Symtavision adds Ethernet timing analysis to SymTA/S

“We have added Ethernet timing analysis to SymTA/S in response to the automotive industry’s introduction of Ethernet to meet growing in-vehicle network bandwidth requirements,” said Dr Marek Jersak, CEO of Symtavision. “Over the past two years, we have collaborated tightly with premium automotive OEMs and leading universities to create an Ethernet timing analysis solution that enables OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to plan, optimize and verify timing when introducing Ethernet. A unique capability of Symtavision’s solution is the integration of our new Ethernet timing analysis with our well-established analyses for CAN, FlexRay and AUTOSAR-based ECUs. This enables end-to-end timing analysis for distributed functions via Ethernet, as well as connecting Ethernet to legacy CAN and FlexRay networks via gateways”.

The SymTA/S Ethernet analysis capability focuses on timing design and verification for both standard IP Ethernet (Layer 3) and Audio Video Bridging (AVB). The SymTA/S Ethernet model covers entire Ethernet networks including ECUs, switches, ports, messages, PDUs and links which can be directly combined with other bus systems like FlexRay and CAN, in addition to white box or black box gateways. Furthermore, the model supports the co-existence of internal ECU scheduling and Ethernet communication, including any triggering and synchronization requirements. The model can also be scripted for easy tool chain integration and model transformation of existing Ethernet communication matrices.

The SymTA/S Ethernet analysis capability covers different communication priorities, MTU sizes, scheduling strategies, and transmission rates as individual rates per port as well as automatic end-to-end hop resolution, static routes, traffic classes, and single cast, broadcast and multicast communication, including multiple hops over switches for star or other topologies. Statistical metrics are provided for load and load-over-time of each port or on a switch as well as buffer fill levels as absolute or as over-time values for each port and switch. In addition, response times are provided for each Ethernet message and data communication paths can be observed for different end-to-end scenarios. Each result can be validated against constraints and the timing can be debugged individually through Gantt chart visualization, including point-of-interest functions such as deadline violations.