National Instruments Introduces High-Performance FlexRay and CAN Interfaces

National Instruments has announced NI-XNET CAN and FlexRay embedded network interfaces, which help engineers working in industries such as automotive and aerospace quickly prototype, simulate and test next-generation FlexRay and controller area network (CAN) devices and networks. The NI-XNET embedded networks platform consists of 14 new high-performance PCI- and PXI-based interfaces for FlexRay and CAN and a new, universal API for rapid application development. The platform is designed for demanding applications, such as hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and end-of-line test, which require hundreds of signals and submillisecond latency.

Found predominantly in the automotive industry, CAN and FlexRay buses are used to facilitate communication between electronic control units (ECUs) within a system such as a vehicle. While CAN has been used for more than 20 years, the need for additional bandwidth, synchronization and redundancy led to the recent introduction of the next-generation FlexRay bus, which is 20 times faster than CAN. Automotive engineers increasingly are using a combination of the two buses. However, developing prototype, test and measurement systems that can communicate with both networks is challenging, costly and complex.

The NI-XNET platform delivers a single API for both CAN and FlexRay networks and devices so that the same software can run on either network without rewriting code. To simplify application development, the API and hardware translate signals from scaled units to raw network data with native signal database integration. NI-XNET software includes a signal database editor that makes it possible to import and edit database files in industry-standard formats such as FIBEX and .DBC, giving engineers the ability to manage any design changes that impact the network data. The software also provides a bus monitor utility, which makes it possible for engineers to quickly view, log and diagnose bus data for simplified troubleshooting.

The NI-XNET API seamlessly integrates with NI LabVIEW software, making it easy for engineers to access and make changes to system-level data or signals in an easy-to-use graphical programming environment. When used with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, NI-XNET interfaces deliver true determinism and reliability, which is essential for applications such as HIL and production test.

Offered in PCI and PXI formats, NI-XNET high-performance hardware includes two FlexRay interfaces and 12 CAN interfaces. Available in one- or two-port versions, these interfaces help engineers increase the speed of their simulations by providing a powerful onboard processor dedicated to each port to offload intensive tasks such as cyclic CAN message broadcasting. They also provide NI device-driven DMA technology for faster streaming of data to the host application as well as reduced jitter and CPU loads. In addition to support for LabVIEW, NI-XNET devices feature APIs for NI LabWindows™/CVI, C and C++. For complex system testing, simulation and prototyping, the interfaces are easily synchronized with external instrumentation such as NI data acquisition and vision products and NI PXI modular instruments including digitizers and oscilloscopes.

Readers can visit www.ni.com/info and enter XNET to learn more about the NI-XNET platform.