Flexray - A Standard Becomes Reality: First Experiences with the Implementation of Real Network Architectures

The FlexRay specifications have been available for some time. During this period considerable effort has been invested to implement the first FlexRay networks. This paper reports on the first experiences of implementing real networks, specifically in designing the communication controller and developing the layout of the entire FlexRay network architecture. In both cases one major challenge was how to verify that the system worked in all the possible configurations available with the numerous set up parameters on offer. It is shown that a method of constrained random-test based simulations solves this problem and notably supports full system development. Variants of the method were used for validation of the protocol specification, verification of the Protocol Engine, selection of the Controller Host Interface concept and investigation of the physical limits of different network topologies.