Tektronix TDSVNM application software for the efficient testing and debugging of low-speed serial buses including Can (controller area network) and Lin (local interconnect network) networks
The TDSVNM software runs on the TDS5000B series of digital phosphor oscilloscopes (DPOs), which are also supplied by TTi in the UK.
The use of low-speed serial buses is increasing, especially with in-vehicle networks connecting doors, seats, dashboard, airbag, engine parts, steering, and gearbox.
To effectively design and integrate network nodes, engineers need to measure node performance including oscillator tolerance, propagation delay and Can eye diagrams, and to analyse protocol activities to ensure reliable performance of the vehicle network.
TDSVNM is the only software application that performs Can and Lin timing and protocol analysis, measures oscillator tolerance and propagation delay, guides the user in setting the optimum sample point, and simultaneously decodes time-correlated Can and Lin messages.
Advanced 'if/then/else' trigger capabilities help the designer to ensure reliable and seamless operation of the Can/Lin network.
Through integrated timing analysis with protocol information, designers can use the TDS5000B series oscilloscopes to quickly isolate the problems to either the physical layer or the data link layer.
Oscillator tolerance and propagation delay measurements quickly indicate synchronisation problems whenever a new Can/Lin node is added to the network.
The ability to simultaneously decode Can and Lin messages using two channels enables designers to monitor different segments of the network for locating communication problems across gateways, while measuring a Can eye diagram enables the designer to observe the noise content in the Can message.
The TDSVNM software enables customers to set trigger conditions based on the content of a Can message.
Trigger conditions are then downloaded at run-time to an automotive trigger module developed by Crescent Heart Software.
The ATM1 trigger module provides advanced Can bus trigger capabilities to the TDS5000B oscilloscope, triggering on conditions in real time.
The TDSVNM software, along with the ATM1 trigger module, helps to pinpoint the cause of a problem through a unique ability to trigger with 'if/then/else' conditions for Can and Lin network problems, enabling customers to solve electrical problems at the physical layer, and software issues at OSI layers.
