Automotive

Softing DTS.monaco – All­-in­-One Engineering Tester

The Off ­Board Diagnostic Tool for Professional Vehicle Engineering

Softing DTS.monaco is an extensive off­board diagnostic tool for the engineering sector which covers the entire range of ap­plication cases from ECU testing through to vehicle release. The all-in-one software is easily integrated into the test sequences and corporate processes, not least because of its flexible interfaces which can be configured to suit the relevant test step.

Highlights

  • Remote diagnostic in the engineering network
  • Representation and recording of Ethernet communication (DoIP)
  • New functions in the area OTX support (new OTX ISO standard) as well as the functional diagnosis (see Softing SDE)
  • Advanced functions in the areas measurement and analysis
  • Revised security concept
  • New licensing possibilities with an activation key and server licensing   
  • New graphical instruments for measuring and actuator diagnostics
  • 64 ­bit software with multi­lingual interface
  • Intuitive, touch­capable navigation and program structure
  • Recording of measured data in .csv
  • Migration and conversion of the DTS 8 interfaces and projects

Areas of Application

  • Engineering of diagnostics and control functions for vehicle ECUs
  • Function test and validation
  • Integration and system test
  • Preparation of test sequences for manufacturing and after sales service
  • Analysis of returns and quality assurance
  • Commissioning of test benches and HiL systems
  • Preparation and update of vehicles for endurance testing
  • Execution of diagnostic tests for safeguarding functionalsafety in compliance with ISO 26262

Advantages

  • Cost reduction and shorter familiarization time as Softing DTS.monaco covers the functionality of several tools that were separate to date
  • Fast results due to intuitive operation and preconfigured templates
  • Top quality thanks to early detection and remedy of communication problems and function errors
  • Highly effective as it can be flexibly adapted to suit a range of tasks
  • Complete documentation of communication data and test results

Functions

  • Testing communication
  • Analyzing data on the bus
  • Testing ODX data against ECU
  • Reading/clearing error memory
  • Identifying variants
  • Programming flash memory
  • Displaying measurement values
  • Testing actuators
  • Parameterizing ECUs
  • Variant coding
  • Running ECU routines
  • Testing OBD functions
  • Creating/executing test sequences

Overview

Our extensive experience pays off for the user

Softing DTS.monaco is the flagship of the Diagnostic Tool Set, the expert tool for professional diagnostics that has grown over the decades. It is based on the Softing Diagnostic Base System and thus benefits from cross­manufacturer experience in off­board diagnostics throughout the entire vehicle life cycle. New solutions are continuously being integrated into the stable and scalable tool base for the latest E/E architectures and security mechanisms.

Pocess-oriented and flexibly adjustable for every working step

The name MONACO – Modular Analyzer for Vehicle Communication – already clearly indicates one advantage of the application: modularity. Thanks to the di  vision of the interfaces into fixed and flexibly configurable parts, it is possible to arrange working steps required for the tes ti  ng process logically and efficiently. What are referred to as layouts in the Monaco workspace help the user to sort the topics. In turn, the specially developed diagnostic control elements can be placed within these freely configurable interfaces.The delivery scope also includes a few examples of widely­used application cases (OBD, WWH­OBD, J1939­73), thus considerably facilitating getting started with Softing DTS.monaco.

The right controlelement for every diagnostic function

Monaco Controls are available for typical application cases. Users without in­depth knowledge can take advantage of these intuitively. The diagnostic com­mands and communication parameter behind those controls are preconfigured by experts at diagnostic service or diag­nostic job level. Furthermore, diagnostic sequences can be directly incorporated in OTX (ISO 13209) and started. These are created using Softing OTX.studio.

Use Cases of Softing DTS.monaco

Softing DTS.monaco is used in numerous engineering departments all over the world to take care of diagnostic tasks. The range of ODX and expert application cases extends through ECU release to the commissioning of HiL systems and test benches. The tool is also regularly used for updating and validating vehicles during on­road tests.

Testing and Debugging the establishing of tester ECU communication

Regardless of the integration level of software and ECUs, com­munication problems along the OSI communication layers result in specific challenges for diagnostic experts. These problems are critical for the remaining life cycle of the vehicle because, for example, in manufacturing, this behavior can lead to delays in or an entire absence of vehicle programming. The debugging of this kind of defective communication behavior thus necessitates an interface which both sends out services and jobs individually or cyclically to the test system and interprets information from off­board communication in detail and records on­board messages. The complexity of this kind of analysis is growing increasingly in the latest E/E architectures and their security measures against undesired external tampering attempts. Softing DTS.monaco is always up to date here and reliably supports corresponding protocols and mechanisms. This is supported in particular by the control units “Diagnostic Service”, “Symbolic Trace”, “Bus Trace” as well as the “Logical Link List” with reliable information on the status of the connection and the representation of the relevant services and bus communication. The DoIP monitor integrated in the new DTS generation 9 is particularly helpful in this respect!

Validating ECU or functional diagnostic specification (Example ISO 15031)

During the life cycle of an ECU/vehicle, various diagnostic services and functions specified by the OEM or legislator have to be supported. Softing DTS.monaco can be used for a first step in this partly approval-relevant validation. With the “Diagnostic Service” control (see figure above), it is possible to test the relevantservices and responses for their correct implementation in detail in the diagnostic database (ODX 2.0.1 or ODX 2.2). The tool also offers a special control unit with underlying ISO-compatible database for OBD validation. Here it is possible to reliably test the different modes and functional command groups of the OBD specification. No expert knowledge is necessary for this as the procedure is determined by the user interface. This simplification means that a result can be quickly and efficiently determined with the HiL system or vehicle.

Identifying and testing errors with documentation

The identification of a test unit as well as the reading out of the error memory are activities which are repeated throughout the product life cycle. Regardless of whether HiL, test bench or vehicle – the versions as well as any error memory entries which might occur must be acquired and documented in every test sequence. The most important aspect here is a simple and intuitive operation as well as reliable documentation (in part with a direct central link to IT systems). This kind of identification and error report can be generated and stored by Softing DTS.monaco. An XML file format for reports is expedient here. This is supported in particular by the control units “ECU Identification”, “DTC” and “Tool Quicktest”.

Visualizing measurements and actuator interaction

The visually meaningful representation of measurement parameters and their thresholds is necessary particularly at the test bench and in vehicle validation. Softing DTS.monaco helps visualize various states regardless of whether a NOx sensor has to fulfill its values within a certain time or if it has to be indicated that pressure or temperature has reached a threshold value. Corresponding services and parameters can be configured for this in a data server and reused. Naturally interaction with actuators is also possible. To ensure this is all documented, Softing DTS.monaco contains a recorder which records and can reproduce data reliably.

Updating ECUs - Flash programming

ECU and vehicle updating is an important application area for Softing DTS.monaco, as an accompanying measure in the engineering process to validate various software versions, but also to prepare the automated flash procedure for manufacturing and after-sales service. The compatibility to all kinds of methods and file formats is just as important here as simple and reliable operation. A process usually consists of several substeps as well as an initialization routine – now often additionally safeguarded with the Seed & Key procedure. Naturally, with its “flash” control element and numerous configuration possibilities, Softing DTS.monaco offers sufficient flexibility to be able to support complex procedures. In other words: ODX-D + Flash Job (with reference in ODX-F), External Flash Files (HEX, MOT, BIN, S3 and S19), Flash Sequences, Security Access, Latebound Flash Files, Flash Files > 4GB (“64-bit Flashing”), among others, are supported.

HMI Controls

Communication

Bus Trace

Fundamental analysis of diagnostic and on-board communication at bus level in hexadecimal notation.

Diagnostic Services

Data verification and communication test with full access to functions and sequences of the database for experts.

Symbolic Trace

Analysis of diagnostic communication at the application level in symbolic notation.

Service Table

One-off or cyclical execution of list control for diagnostic services in service or parameter notation.

OTX

Execution of complex diagnostic or test sequences in compliance with ISO 13209 (OTX).

Control

Annotation

Visualizing tests with pictures, text or link to RTF/PDF/CHM files.

Communication Control

Automated setup and tear-down of communication to ECUs.

Logical Link List

Monitoring and influencing the communication state of ECUs.

Toggle Sequences

Activation / deactivation of a switch, each starts a sequence of services (e.g. change ECU state).

Measurement

Graphical Instrument

Visualizing and modifying ECU variables using various graphic elements. (Measuring, parameterizing and actuator diagnostics)

Recorder

Recording/saving ECU variables (list, instruments or oscilloscope) and modifying them (actuator).

Function

DTC *

Reading out and clearing the ECU error memory.

ECU Identification *

Reading out the identification information of individual ECUs or an entire vehicle.

Flash

Programming of individual or multiple memory areas of ECUs.

OBD

Validation and release of OBD self-diagnosis and the different modes for K-line and CAN protocols.

Soft Key

Running sequences of services, jobs or sequences using buttons.

Tool Quick Test *

Fast determination of vehicle status as regards ECU identification and error memory.

Variant Coding *

Powerful expert tool for coding individual ECUs.

* Configuration must be adapted to relevant ODX authoring guideline!

Comparison OEM-Supplier PRO vs. TESTBENCH

Function / Package  DTS9+MON-
OEM-Supplier-PRO (R1/3SM)
DTS9+MON-
OEM-Supplier-TB-(R1/3SM)
Short Description Package for the user of DTS9 as a diagnostic application via the familiar Monaco workspaces and functions Package for the user of DTS9 as a diagnostic application (Monaco workspaces) but also the (remote) control of the diagnosis on test benches and test automation (mostly via third-party applications)
Open, edit, create Monaco workspaces (with all HMI / sD Controls) Yes Yes
Encrypt and read SMR data with OEM encryption Yes Yes
OTX Studio: Create and edit OTX scripts (projects) and GUIs (Note: Only included in OEM and supplier packages – not for other customers) Yes Yes
Use of the Softing D-PDU API also with third-party interfaces Yes Yes
Use of the SDE.mvci via third party applications (use of the diagnostic kernel) No Yes
Use of the OTX Runtime API as part of the SDE via third party applications (use of the OTX runtime engine outside of DTS9 e.g. via Jenkins / command line, automation applications ...) No Yes
Use of Monaco SOAP API for test benches  No Yes
Use of DTS.monaco via Remote Desktop Protocols (RDP) Yes Yes

Delivery Packages

Technical Data

Technical Data  
Operating System Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11 (64-bit)
Recommended System Intel Core i5 >7th Generation / Core i7, 4 Core-Processor, 6GB RAM
Updates Recent updates are supported by version 9.x

Order Information

Order Numbers Softing DTS.monaco (9)

DTS9+MON-BASE

Basic package of the diagnostic tester. It includes all content that can be used generically on diagnostic services and specified OTX processes as well as the OBD conformity check. The creation and editing of workspaces is included.

DTS9+MON-PRO

Expansion of the basic package by the use of complex diagnostic processes (DTC, ECU identification, flash programming, quick test) in the user interface, as well as the addition of remote diagnosis support (the use usually requires a one-time mapping of the customer's service name guidelines to the user interface – AGL).

DTS9+MON-TB

Complete package for using diagnostic interfaces through DTS 9 UI (see PRO version) as well as using the basic diagnostic system (OTX Runtime, MVCI Server) via. third-party application (e.g. test bench application).

Supplementary Products and Services for Softing DTS.moncao (9)

Maintenance & Service Package

Includes support by phone and email regarding installation, commissioning and operation, free minor and medium as well as discounted major software upgrades

Engineering and Trainings

For Softing DTS.monaco there are a variety of trainings as well as the possibility to receive support for the creation of workspaces, diagnostic processes or diagnostic databases – on request.

Technical Articles

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