MicroAutoBox III

 

The MicroAutoBox III is the next generation of the established dSPACE MicroAutoBox, a real-time system for performing fast, in-vehicle function prototyping.

MicroLab Box
At A Glance

Application Areas

The powerful system can be added to or replace an electronic control unit (ECU), and lets you experience and test control functionalities in a real environment. MicroAutoBox III is ideal for many different rapid control prototyping (RCP) applications from autonomous driving to zero emissions either as a single demonstrator or for equipping entire test fleets. Examples of application fields are:

  • E-mobility, electrification, and powertrain control
  • Assisted, highly automated, and autonomous driving
  • Chassis, body, and vehicle dynamics control
  • Supervisory and domain control
  • Bus/network gateway and monitoring
  • Noise, vibration, position, and motion control

Key Benefits

The MicroAutoBox III uniquely combines high performance, comprehensive automotive I/O including bus and network support, and an extremely compact and robust design – all for a favorable price. The comprehensive software environment lets you configure, program, and operate the system easily and with minimum effort.

Variants

Hardware Variants

The MicroAutoBox III is available in different variants, which provide different numbers of analog or digital I/O channels, advanced bus and network interfaces1), or even a user-programable FPGA for very fast control loops as required in e-mobility applications. Furthermore, there are dedicated extensions, e.g., a MicroAutoBox III Embedded PC for ADAS/ AD applications or an I/O module for engine control. All this makes the MicroAutoBox III a powerful and flexible development system for nearly all mechatronic in-vehicle applications, from autonomous driving to zero emissions.

The MicroAutoBox III can also be combined with the new AUTERA hardware, offering a perfect system combination for data logging and prototyping applications in the field of autonomous driving.

Technical Details
Parameter Specification
1403/1511 1403/1513 1403/1511/1514
Real-time processor Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz) Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz) Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz)
Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores
64 MB flash memory (for the real-time application and/or custom libraries) 64 MB flash memory (for the real-time application and/or custom libraries) 64 MB flash memory (for the real-time application and/or custom libraries)
Host communication coprocessor ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core) ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core) ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core)
Boot options Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option
Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms
Start without prestart: 2-3 s Start without prestart: 2-3 s Start without prestart: 2-3 s
Functional safety concept Three-level functional safety concept1) Three-level functional safety concept1) Three-level functional safety concept1)
Interfaces
Host interface 1 standard Ethernet port 1 standard Ethernet port 1 standard Ethernet port
10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2)
Ethernet real-time I/O interface 2 standard Ethernet ports 2 standard Ethernet ports 2 standard Ethernet ports
10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2)
Automotive Ethernet real-time I/O interface 2 automotive Ethernet ports 2 automotive Ethernet ports 2 automotive Ethernet ports
100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 100BASE?T12), 1000BASE?T12) Supported standards: 100BASE?T12), 1000BASE?T12) Supported standards: 100BASE?T12), 1000BASE?T12)
Supported Ethernet protocols (general) Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6 Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6 Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6
Transport protocols: UDP, TCP Transport protocols: UDP, TCP Transport protocols: UDP, TCP
Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP
Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing
USB interface 2 USB 2.0 ports 2 USB 2.0 ports 2 USB 2.0 ports
1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3) 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3) 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3)
1 port for future use 1 port for future use 1 port for future use
WLAN Optional3) Optional3) Optional3)
CAN interface 4 CAN channels 6 CAN channels 4 CAN channels
CAN FD interface (-) (-) 2 x IP module slots (for DS4340 FlexRay Interface Module and DS4342 CAN FD Interface Module)
FlexRay interface (-) (-) 2 x IP module slots (for DS4340 FlexRay Interface Module and DS4342 CAN FD Interface Module)
LIN interface 2 LIN channels 3 LIN channels 2 LIN channels
UART interface 2 RS232 channels 3 RS232 channels 2 RS232 channels
Programmable FPGA (-) (-) Xilinx Kintex®-7 XC7K325T
I/O module slot for programmable FPGA (-) (-) 1 x I/O module slots (for DS1552 Multi-I/O Module, DS1553 AC Motor Control Module, DS1554 Engine Control I/O Module)
Real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock
Power control Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III
Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application
Analog input
Channels 16 (16x Analog In 7) 32 (16x Analog In 8 and 16x Analog In 9) 16 (16x Analog In 7)
Resolution 16 bits 16 bits 16 bits
Supported function blocks Analog In7 : Voltage In, Voltage Signal Capture (ADC Type 4) Analog In 8: Voltage In, Voltage Signal Capture (ADC Type 4) Analog In7 : Voltage In, Voltage Signal Capture (ADC Type 4)
Analog In 9: Voltage In
Sample rate Analog In 7: Max. 1 MS/s Analog In 8: Max. 1 MS/s Analog In 7: Max. 1 MS/s
Analog In 9: Max. 200 kS/s
Input voltage range Analog In 7: 0 … 5 V Analog In 8: ?10 V … +10 V Analog In 7: 0 … 5 V
Analog In 9: -10 V … +10 V
Trigger input channels 4 (trigger rate max. 1 MHz) 4 (trigger rate max. 1 MHz) 4 (trigger rate max. 1 MHz)
For triggering the analog measurement For triggering the analog measurement For triggering the analog measurement
Analog output
Channels 4 8 4
Resolution 12 bits 16 bits 12 bits
Supported function blocks Voltage Out Voltage Out Voltage Out
Output voltage range 0 … 4.5 V ?10 V … +10 V 0 … 4.5 V
Output current ?5 mA … +5 mA ?8 mA … +8 mA ?5 mA … +5 mA
Digital input
Channels 40, divided into 3 channel sets 24, divided into 2 channel sets 40, divided into 3 channel sets
Supported function blocks Multi Bit In Multi Bit In Multi Bit In
PWM/PFM In PWM/PFM PWM/PFM In
Digital Pulse In In Digital Pulse In Digital Pulse In
Digital Incremental Encoder In Digital Incremental Encoder In Digital Incremental Encoder In
SENT In SENT In SENT In
SPI Master SPI Master SPI Master
Minimum input pulse width Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns
Maximum input frequency Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz
Digital output
Channels 40, divided into 3 channel sets 24, divided into 2 channel sets 40, divided into 3 channel sets
Supported function blocks Multi Bit Out Multi Bit Out Multi Bit Out
Digital Pulse Out Digital Pulse Out Digital Pulse Out
PWM/PFM Out PWM/PFM Out PWM/PFM Out
Multi-Channel PWM Out Multi-Channel PWM Out Multi-Channel PWM Out
SPI Master SPI Master SPI Master
Minimum output pulse width Typ. 200 ns … 700 ns Typ. 200 ns … 700 ns Typ. 200 ns … 700 ns
Maximum output frequency Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk:  150 kHz Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk:  150 kHz Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk:  150 kHz
Signal conditioning Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included
Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection
Physical connections
LEMO connectors 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use) 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use) 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use)
1 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports) 1 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports) 1 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports)
2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports) 2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports) 2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports)
1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port) 1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port) 1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port)
Additional connectors ZIF I/O connector ZIF I/O connector ZIF I/O connector
IOCNET for future use IOCNET for future use IOCNET for future use
Power input (7-pin, male) Power input (7-pin, male) Power input (7-pin, male)
Physical characteristics
Size Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 60 mm (2.36 in) Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 60 mm (2.36 in) Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 100 mm (3.94 in.)
Temperature Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F) Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F) Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F)
Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F) Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F) Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F)
Passive cooling Passive cooling Passive cooling
Shock and vibration tested ISO 16750-3:2007 ISO 16750-3:2007 ISO 16750-3:2007
Power supply Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC
Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC
Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?40 V Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?40 V Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?40 V
Power consumption Typically 40 W Typically 40 W Typically 65 W with installed I/O modules

 

 

 

Parameter Specification
1403/1513/1514 1403/1521 1403/1521/1521
Real-time processor Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz) Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz) Texas Intruments AM5K2E04 processor (1.4 GHz)
Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores Four ARM® Cortex®-A15 processor cores
64 MB flash memory (for the real-time application and/or custom libraries) 92 MB flash memory (for the operating system and the real-time application) 92 MB flash memory (for the operating system and the real-time application)
Host communication coprocessor ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core) ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core) ARM® Cortex®-A9 (dual core)
Boot options Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option Automatic flash-boot and fast boot option
Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms Fast boot with prestart feature: starting a real-time application in < 250 ms
Start without prestart: 2-3 s Start without prestart: 2-3 s Start without prestart: 2-3 s
Functional safety concept Three-level functional safety concept1) Three-level functional safety concept1) Three-level functional safety concept1)
Interfaces
Host interface 1 standard Ethernet port 1 standard Ethernet port 1 standard Ethernet port
10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection# 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2)
Ethernet real-time I/O interface 2 standard Ethernet ports 2 standard Ethernet ports 2 standard Ethernet ports
10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 10BASE?T2), 100BASE?TX2), 1000BASE?T2)
Automotive Ethernet real-time I/O interface 2 automotive Ethernet ports 5 automotive Ethernet ports 8 automotive Ethernet ports
100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection 100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet connection
Supported standards: 100BASE?T12), 1000BASE?T12) Supported standards: 100BASE?T2), 1000BASE?T2) Supported standards: 100BASE?T2), 1000BASE?T2)
Supported Ethernet protocols (general) Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6 Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6 Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6
Transport protocols: UDP, TCP Transport protocols: UDP, TCP Transport protocols: UDP, TCP
Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP Service-Oriented Communication: SOME-IP
Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing Measurement and application protocol: XCP for bypassing
USB interface 2 USB 2.0 ports# 2 USB 2.0 ports# 2 USB 2.0 ports#
1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3) 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3) 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3)
1 port for future use 1 port for future use 1 port for future use
WLAN Optional3) Optional3) Optional3)
CAN interface 6 CAN channels have look at CAN FD interfaces have look at CAN FD interfaces
CAN FD interface 2 x IP module slots (for DS4340 FlexRay Interface Module and DS4342 CAN FD Interface Module) 8 CAN / CAN FD channels 16 CAN / CAN FD channels
FlexRay interface 2 x IP module slots (for DS4340 FlexRay Interface Module and DS4342 CAN FD Interface Module) 2 FlexRay channels (A + B) 4 FlexRay channels (A + B)
LIN interface 3 LIN channels 3 LIN channels 6 LIN channels
UART interface 3 RS232 channels 1 RS232/422/485 channel 2 RS232/422/485 channels
Programmable FPGA Xilinx Kintex®-7 XC7K325T (-) (-)
I/O module slot for programmable FPGA 1 x I/O module slots (for DS1552 Multi-I/O Module, DS1553 AC Motor Control Module, DS1554 Engine Control I/O Module) (-) (-)
Real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock Battery-backed real-time clock
Power control Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III Remote control input to switch on/off MicroAutoBox III
Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application Prestart input to switch on the MicroAutoBox III without starting the real-time application
Analog input
Channels 32 (16x Analog In 8 and 16x Analog In 9) 4 ( Analog In 17) 8 (Analog In 17)
Resolution 16 bits 14 bits 14 bits
Supported function blocks Analog In 8: Voltage In, Voltage Signal Capture (ADC Type 4) Analog In 17: Voltage In Analog In 17: Voltage In
Analog In 9: Voltage In
Sample rate Analog In 8: Max. 1 MS/s Analog In 17: Max. 200 kS/s Analog In 17: Max. 200 kS/s
Analog In 9: Max. 200 kS/s
Input voltage range Analog In 8: ?10 V … +10 V Analog In 17: -10 V … +10 V Analog In 17: -10 V … +10 V
Analog In 9: -10 V … +10 V
Trigger input channels 4 (trigger rate max. 1 MHz) (-) (-)
For triggering the analog measurement
Analog output
Channels 8 (-) (-)
Resolution 16 bits (-) (-)
Supported function blocks Voltage Out (-) (-)
Output voltage range ?10 V … +10 V (-) (-)
Output current ?8 mA … +8 mA (-) (-)
Digital input
Channels 24, divided into 2 channel sets 6 Digital In / Out 12 Digital In / Out
Supported function blocks Multi Bit In Multi Bit In Multi Bit In
PWM/PFM PWM/PFM PWM/PFM
In Digital Pulse In In Digital Pulse In In Digital Pulse In
Digital Incremental Encoder In
SENT In
SPI Master
Minimum input pulse width Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns Typ. 250 ns … 300 ns
Maximum input frequency Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz Maximum frequency supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz Maximum frequency supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 1 MHz
Digital output
Channels 24, divided into 2 channel sets 6 Digital In / Out 12 Digital In / Out
Supported function blocks Multi Bit Out Multi Bit Out Multi Bit Out
Digital Pulse Out Digital Pulse Out Digital Pulse Out
PWM/PFM Out PWM/PFM Out PWM/PFM Out
Multi-Channel PWM Out
SPI Master
Minimum output pulse width Typ. 200 ns … 700 ns Typ. 200-700 ns Typ. 200-700 ns
Maximum output frequency Maximum frequency  supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk:  150 kHz Maximum frequency supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 150 kHz Maximum frequency supported by function blocks of ConfigurationDesk: 150 kHz
Signal conditioning Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included Signal conditioning for automotive signal levels, no power driver included
Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection Overvoltage protection; overcurrent and short circuit protection
Physical connections
LEMO connectors 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use) 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use) 1 x USB (2 USB ports: 1 port usable as a mass storage interface for data logging3), 1 port for future use)
1 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports) 3 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports) 6 x AETH (2 Automotive Ethernet ports)
2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports) 2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports) 2 x ETH (2 standard Ethernet ports)
1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port) 1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port) 1 x HOST (1 standard Ethernet port)
Additional connectors ZIF I/O connectors D-Sub connectors D-Sub connectors
IOCNET for future use IOCNET for future use IOCNET for future use
Power input (7-pin, male) Power input (7-pin, male) Power input (7-pin, male)
Physical characteristics
Size Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 100 mm (3.94 in.) Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 60 mm (2.36 in) Approx. 200 mm (7.87 in) x 259 mm (10.18 in) x 100 mm (3.94 in)
Temperature Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F) Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F) Operating temperature with all processor cores: -40°C up to 70°C (-40 up to 158 °F)
Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F) Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F) Operating temperature with two processor cores deactivated: -40°C up to 80°C (-40 up to 176 °F)
Passive cooling Passive cooling Passive cooling
Shock and vibration tested ISO 16750-3:2007 ISO 16750-3:2007 ISO 16750-3:2007
Power supply Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range for start-up (VBATstart): 6 V DC … 36 V DC
Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC Operating voltage range VBAToperate: 10 V DC … 36 V DC
Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?40 V Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?58 V Protected reverse voltage VBATprot: Up to ?58 V
Power consumption Typically 65 W with installed I/O modules Typically 65 W with installed I/O modules Typically 65 W with installed I/O modules

 

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