After the merger of the NovaSim and NovaCarts lines to NovaCarts 4.0, MicroNova now extends the possible user base of HiL systems: NovaCarts new deliveries now support the J1939 protocol as standard, existing HiL simulators can be retrofitted. This was based on adaptations of the vehicle bus node used in the test systems and the control software. This allows users to perform extensive tests, for example to check the J1939 transport protocol. Address conflicts between ECUs can also be resolved using address claiming. In addition, tests for sending and receiving messages are possible due to the integrated error activation. These can be transmitted either to all or only to one receiver (broadcast or unicast).
"Thanks to the integration of the J1939 communication protocol, NovaCarts systems are now also ideally suited for special applications in the commercial vehicle sector," explains Martin Bayer, Head of Testing Solutions at MicroNova AG. "For example, truck and construction machine manufacturers can use our systems to test signal transmission between the control units in the tractor and those in the trailer. This also opens up new applications in the commercial vehicle sector for the supplier industry."
The J1939 network protocol ensures uniform communication mechanisms for common vehicle components for different vehicle types and manufacturers. This ensures not only interoperability but also the reusability of components in several vehicle series. Among other things, the protocol describes the information transmitted via the CAN bus as parameters. In principle, all connected ECUs can receive communication without explicitly requesting the data; the exclusive exchange of certain data between two ECUs (peer-to-peer) is also possible.