Automotive

Test Equipment | Cables – Adapters – Simulations

Simple connecting cables, Breakout Boxes (BOB) and complex ECU adaptions: Individual solutions for maximum reliability in engineering and tests

A large number of different cables, adapters and peripheral simulations are used in the engineering of vehicle electronics, the testing of electronic and electrical components and in component integration into the complete vehicle.  
The use of standard products is rarely possible here. Test equipment specially adapted to the control unit, vehicle series or test environment is nearly always required. 
Nevertheless, the modular system established and introduced at Softing makes it possible for cables, adapters and other test equipment to be realized extremely flexibly and at the same time cost-effectively – always tailored to the specific requirements and the concrete application. 

Our many years of experience in engineering and setting up test equipment pays off. Our solutions are compelling thanks to their durability, quality and maximum reliability.

Portfolio

  • Connecting cables
  • Contacts
  • Breakout boxes
  • Test adapters
  • Connection distributors
  • Lab cars
  • IO simulations

Areas of Application

  • ECU and component engineering
  • Testing and validation (HiL testing, FMUs)
  • Test benches
  • Component testing and release
  • Repair shop and manufacturing
  • Quality assurance

Advantages

  • Top quality thanks to comprehensive know-how and many years of experience
  • Top-quality execution by qualified employees
  • Fast, flexible realization and on-site support
     

Connecting Cables

for ECU connections

Long before connecting cables from series production are available, vehicle ECUs must be reliably and flexibly connected to engineering and test systems. 
Whether with a vehicle connector, with connectors for measuring, load or supply lines – the variety of required designs is enormous. We supply connecting cables for practically every application.
 

Solutions
  • Optionally, flexible or highly flexible
  • Suitable for use in climate chambers, with low or high temperatures
  • Special cables and connectors for special signals (including high frequency, high voltage)
  • With integrated data lines for ECU communication: LIN, CAN, CAN-FD, FlexRay, BroadR-Reach 100 Mbit/1 Gbit Ethernet

Tester Adaptions

for quality assurance

In the areas manufacturing and quality assurance, vehicle electronics and ECUs often have to be connected to test systems in a partially assembled state – without housing and connectors.  
We design and realize suitable test adapters for this purpose. Our adapters guarantee safe contact between the electronics and the tester.  On request, the adapters can also be designed for a very high number of contact cycles at any time.
 

Solutions
  • All-in-one solutions from one source
    • Construction
    • Mechanical manufacturing
    • Setup and wiring
    • Testing and commissioning
    • Support on site
  • Needle-bed insert contacts
  • Hand contacts
  • Passive or active signal conditioning in the test adapter
  • Realization for different test systems: VPC, ODU, Teradyne / GenRad, and others

BOB

Breakout Boxes

In the course of vehicle engineering it is often necessary to directly access IO signals, communication or supply lines of an ECU. Breakout boxes make it possible to disconnect practically all cables connected to the control unit connector individually or to connect them to measuring systems for measuring purposes.

Solutions
  • Different variants for jumpers, grid or connection type possible
  • Robust housing, modular setup
  • Connectors and jacks with original parts from ECUs or cable harnesses – or individual manual contacts
  • Exchangeable fronts for different connector labeling
  • Variably modifiable thanks to magnetic labeling fields

Distribution Box

Variable "ECU Connectors" with lots of possibilities

In early engineering phases, direct and immediate access to IO signals or communication interfaces of an ECU is necessary. With a distribution box, individual IO signals as well as ECU data traffic can be reliably measured, recorded or connected to suitable remote stations. Power supplies or displays can be flexibly integrated to suit the particular use.

Solutions
  • Different variants of jacks and  connectors possible
  • Robust housing, modular setup
  • Switchable and fused power supplies
  • Connectors and jacks for special signals (including HF, HV)
  • Connections for control unit communication: LIN, CAN, CAN-FD, FlexRay, BroadR-Reach 100 Mbit/1 Gbit Ethernet
  • Variably modifiable thanks to magnetic labeling fields

 

Lab Cars

"ECU Connectors" with Integrated Peripherals

Similar to the distribution box, lab cars offer direct access to IO signals and ECU communication – although extended by integrated load simulations, sensor or actuator equivalent circuits or communication counterparts.  Optionally, load simulations or equivalent circuits can be manipulated by the operator and influenced directly on the lab car.

Solutions
  • Different variants of jacks, connectors, controllers and displays possible
  • Robust housing, modular setup
  • Switchable and fused power supplies
  • Connectors and jacks for special signals (including HF, HV)
  • Connections for control unit communication: LIN, CAN, CAN-FD, FlexRay, BroadR-Reach 100 Mbit/1 Gbit Ethernet
  • Variably modifiable thanks to magnetic labeling fields

Test and Simulation Technology – All Components From One Source

  • Measuring adapters and break-out boxes
  • Signal conditioning
  • Simulation of electromechanical variables
  • Error simulation
  • Residual bus simulation
  • High-voltage adaptations and testing equipment for electric and hybrid vehicles
  • Testing facilities for telematics and infotainment
  • Accessories and tools for ECU engineering
  • Diagnostic and test software
Downloads  
Flyer Test Equipment Overview of test equipment by Softing with examples of competence
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