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.

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