The world’s first dual FlexRay star coupler

With the active star coupler up to two branches of a FlexRay™ network can be connected to each other. For this purpose, the ELMOS component provides two independent physical bus drivers for transmitting and receiving FlexRay™ data frames. Configuration and microcontroller-based mode control as well as the exchange of diagnostic information make use of the SPI compatible host controller interface. The also implemented interface connected to a communication controller makes it possible to use the component E981.57 as a standard transceiver. Apart from that, autonomous operation with the star coupler functioning as a repeater is possible entirely without connection to a controller.

With its two channels, the E981.57 represents the entry-level model. ELMOS also offers a four-port star coupler (E981.56). The four-port star coupler is available in the same package. Thus ELMOS customers have the opportunity to set up layout systems with 2/4/6/8 combinations on the same circuit boards and assemble them as required. If only one channel is needed, the E981.55 FlexRay™ transceiver can be used. A large number of options for scaling the FlexRay™ network are therefore made available. All FlexRay™ transceivers referred to here feature “wake-up” functionality.

The component E981.56/57 comes in a QFN package of 9mm edge length with 44 pins. It is designed for a temperature range between -40°C and +125°C and a supply voltage range of 5.5 V to 18 V. Qualification according to AEC-Q100 has been completed successfully.