Intrepid Control Systems RAD-Star User Manual page 6

AE
Device
Figure 2: Using the RAD-Star as a Media Converter. Connecting just one Automotive Ethernet device to the RAD-Star
creates a simpler network that allows a PC or other standard Ethernet hardware to interact with it.
Timestamping and Frame Wrapping
The RAD-Star records the time that each message is received on one of its BroadR-Reach
ports. This hardware-level timestamp is then transmitted in a special wrapper frame over its
conventional Ethernet links, encapsulating the original message. The wrapper frame contains
its own Ethernet header and Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field, along with an extra header
containing information specific to the RAD-Star. The wrapper is described further in Section 11.
Ethernet controllers normally discard any frames received for which an error has been
detected, and strip the FCS error-detection field even on valid frames. The RAD-Star's special
wrapping mechanism allows it to capture BroadR-Reach frames in their entirety, including
the FCS field, and ensures that error frames are preserved so they can be analyzed. (Note,
however, that undersized/runt frames will not be captured.)
Features
Here are some of the noteworthy features of the RAD-Star:
• Custom XMOS BroadR-Reach active tap
• Support for active tap and media converter operation
• Two SMSC 8710A conventional 10/100 Ethernet PHYs
• Two BroadCom BCM89810 BroadR-Reach (100BASE-T1) PHYs
• Standard RJ-45 jacks for 10/100 Ethernet connections with link and activity LEDs
• Molex Mini50 jacks for Automotive Ethernet connections with combination link/activity
LEDs
• DC power input via standard DB-9 CAN connector
• Full-duplex support for simultaneous data transmission and reception across all PHYs
• Compact, portable enclosure
• Fast boot time: forwarding of BroadR-Reach packets on active tap within 120 ms,
transmission of tapped packets over standard Ethernet within 2.5 seconds.
Version 1.2 - June 1, 2016
RAD-Star User's Guide
Device
to PC
RAD-Star
3
PC
PC to
Device
© 2015-2016 Intrepid Control Systems, Inc.