areuBox

Restbus simulation and real-time data logger

Today’s automobiles are complex networks consisting of numerous interdependent control units. In order to test individual control units and software versions outside the vehicle, it is usually necessary to simulate the vehicle peripherals – the so-called residual bus simulation. The areuBox makes this simple and cost-effective. The areuBox is freely configurable by the user and can be controlled via an app from mobile devices such as a smartphone or tablet.

In addition to the residual bus simulation, the areuBox can also be used as a real-time data logger that records the data either on an SD card or an external hard disk. As the areuBox requires only minimal software knowledge, even in complex scenarios, it is the ideal tool for rapid prototyping. Extensive testing tasks can be easily implemented thanks to the cluster capability.

Possible applications

Complex remaining bus simulation
Ignition simulation
ECALL simulation
Ethernet simulation
Data acquisition
Rapid prototyping
Audio signal injection / processing
ECU / bus data visualization
Mobile and in-car tests
Decentralized testing at different vehicle positions
and much more.

Simply strong—the Lua scripting engine

Simulation logic and test sequences are described in an easy-to-learn scripting language. Despite its extensive options, the scripting engine can be used without a lot of programming knowledge. A large variety of modules contribute to a flexible, cost-effective solution. areuBox combines comfortable editing, debugging and simulation on PC with a compact housing.

Further information

Hardware

Core system

CAN

Two independent CAN controllers
ISO 11898-1:2015 (CAN 2.0 A,B)-compliant
CANFD 1.0-compliant
Baud rate up to 5 Mbit
High-resolution message timestamps
Support for BUS power management
Wake-up through bus activity
Wake-up by CAN message ID

FlexRay

Dedicated protocol coprocessor
Support for variable bit rates: 2.5, 5, 8 or 10 Mbit/s
Message filtering
DMA-based high-performance transmission path with low latency
Support for power management and bus cold start

LIN

Configurable as LIN master / slave
Bit rate up to 1 Mbit / s

OK

6 digital I/O ports (configurable as PWM inputs/outputs)
External power supply with possible for tests with over/undervoltage

Power supply

Flexible power supply via 12V power supply unit, UBatt or USB interface
USB bus powered, no additional power supply unit required for USB operation on PC or USB hub
USB power supply for external devices
Plug & Play laboratory solution
Measurement and recording of UBatt

SD card

Card can be easily removed without opening the housing
Contains test scripts and residual bus simulation data
Can be used for data storage
Configuration of test tasks by simply swapping the SD card

Extension interfaces

I²C interface for flexible expansion options
I²S interface for audio expansion

Ethernet

100 Mbit interface for low latency / high throughput
Gbit Ethernet 5-port switch for 4 external interfaces
VLAN support

Control option

Control option via mobile device (smartphone, tablet)
Enables appealing and complex user interfaces
wireless-compliant
Data rates up to 40 Kbyte/sec.

USB host / slave

USB 2.0 host interfaces for connecting peripherals
Flexible profile support (HID, mass storage, ….)
USB 2.0 slave interface for PC connectivity

Software

Scripting engine

Simple and powerful to use
Contains test / simulation logic
Convenient editing / debugging / simulation on the PC
Automatic script generation from .dbc / .xlsx files

Cluster capability

Several areuBoxes can be connected together to form a network
Master synchronizes the cluster and provides connection to the GUI
Slaves take over functions of the remaining bus simulation
In addition, the master can actively take over tasks of the remaining bus simulation
Cluster synchronization via Ethernet / wireless