Software Services in Automotive Class A and B Multiplex Applications

As multiplex hardware moves toward standardization, vehicle multiplex network devices will require increased software support for application specific services. The use of software engineering principles and the design of a Common Software Interface between the application program and the logical device (hardware and physical interface software) enables more efficient software development and allows for software reusability.

This paper explores concepts for Software Services in lower data rate multiplex multi-master network architectures. As both Object-Oriented design and the C++ language are shown to offer advanced programming methods for implementing these services, a summary of how they aid in the overall application specific services is shown. Finally, a proposal for a Common Software Interface for multiplex applications is discussed.