NI unveils CAN/Flexray embedded network interfaces
A
National Instruments product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 26, 2009
National Instruments (NI) has introduced NI-XNET controller area network (CAN) and Flexray embedded network interfaces.
The interfaces are intended to help engineers working in industries such as automotive and aerospace to quickly prototype, simulate and test next-generation Flexray and CAN devices and networks.
The NI-XNET embedded networks platform consists of 14 high-performance PCI- and PXI-based interfaces for Flexray and CAN and a 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 sub-millisecond 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, synchronisation and redundancy led to the recent introduction of the next-generation Flexray bus, which is 20 times faster than CAN.
Automotive engineers are increasingly 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, according to the company.
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.
The 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 affect 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 integrates with the NI Labview software, making it simple for engineers to access and make changes to system-level data or signals in a 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, the 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 the faster streaming of data to the host application as well as reduced jitter and central-processing-unit (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 can be synchronised with external instrumentation such as NI data acquisition and vision products and NI PXI modular instruments, including digitisers and oscilloscopes.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact National Instruments
Tel +44 1635 523545
Other National Instruments stories
-
Registration opens for NIDays 2009 event
Registration is now open for NIDays 2009, an annual development conference hosted by National Instruments (NI) UK and Ireland, which will take place on 27 November at Savoy Place in London. -
Labview toolkit performs internet-like searches
National Instruments has announced the release of the NI Labview Datafinder Toolkit, an extension of the Labview graphical system design platform. -
NI Veristand creates real-time testing
National Instruments has announced NI Veristand 2009, an open, configuration-based software environment for creating real-time testing applications. -
National offers PXI Express chassis
National Instruments has introduced a low-cost PXI Express chassis and controller options for automated test and measurement applications -
NI and Solidworks offer prototyping tools
National Instruments (NI) and Dassault Systemes Solidworks have announced their collaboration on a mechatronics tool that helps engineers to lower the cost and risk of motion-system design.
Browse by category
-
Capital Equipment (3,429)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (522)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,108)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (65)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (942)
- Consultancy and Services (909)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,073)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (808)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (187)
- Control and Instrumentation (2)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (295)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (202)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,187)
- Plantwide control (1,338)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (570)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (388)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,402)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,285)
- Industrial Motors (500)
- Linear Drives and Motors (117)
- Precision Motors and Gears (420)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,077)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,213)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (559)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (695)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (636)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (1)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (371)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (713)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (426)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (812)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,245)
- 2D CAD software (201)
- 3D CAD software (1,163)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (572)
- Data, document management software (315)
- Electrical design software (165)
- Engineering Design Software (15)
- FEA and structural analysis software (374)
- File conversion software, data capture (355)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (320)
- PLM and collaboration software (652)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (264)
- Publishing and documentation software (233)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (201)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (929)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,146)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Conferences (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (845)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (568)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (357)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (636)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Seminars (405)
- Engineering Training Courses (443)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (176)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (280)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (115)
- Machine Building (4,573)
-
Materials and Processing (2,998)
- Materials and components (2,241)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials processing and testing (288)
- Rapid Prototyping (464)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,548)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (479)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (498)
- Data loggers (423)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (636)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (737)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (446)
- Materials testing equipment (420)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (156)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (510)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,242)
-
Powertrain Design (3,654)
- Bearings (960)
- Chains and belts (330)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,456)
- Hydraulic Components (473)
- Lubricants (431)
- Powertrain Design (3)
-
Sensors (7,155)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (436)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (624)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (286)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (155)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (529)
- Linear Position Sensors (408)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (712)
- Pressure sensors (626)
- Proximity Sensors (708)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (551)
- Sensors (8)
- Temperature sensors (613)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,396)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,989)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,664)
