5. The neoVI Explorer Configuration Utility

5.1. Starting and Using neoVI Explorer

This section will describe general features and the basics of using neoVI Explorer. It is the utility is used to connect to, manage and configure all of Intrepid Control Systems hardware. It is an integral part of Vehicle Spy, but for those not using Vehicle Spy software, it is also available as a stand alone application in the free ICS Hardware Installation kit

5.1.1. Starting neoVI Explorer from within Vehicle Spy

There are several ways to open neoVI Explorer from within VSpy. These are probably the two easiest, since they are accessible at all times:

Menu Item: Click the Setup menu and then select Hardware.
Hardware Setup Button: Click the button located in the main Vehicle Spy toolbar just under its menu (Figure below).

Note

neoVI Explorer cannot be launched when Vehicle Spy is online (even if in simulation mode). Attempting to do so, VSpy will display a prompt to either go offline and launch neoVI Explorer, or remain online and return to Vehicle Spy.

5.1.2. Starting neoVI Explorer as a Standalone Program

It is also possible to launch neoVI Explorer directly without opening Vehicle Spy. Open the Start Menu, navigate to the IntrepidCS folder, then under the Vehicle Spy 3 sub-folder, select neoVI Explorer (Figure below).

5.1.3. Starting neoVI Explorer as a Standalone Program

If the ICS Hardware Installation kit has been installed instead of Vehicle Spy, neoVI Explorer can be run from the Start Menu using the same basic process as described above. The only difference is the name of the sub-folder. The location of neoVI Explorer within the folder hierarchy can be seen in the figure below.

5.2. General Settings and Product Details

These two areas of the device’s parameter setup provide information about the device and can be used to perform a few basic maintenance tasks.

5.2.1. General Settings

After connecting to the device, basic information about it will be displayed in the right-hand pane of the window:

The device’s serial number.
The firmware versions currently in the device, and an indication if new firmware is available.
A message showing that the hardware license for the device was recognized.
A current readout of the device’s real-time clock.

This information can be displayed again at any time by clicking the device’s name in the explorer navigation window, or the General Settings entry immediately below it.

The version(s) of the firmware for the device will be shown in black if it matches the firmware version within neoVI Explorer. If not, the current version and the newest available version will be shown in red to highlight that an update is available. (See the previous section for more about the update process.)

There are three buttons on this screen.

Manual Reflash (described in the previous section)
Read RTC button will reload the device’s internal time clock
Synchronize RTC will set the device’s clock to the same value as that of the PC.

5.2.2. Product Details

This is an informational area that provides technical data on the devices’s hardware and internal setup. This is generally only needed this if requested by Intrepid in order to facilitate support or troubleshooting. The Copy To Clipboard button can be used to copy all of the information to the Windows Clipboard to be pasted into an email or file.

5.3. CAN Network Settings

5.3.1. CAN Networks

This area of neoVI Explorer is used to enable, disable and configure the High Speed CAN channels. Each channel has an entry under the “CAN” group (which cannot be clicked itself). The current status of each channel is shown next to its name; a green checkmark indicates that the channel is enabled, while a red X means it is disabled. The figure below shows an example of the CAN channels area, with HS CAN enabled and HS CAN2 disabled.

All of the CAN channels have the same parameters, which can be configured using the controls in the right-hand pane; the default settings are shown below.

Enabled: Place a checkmark in this box to enable the channel, or clear the checkmark to disable it. When disabled, all of the other parameter controls are disabled (grayed out).

Specify by Baud: This is a master control that determines whether the operation of the channel is controlled by a numeric baud rate, or is calculated from lower-level timing parameters. When checked, the Baud Rate and CAN FD Baud Rate drop-down boxes are enabled and the various TQ, Sync and BRP-1 entries are disabled. When unchecked, this is reversed. Specifying by baud rate is the default, and is recommended except for advanced users with special requirements.

Baud Rate: When Specify by Baud is selected, choose a baud rate for the channel from the drop-down box below. The default value is 500000.

CAN Timing Settings: When Specify by Baud is deselected, the operation of the CAN channel is based on these five settings: TQ SEG1, TQ SEG2, TQ Prop, Sync, BRP-1. These settings are for advanced users and normally should be left at their default values.

CAN FD Baud Rate: When Specify by Baud is selected, choose a baud rate for the data phase of CAN FD messages. The default value is 2000000.

CAN FD Timing Settings: When Specify by Baud is deselected, use these settings (TQ SEG1, TQ SEG2, TQ Prop, Sync, BRP-1) for the data phase of CAN FD messages. These parameters are for advanced users and normally should be left at their default values.

Mode: The operating mode of the channel; choose from one of these four options:

Normal: Normal operation (default).
Disable: Channel is disabled.
Listen Only: This channel only receives messages, with no transmissions, and also no error frames generated nor acknowledgments sent.

Bit Rate Calculator: Press this button to launch the Intrepid Bit Timing Calculator.

5.3.2. ISO15765-2:

This page contains one setting: IFS Shift Register (shown below). Changing this from its default value of 0 causes time to be added to the Inner Frame Spacing of USDT frames transmitted by CoreMini scripts running in the FIRE 2. The number entered is multiplied by 6.4 µs to determine the time offset. The allowed range is -1563 to 1563.

5.4. LIN Network Settings

This section the device’s explorer tree allows enabling, disabling and configuring its LIN channels. Each channel has an entry under the “LIN” group (seen below). As with the CAN channels, a green checkmark indicates that a particular channel is enabled, while a red X means it is disabled.

All of these channels have the same parameters, which can be seen below. In this image we have selected the Advanced Options checkbox to display its options (described below).

Enabled: Place a checkmark in this box to enable the channel, or clear the checkmark to disable it. When disabled, all of the other parameter controls are disabled (grayed out).

Baud Rate: Select a baud rate for the channel; the default is 10417.

Mode: This option is currently not used and should be left at the default of “Normal Mode”.

Master Resistor On: Enable this option for the device to act as the master on the specified LIN bus.

Advanced Options: Click this checkbox to reveal two additional options:

Master Slave Interval: The time between the master ID and the first slave byte, in bits (default 0).
Verbose Error Reporting: When checked, break errors and other error messages from the LIN driver are displayed.

5.5. Text API

These parameters control the operation of the text API that can be used to operate the neoVI FIRE 2 using third party software. Please contact Intrepid Customer Support if any assistance using the API is required.

5.6. Performance Tests

The following are tests which can be used to characterize the bandwidth and latency between ICS hardware and its host computer. If problem is encountered with either of these, our Customer Support would be happy to help resolve it. Reference the end of this document for contact information.

5.7. Basic Switch Configuration

5.7.1. Switch Port/PHY Configuration

The following interface is used to configure the PHY of each port of the 88Q6113.

Enable PHY	Each PHY can be independently enabled/disabled
Auto/Master/Slave	Master/Slave setting for each PHY
Speed	100/1000 Mbps for ports 1-6
Speed	100/1000/10000 Mbps for ports 9/10
Q2112 Mode	Legacy: Compatible with rev A0 of the Marvell 88Q2112
Q2112 Mode	IEEE: Meets IEEE interoperability requirements

5.7.2. Switch Firmware and MAC Spoofing

88Q6113 Firmware Update

Provided your company has an NDA with Marvell Semiconductor, you may receive updates to the firmware of the 88Q6113 which executes the AVB/TSN Protocols. This interface allows selecting the binary image of the Marvell firmware and it is programmed when the “Program Switch” button is pressed.

Always verify the proper firmware image is being used

Programming the switch firmware with an incorrect image can make the switch malfunction or become inoperable. Use only firmware images obtained directly from Marvell and insure it is the proper version for the 88Q6113

MAC Spoofing

Your device was programmed with a unique MAC address when it was manufactured. However, this can be changed if you would like to change this address for testing purposes. In order to do this, the firmware must also be updated, therefore a binary image of this firmware is required.

Step 1: Select the binary file containing the Marvell firmware. Use only files provided by Marvell Semiconductor or the switch may not function properly.

Step 2: Enter the desired MAC address here with the box checked and press “Write Settings”. This stores the MAC address to be programmed along with the firmware.

Step 3: Press “Program Switch” to update the firmware and change the MAC address (if spoofing is enabled).

10GBASE-T PHY Firmware Update

The bottom section of this configuration screen can update the firmware of the 10G PHYs on Ports 9 and 10. Pressing the “Read FW” button will display the PHY firmware compared to the firmware available in the build of Vehicle Spy Software currently installed. This is not common, but if there is newer firmware available, it can be programmed by pressing the “Program PHYs” button. This operation can take several minutes to complete.