FlexRay™

The Next-Generation In-Vehicle Network

The introduction of the new FlexRay communication protocol opens the door for future Automotive applications like X-by-wire, requiring enhanced safety features compared to today's automotive network systems. Fujitsu integrates FlexRay into its Automotive-proven 16-bit and 32-bit Microcontrollers and in doing so completes its product portfolio dedicated to the Automotive market.

The evolution of today's automobiles into highly integrated, safe, comfortable and reliable systems push the requirements for the automotive bus systems to the next level. The dramatic increase of multiple sensors, actuators and control systems require the combination of higher data rates, deterministic behaviour and fault tolerance making FlexRay the perfect backbone bus system. Flexibility in both bandwidth and system extension will also be key attributes as the need for increased functionality and on-board diagnostics also increases.

The first applications that will deploy FlexRay are chassis- and powertrain applications preparing the ground for the first x-by-wire applications which are estimated to become available around the end of this decade. As a member of the FlexRay consortium since 2002, Fujitsu is working to develop next-generation automotive by-wire applications.

With its wide range of products including CAN and LIN interface, Fujitsu's MCUs are the genuine solution for automotive applications such as body and comfort electronics, climate control, dashboards, infotainment & navigation, safety & sensor electronics, power-train control, chassis electronics and data backbone. The new FlexRay products will complete Fujitsu's offerings towards the automotive market.

Since September 2005 Fujitsu presented the first FlexRay communication controller to the market based on the ERAY protocol core by BOSCH. Meanwhile a second device MB88121A is available that supports the most recent protocol specification 2.1. It will be followed by MB88121B that will assure full compliance to the FlexRay protocol as it will be proven with respective test pattern currently under development at parities contracted by the FlexRay consortium.

The first MCUs with integrated FlexRay communication channels will be available in 2006. In order to empower customers to start their system development and design flow for FlexRay-based applications, Fujitsu has offered development tools like FPGA-based FlexRay-boards since 2005 and the new FlexRay starter kit available since December 2005 featuring the MB91F467D MCU and MB88121A.