Accutest introduces the FlightRecorder - FR1000, a new tool to help vehicle development engineers record and manage data for evaluation, statistical analysis and troubleshooting.
Accutest introduces the FlightRecorder - FR1000, a new tool to help vehicle development engineers record and manage data for evaluation, statistical analysis and troubleshooting.
In the development phase of a new vehicle, engineers would like to access the data relevant to particular events, but need to filter it to their particular requirements, in order to avoid being swamped.
With CAN based systems, the large amount of data makes the problem especially difficult.
With the introduction of the FR1000, there is now an answer.
Consisting of a small, rugged, aluminium 'black box' measuring 160 x 134 x 44 mm that can be mounted in the engine compartment, the cab or under the vehicle, the FlightRecorder can record multiple events on non- volatile flash cards.
The unit operates on 8 to 30 V DC and so is suitable for cars, trucks, buses, agricultural and construction equipment and a host of other everyday and military vehicles. Power consumption is only 300 mA in normal operation and a mere 10 mA in sleep mode.
It will operate reliably in all conditions between -30 and +70C.
Flash cards are available from 8 to 300 Mb to store up to 15 Million messages and there is error frame detection and recording, plus time stamping to a resolution of 10usecs.
The unit is configurable for multi-trigger start/stop recording, continuous recording with a circular buffer, manual or event triggered start/stop, and single shot or repetitive recording with configurable pre and post trigger buffers - each on 2 separate CAN channels.
Normal configuration is via a PC running Windows 95, 98 or NT4, but there is also a keypad option to allow monitoring or re-configuration on the move.
Triggered events are signalled to the PC or via an SMS message on the GSM mobile phone network.
Collected data can be downloaded directly to the PC, via the flash card or via the GSM mobile phone network.
It is also possible to re-configure the FlightRecorder remotely anywhere in the world via the GSM link.
Development tools such as the Accutest CANalyzer can use the collected data, in order to obtain an off-line replay of the messages on the CAN network(s).
As well as linking with a CAN bus, the FR1000 has four analogue and eight digital I/O channels, allowing direct connection to sensors and actuators.
Coming soon, will be a Basenode unit to allow multiple analogue and digital channels to be connected to a third independent CAN network on the FR1000 and a connection to the diagnostic network for real time diagnostics via GSM.
The collection and evaluation of accurate event data has long been a nightmare for development engineers.
Now, with the FR1000 they have an affordable and efficient tool to make it cost-effective and simple.
