Improving automotive ECU performance

SymTA/S 3.8 and TraceAnalyzer 3.8 includes a range of new network analyses for Ethernet, CAN and FlexRay. New Ethernet analyses are provided for worst case load analysis with Ethernet message data rates provided and load sending on each port and for the switch; worst case latency analysis for Ethernet messages ad networks, end-to-end paths with Ethernet messages and at the system level with ECUs and networks; and AVB message shaping with message configuration independent of class-based shaping at the sender and shaping at the switches.

For CAN and FlexRay networks, Protocol Data Units (PDUs) are now supported allowing frame sizes to be retrieved from PDU sizes and PDU sizes to be retrieved from mapped signals and signal groups. A new variant management feature allows the configuration of multiple variants of a baseline system with each variant able to describe the changes and automatic instantiation of the variants as separate SymTA/S systems.

Improved ECU features include a new results dashboard for ECU timing assessment which provides an overview of the most relevant results and a traffic light system to indicate the status of the system. A new multi-trace import function allows the import of multiple traces into one system either from scratch as a new system or as a merge into existing systems. This allows statistical trace analyses to be undertaken of several measurements with increased sample sizes to improve confidence in results, and the comparison of traces of different system situations take account of such things as software revisions, for example.

SymTA/S 3.8 and TraceAnalyzer 3.8 also includes a range of new and improved usability features, foremost amongst which are updated charts providing a more modern look and feel, speedier working with huge systems comprising more than 10,000 elements achieved through better filters for improved focus, and better reactivity and performance - and a new drop-down button for starting system analysis or either worst case or system distribution analyses only.

Interface support has also been significantly improved with Python scripting updated to version 2.7 enabling new Python constructs and libraries, a marker for errors and warnings accessible in scripting and SOAP, the import of SOME/IP headers from AUTOSAR 4, the deletion of Gantt charts, and the running of scripting wizards as batch mode scripts. Additionally, a prototype function and data flow modelling capability has been introduced.

“We have continued to push the boundaries of timing design, analysis and verification with the launch of SymTA/S 3.8 and TraceAnalyzer 3.8,” said Dr. Kai Richter, CTO of Symtavision. “With the growing importance of Ethernet networking in the automotive sector, especially in the emerging driver assistance and automated driving domains, we have further enhanced our capabilities in this area and the other more traditional automotive networking technologies, as well as delivered improved features and functionality for ECUs. We have also continued to improve the overall usability of the tools both in terms of their look and feel and the speed of working.”

Symtavision will be demonstrating SymTA/S 3.8 and TraceAnalyzer 3.8 at the annual embedded world exhibition in Nürnberg, Germany from 23rd-25th February 2016 (Hall 4, Stand 339).