Softing SVI – Smart Vehicle Interface
Innovative Interface for Vehicle Communication in the Gigabit Range
The Smart Vehicle Interface Softing SVI is a highly efficient platform for modern ECU communication. High-performance solutions, for example for ECU programming with Gigabit Ethernet or CAN FD, can be realized with the integrated diagnostic system Softing SDE. These solutions can work independently but can also be integrated into the backend infrastructure or addressed remotely via state-of-the-art wireless interfaces, such as WiFi 6 or 5G.
The system will be available from 2025.
Areas of Application
- High-speed flashing in production without network load
- In vehicle development for quick tests on test vehicles or integration boards, including remote access
- Reading out the vehicle health status with feedback via 5G to the cloud, e.g. in vehicle testing
- Vehicle programming including downloading new software via 5G, e.g. in road tests
- Diagnosis of defective vehicles directly on the road, ordering of required spare parts in the workshop
- Offer and implementation of per-use models in aftersales
Benefits
- Cost savings due to transmission of functions and applications to just one device
- Maximum speed with controlled gigabit flashing
- Great freedom for integration into the process and system landscape
- Scalability of the solution with decentral process sequences
- Ruggedized housing for harsh operating environments
- Focus on customers: realization of new business models, such as pay-per-use models
Overview
Software-defined Vehicles Bring Major Changes
The software-defined vehicle (SDV) presents the automotive industry with challenges such as shorter development cycles, increasingly complex software and new vehicle architectures. Software is integrated on a regular basis and the increase in data volumes requires efficient handling methods. Regular software updates are necessary to rectify errors and continuously improve system performance.
The development toward software-defined vehicles and new E/E architectures places high demands on diagnostics, vehicle access and data management. Data transmission rates of 10 Gbit/s to both the vehicle and the infrastructure are already possible for the large volumes of data that are transferred. The scalability of the solution, efficient system access and authorization management, as well as simple integration with a wide range of backend systems are all crucial.
A Challenge – Flash Programming in Manufacturing
Manufacturing in particular poses enormous, sometimes contradictory requirements: On the one hand, the increasing volumes of data must be reliably programmed into the ECUs in the vehicle in the specified cycle of the assembly line. A wired solution is ideal for this as it is not dependent on external factors of the wireless connections, such as access points and channel assignments. At the same time, the aim is to always have the latest data available for all vehicle types manufactured in one production line and to have full flexibility in assembly. Wireless connections are essential for this. It is therefore necessary to combine the specific “fixed” functionality of a cable solution with the flexibility of a wireless one.
Diagnostics in Engineering
As soon as several ECUs are integrated, whether in bus integration, a functional mock-up (FMU) or in pre-series vehicles, the devices under test (DUT) are centralized. In these cases, not always having to use the laptop with a VCI and cables can be very efficient. A small integrated device also enables quick test tasks, such as programming an individual ECU or recording the installation status, without any problems. Integration into the infrastructure via WiFi allows data distribution in both directions and also enables remote access to the device under test. The above applies in particular to road tests, where access to backend systems must take place via the 5G phone connection.
Solution Overview
Softing SVI combines a standard smart device with a high-end VCI and an SSD in compact housing. Diverse diagnostic applications can quickly be realized thanks to the integration of Softing SDE as the diagnostic system.
VCI
The integrated high-end VCI is equipped with CAN/FD, 100BASE-Ethernet and 1000BASE-Ethernet and is therefore prepared for all eventualities. Both modern gigabit flash solutions and legacy diagnostics can be carried out with one device. The device is also already BroadR-Reach/Automotive Ethernet ready.
SSD
A high-performance solid state drive makes it possible to store vehicle data for a large number of vehicle types and variants. This data can be retrieved and saved from the backend at high speed and can also be read rapidly at programming time.
Smart Device
The integrated smart device provides the necessary system environment: a fast multi-core processor for program execution, the display for status and diagnostic data, a battery for uninterrupted vehicle changes and standby times of several days, various wireless connections for integration into backend and cloud systems. Features such as GPS can also be easily integrated for special applications.
Software
Real-time-critical parts of the diagnostic protocols are processed on the integrated VCI so that any critical timing can also be adhered to at all times. The operating systems Android and Linux run parallel on the smart device: Softing SDE, the connection to the SSD and the linking of the wireless connections are processed via a Linux installation in order to gain comprehensive control. The virtualization via dockers enables simple deployment of Softing SDE, but also of customer applications. A user interface can be developed very easily on the Android. Integration with other Softing products (e.g. Softing DTS) is also possible trouble-free.
Connect
The Connect module can be used to load vehicle data onto the device or extract reports from the device via cable in areas where a wireless connection is not possible.
Applications
Programming in Manufacturing
Softing SVI is first “loaded” with vehicle data on the belt/production line. This can be done locally or remotely with the help of device management (e.g. via MQTT or rsync). It can then be plugged into the OBD port of any vehicle. The vehicle and Softing SVI are defined precisely due to the reading out of the VIN. This means programming can take place automatically. The duration is fully determined due to the cable connection to the vehicle. The status is shown on the display at all times. If required, new data can be transferred asynchronously to the device via the wireless interface at any time.
Remote Diagnostics on the Prototype Vehicle
Softing SVI with a corresponding application enables diagnostics in the prototype vehicle at any time, whether initiated manually or automatically: Examples are error memory operations or the loading of coding strings. Data can be extracted from the backend via WiFi at any time. If more in-depth diagnostics is necessary, the device can also easily be used as a proxy for remote diagnostics.
Vehicle Status and Programming During a Road Test
For quality control purposes, the vehicle health state is read out regularly during the road test. It is easy for an employee to use Softing SVI to do this during a break. The data collected is then either stored directly in the cloud via 5G or bundled at the end of the day via a WiFi connection for evaluation. If individual ECUs need to be programmed, this is done accordingly.
| Technical Information | |
| Housing | Synthetic housing with rubber protective frame, approx. 220*113*30 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 650 g |
| Power supply | Internal battery, charging option via USB-C (5 V), OBD (8-32 V) or external charging station (10-15V) |
| Current consumption | Max. 12 W |
| SSD | Either 1TByte or 2TBytes |
| Interface | Ethernet in accordance with IEE 802.3 (10Base-T, 100Base-TX, 1000Base-T), USB-C 3.x WiFi6E, 4G/5G |
| Vehicle interface | 100Base-TX, 1000 Base-T1 BroadR-Reach, CAN/FD |
| Cable length | Extrenal cable, if required with push-pull round connector (14-pin) |
| Status display | Touch display |
| Temperature range | Storage -20 … + 60°C / Operation 0 … + 40° C Relative humidity: 10% to 80% at 25°C non-condensing |
| Rating | IP54 |
| Software interfaces | Integrated Softing SDE as diagnostic runtime system in connection with ODX and OTX data |
| Miscellaneous | Wake-Up on CAN |
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