New evaluation platform for FlexRay implementations

NEC Electronics, YDC, and DECOMSYS present DECOMSYS::NODE<V850>

DUESSELDORF, Germany, VIENNA, Austria, — 28 Jul 2005 --  In a joint project, NEC Electronics, YDC and DECOMSYS developed an evaluation platform for NEC Electronics FlexRay implementations. The DECOMSYS::NODE<V850> was designed and built by Yokogawa Digital Computer Corporation (YDC) utilizing NEC Electronics’ V850 CPU and FlexRay driver and demo applications by DECOMSYS. This board allows engineers to evaluate basic FlexRay features and prepare their applications for forthcoming NEC Electronics devices with embedded FlexRay.

The DECOMSYS::NODE<V850> addresses two major areas. One is evaluating FlexRay, either the NEC Electronics implementation or the Bosch E-Ray IP. The other is providing hands-on experience with FlexRay applications. Three small demo programs – supplied in source code – facilitate the handling of FlexRay in standard situations. The demos can be modified according to requirements. With the DECOMSYS::DESIGNER it is also possible to change the given bus configuration. The DECOMSYS::NODE<V850> comes with a simple and easy-to-use set of system software including an object code license for DECOMSYS::COMMSTACK.

The DECOMSYS::NODE<850> is equipped with NEC Electronics’ V850E/IA1 CPU and an FPGA (Altera Cyclone II) on a sub-board to ease interchangeability. The Cyclone II FPGA is used for the Bosch E-Ray FlexRay controller. Besides two FlexRay channels, the DECOMSYS::NODE<V850> offers one high-speed CAN as well as two RS232 interfaces, 512 KB SRAM and 2 MB Flash ROM. Debugging is made easier by more than 130 debug pins (some of them freely programmable) and the optional use of in-circuit emulators (thanks to the in-socket CPU). Two freely programmable 7-segment LEDs, 8 DIP switches, and 12 LEDs further increase the flexibility and applicability of this evaluation board.

"Making an application fit seamlessly into a new network architecture is probably one of the biggest tasks for a developer. That makes it all the more important for the developer to be ready in time for this revolution. The DECOMSYS::NODE<V850> is the perfect platform to start this challenging task right away,” says Gerd Look, General Manager of the Automotive Business Unit within NEC Electronics Europe.

"To make this start as fast and efficient as possible, the developer gets everything he needs in order to experiment with a FlexRay application, to modify the demos, and to learn how to handle FlexRay in standard situations", says Michael Sprachmann, Managing Partner of DECOMSYS.

About DECOMSYS
DECOMSYS GmbH is the leading solutions provider for FlexRay, the coming communication standard for automotive electronics. FlexRay enables new features and applications for more safety, economy, fun, and comfort in the car. Engineers at OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers around the world use DECOMSYS design tools, monitoring solutions, and prototyping hardware. They also count on the comprehensive services, e.g. chip design, testing, trainings, engineering, and customized software development. As an active member of both the FlexRay Consortium and AUTOSAR, DECOMSYS is especially proud to be a basic software provider for the first FlexRay series projects. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, DECOMSYS has a subsidiary in Germany, the USA, and soon in Japan.

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About NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH

NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH, headquartered in Duesseldorf, Germany, is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor products in Europe. Committed to meeting customers' cost, performance and time-to-market requirements, the company offers solutions ranging from standard products to system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, as well as customized products for next-generation designs. NEC Electronics also offers customers the benefit of state-of-the-art manufacturing locally in Europe, besides the global production of its parent company, NEC Electronics Corporation. Additionally, NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH is the exclusive European sales and marketing channel of LCD modules from NEC LCD Technologies Ltd.. For more information visit http://www.eu.necel.com.