FlexRay BRAIN Fusion A FlexRay-Based Braided Ring Availability Integrity Network

The paper introduces an alternative guardian strategy for FlexRay Networks. Unlike current guardian schemes that require dedicated local or central guardian components, the BRAIN (Braided Ring Availability Integrity Network) guardian enables the guardian function to be integrated into a FlexRay controller. The paper provides a general overview of the BRAIN together with a brief review of the FlexRay guardian responsibilities. The BRAIN is largely transparent to FlexRay operation; however, a detailed discussion of protocol parameterization is included together with a general discussion of BRAIN-based FlexRay deployment considerations. Extensions of the BRAIN to reduce software middle layer and application complexity are also briefly summarized.