- dSpace reports that it has developed its MicroAutoBox III real-time system to meet the increased requirements of prototyping applications for the development of autonomous or electric vehicles, as well as the growing demands for connectivity and security in the development of functions, require the ramp-up of embedded prototyping systems.
According to Dspace, its new MicroAutoBox, equipped with a four-core ARM processor, provides up to 16 times more power than MicroAutoBox II on each of its cores. This makes it possible to better support complex control algorithms that require a lot of computing power. In addition, large models can be run with 64 MB of flash memory and 2 GB of DDR4 RAM.
MicroAutoBox III is available in the I/O variants of MicroAutoBox II. This allows migration to the new system using existing cabling. Each version of the MicroAutoBox III has three Ethernet ports (Gigabit Ethernet) for host connection, two standard automotive Ethernet ports (100/1000 BASE-T1) and other services. A WiFi option allowing wireless access will be available as well as a new DS1521 version of the MicroAutoBox III which will cover vehicle networking and offer various network and car bus interfaces. This variant is particularly suitable for developments addressing the centralization of the E/E architecture, such as high-level controllers or gateway applications.
The Configurationdesk implementation and configuration software with the Bus Manager tool allows users of the manufacturer’s Scalexio range of systems to reuse their models (Simulink, FMU) and I/O configurations to migrate to the MicroAutoBox III for Scalexio systems and vice versa.
For various applications, such as the development of driver assistance systems, dSpace has found that PC systems are often used in addition to real-time systems. The company will soon offer its own integrated PC, equipped with an Intel Xeon processor and 10 Gbit Ethernet interfaces for the MicroAutoBox III. This Embedded PC can be used in the same housing as the MicroAutoBox III, which will save space, or as an independent system. It will be adapted to different Linux and Windows based applications and will be able to run Controldesk or RTMaps for example.
dSpace simplifies the transition from MicroAutoBox II to the new system by offering the possibility of reusing existing wiring and providing a script to convert RTI models to ConfigurationDesk models.
# Overview of MicroAutoBox III platform specifications :
- TI AM5K2E04 with four ARM Cortex-A15 cores (1.4 GHz)
- Memory: 2 GB DDR4 RAM, 64 MB fl ash memory
- Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option
- Three-level functional safety concept
- Gigabit Ethernet host and I/O interfaces
- Gigabit automotive Ethernet I/O interface
- Synchronization based on IEEE802.1AS or TSN; support for VLANs
- WLAN option
- USB mass storage interface for data logging
- Analog and digital I/O; bus and network interfaces (CAN, CAN FD, LIN, FlexRay, (automotive) Ethernet); I/O capabilities depend on MicroAutoBox III variant
- Shock and vibration tested (ISO 16750-3:2007)
- Operating temperature (passive cooling): -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 175 °F)
- Vehicle battery supply voltage: 12V, 24V, 48V
- Software tool chain: support of ControlDesk, Confi gurationDesk, Bus Manager, etc.
