This document discusses the FlexRay protocol. It was developed for automotive applications as CAN was insufficient for new electronic systems with real-time requirements. FlexRay supports higher data rates, flexible topologies, and fault tolerance. It divides communication into static and dynamic segments for hard and soft real-time messages. Nodes synchronize clocks to support time-critical applications. FlexRay enables next-generation in-car control systems with speeds up to 20Mbps.

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The FlexRay protocol
Master Of Control Systems
Wissam Kafa
June 17, 2014

2. Outline
1 Introduction
2 Why FlexRay?
3 Network Topology
4 Structure of a FlexRay Node
5 FlexRay configuration: Cycle Segments
6 Clock Synchronization
7 Summary-Conclusion
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3. 1 Introduction
• FlexRay: A Communication Protocol in distributed systems within
automotive context.
• developed by the FlexRay consortium (BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Mo-
torola, Philips) founded in 1999.
• since 1999 many well-known companies joined (e.g. Bosch, GM,
VW, Mazda, etc.)
• aim: fast, flexible, fault-tolerant communication protocol.
• FlexRay was used for the first time in BMW X5 model in 2007.
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4. 2 Why FlexRay?
• X-by-wire Technique
steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire,. . .
• Hydraulic steering and braking is replaced by an electronic system
of sensors and actuators.
• Over years these new tasks have increased the requirements of the
communication between control units.
• CAN is not sufficient any more.
Real-time capabilities are not supported because of bit arbitra-
tion
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5. 3 Network Topology
Figure 1: some possible FlexRay Network topologies (a) Passive bus. (b)
Active star. (c) Hybrid topology
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6. Passive Bus Topology
Figure 2: Passive Bus Topology
A node can be connected to one or both channels A and B.
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7. Active Star Topology
Figure 3: Active Star Topology
- free of closed rings.
- Received Signal is driven to all connected nodes.
- A node could be connected to a maximum of two star couplers.
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8. Hybrid Topology
Figure 4: Hybrid Topology
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9. 4 Structure of a FlexRay Node
Figure 5: Structure of a FlexRay Node
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10. FlexRay Node: Host Controller
- Processor to execute the main application.
- It processes the received data.
- Decides what to do, and what to be
sent to the communication controller
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11. FlexRay Node: Communication Controller
- Realizes all functions of the FlexRay pro-
tocol.
- Receives data that should be sent from the
host controller.
- Decides what to do, and what to be sent
to the communication controller.
- Handles the data according to the FlexRay
protocol, and sends them to the bus driver
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12. FlexRay Node: Bus Guardian
- Changes in the supply of a node could oc-
cur.
This could cause defects on the bus.
- Important for the fault-tolerance of the
FlexRay.
- Bus guardian could prevent these defects.
- It organizes sending the data on the bus.
- It prevents the node from sending and re-
ceiving outside its time slots.
- It can Recognize synchronization and com-
munication errors
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13. FlexRay Node: Bus Driver
- Responsible for the connection between
the FlexRay nodes and the bus.
- Sends Data to the Bus.
- Receives Data from the Bus.
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14. 5 FlexRay configuration: Cycle Segments
Figure 6: FlexRay Cycle Segment
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15. FlexRay configuration: Cycle Segments
- The communication on the bus passes in
cycles.
- Each cycle can be divided into three seg-
ments:
- Static segment.
- Dynamic segmentand.
- Symbol segment.
- A cycle is terminated by a network idle
time, the NIT.
- A typical FlexRay cycle takes about 2.5ms.
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16. Cycle Segments: Static Segment
- The static segment is time triggered.
- It is divided into time slots, Each slot has:
- A fixed length.
- ID assigned to a specific control unit.
- Hard real-time requirements possible by
guaranteed latency.
- No delays or collisions could occur.
- A node can be allocated to more than one
slot by clever distribution of slot IDs.
- A Hard real-time application which should
be realized in the static segment:
- Explosion of the airbag.
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17. Cycle Segments: Dynamic Segment
- For reacting flexibly on specific events.
- Event triggered segment.
- It is also divided into slots with IDs.
-If the ID of the actual slot corresponds with
the ID of the control unit, then the control
unit is allowed to send data.
- If a longer message has to be sent, the
time slot of the next node shifts backwards.
- An application for the dynamic segment:
The control of the wipers depending
on the rain sensor.
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18. Cycle Segments: The symbol segment
- In the symbol segment:
FlexRay sends internal control infor-
mation (starting the network).
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19. Cycle Segments: NIT and Frames
Figure 7: FlexRay-Frame
- The Network Idle Time is used for the synchronization of the clocks.
- Each slot corresponds to one frame.
- A frame can contain up to 254 bytes of data.
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20. 6 Clock Synchronization
- Large temperature differences, voltage changes and production
tolerances have a negative influence on the accuracy of the clocks.
- A regular synchronization, especially for real-time and time-critical
applications is essential.
- For correct Operation, each node has to know the start time, the end
time and the number of the actual slots.
- Therefore, all nodes need a common time base.
- The Data rate also depends on the synchronization.
- The synchronization of FlexRay is an internal synchronization algorithm
and is most likely the midpoint algorithm.
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21. Clock Synchronization
- The problem is divided into two aspects:
- Nodes have to compound on a common time (offset correction).
- Nodes have to adjust the time deviation between them (rate
correction).
- Each nodes communication controller has a local clock.
counts in micro-ticks.
- For example a FlexRay network with 10MBit/s scans the bus with
80MHz. One tick of the oscillator correspond 0.0124 us. A micro-tick is
typical twice this time.
- The synchronization of the offset, as well as the rate correction uses
micro-ticks as smallest time unit.
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22. 7 Summary-Conclusion
• FlexRay focuses on a set of core needs for todays automotive indus-
try.
• Higher data rates than previous standards.
• very flexible network topology.
• fault-tolerant operation.
• FlexRay thus delivers the speed and reliability required for next-
generation in-car control systems.
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23. Summary-Conclusion
• The CAN network has reached its highest performance levels with
a maximum speed of 1 Mbps.
• With a maximum data rate of 10 Mbps available on two channels,
A gross data rate of up to 20Mbit/sec.
• Time and Event Triggered Protocol.
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24. Summary-Conclusion
Figure 8: Vehicle-Network-Standards
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25. Summary-Conclusion
Figure 9: Comparision (LIN, CAN, FlexRay)
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Thanks!