FlexRay is an automotive network communications protocol developed by the FlexRay Consortium to govern on-board automotive computing. It is designed to be faster and more reliable than CAN and TTP, but it is also more expensive. The FlexRay consortium disbanded in 2009, but the FlexRay standard is now a set of ISO standards, ISO 17458-1 to 17458-5.[1]
FlexRay is a communication bus designed to ensure high data rates, fault tolerance, operating on a time cycle, split into static and dynamic segments for event-triggered and time-triggered communications.[2]
. . . FlexRay . . .
FlexRay supports data rates up to 10 Mbit/s, explicitly supports both star and “party line” bus topologies, and can have two independent data channels for fault-tolerance (communication can continue with reduced bandwidth if one channel is inoperative). The bus operates on a time cycle, divided into two parts: the static segment and the dynamic segment. The static segment is preallocated into slices for individual communication types, providing stronger determinism than its predecessor CAN. The dynamic segment operates more like CAN, with nodes taking control of the bus as available, allowing event-triggered behavior.[3]
The FlexRay Consortium was made up of the following core members:
- Freescale Semiconductor
- Robert Bosch GmbH
- NXP Semiconductors
- BMW AG
- Volkswagen AG
- Daimler AG
- General Motors
There were also Premium Associate and Associate members of FlexRay consortium. By September 2009, there were 28 premium associate members and more than 60 associate members. At the end of 2009, the consortium disbanded.
The first series production vehicle with FlexRay was at the end of 2006 in the BMW X5 (E70),[4] enabling a new and fast adaptive damping system. Full use of FlexRay was introduced in 2008 in the new BMW 7 Series (F01).
- Audi A4 (B9) (2015–)[5]
- Audi A5 (F5) (2016–)[6]
- Audi A6 (C7) (2011-2018)[7]
- Audi A7
- Audi A8 (D4) (2010–2017)[8]
- Audi Q7 (2015-)
- Audi TT Mk3 (2014–)
- Audi R8 (2015–)
- Bentley Flying Spur (2013-2019)
- Bentley Mulsanne (2010–)[4]
- BMW X5 (E70) (2006–2013)[4]
- BMW X6 (E71) (2008–2014)[9]
- BMW 1 Series
- BMW 3 Series
- BMW 5 Series (2009–2017)[4]
- BMW 6 Series (2011–2018)[10]
- BMW 7 Series (2008–2015)[4]
- Lamborghini Huracán
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) (2013–)[11]
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class (C217) (2014–)[12]
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) (2013–)[13]
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205)
- Rolls-Royce Ghost (2009–)[4]
- Land Rover
- Volvo XC90 (2015–)[14]
. . . FlexRay . . .