FlexRay, developed and standardised by a consortium of motor vehicle and equipment manufacturers, differs from the CAN protocol in several ways. It has a higher throughput (up to 10 Mbit/s per channel and maximum two channel of communication), it supports different topologies (such as bus, linear passive, active/passive star and hybrid), and has fault tolerance mechanisms. All of these deliver improved reliability in operation.

FlexRay and its Applications presents a timely overview as the technology gains increasing importance. Divided into four parts, this book covers FlexRay’s communication protocol, the FlexRay physical layers, synchronization and global time, and architecture of a node, components and development aid tools for hardware and software.

Other key features include: 

• authoritative and accessible guide to the design and operation of FlexRay applications
• detailed explanations of the latest protocol for automotive network communications, including the latest specifications (Version 3) concluded by the FlexRay consortium
• comprehensive treatment of the FlexRay network, including its implementation through a real automotive application
• a review of industrial tools to help readers design and implement a FlexRay based distributor application.

This is essential reading for technicians; automotive system design engineers and design engineers of applications concerning motor vehicle and on-board systems of all types, such as control of machine tools and production lines, avionics, rail transport, building automation, and transmission of digital images. Dominique Paret’s book will appeal to engineers and other potential users of FlexRay in related industries such as avionics, also electrical and electronic engineering students majoring in automotive electronics, electronic information, network technology, and control engineering.