2. Introduction and Overview

2.1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing an Intrepid Control Systems neoVI FIRE 2 multi-network vehicle network interface. The FIRE 2 is Intrepid’s fourth-generation general purpose interface tool, providing access to multiple channels of CAN, LIN and other vehicle networks. The FIRE 2 can be used to monitor and transmit on networks, to create custom simulations for network analysis and troubleshooting, and for standalone logging based on precise specifications.

The FIRE 2 provides numerous evolutionary improvements over the very successful original neoVI FIRE, including more CAN channels, greater performance, more robust case and connectors, far larger script space, the ability to download data from the included SD card over USB, and support for a wider input voltage range. It also adds new revolutionary features to the world of vehicle networking tools, such as support for CAN FD, Automotive Ethernet and DoIP, individual multi-color network activity LEDs, USB device hosting, and much more.

2.2. Package Contents

Your neoVI FIRE 2 package includes both hardware and software.

Hardware

You should receive the following:

  • The neoVI FIRE 2 network interface device.

  • A microSD card for data logging (already installed in the unit).

  • A USB microSD card reader.

  • An industry standard USB “A/B” cable to connect the FIRE 2 to a PC.

  • A µDB-9 to DB-9 conversion cable.

  • A FIRE 2 Ethernet Cable Adapter.

  • Your choice of OBD cable from among fie options (details are in Section 3.5).

You will also receive a “Getting Started” card to help you get going quickly with your device.

The FIRE 2 is packaged using a special cardboard insert with a plastic sheet molded over it to hold it securely during shipment. Figure 1 shows how the device will appear in its box after removing the “Getting Started” card.

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Figure 1: neoVI FIRE 2 in its Protective Insert.

Lift up the plastic sheet, remove the FIRE 2, and then fold back the cardboard upon which it rested. Underneath you will fid the cables and other accessories listed above. Please remove, unwrap and inspect all of the contents, an example of which is shown in Figure 2.

If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Intrepid for prompt assistance, using the information in Chapter 9. Detailed instructions for attaching the cables to your hardware are provided later in the document

Note

While the USB cable in the FIRE 2 package uses industry standard connectors and pinouts, not all USB cables are the same. To ensure reliable operation, please use the cable included with the FIRE 2. If you need to replace the original, be sure not to use one longer than 6’ (2 m) or you may experience problems with your hardware. If necessary, contact Intrepid for a replacement.

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Figure 2: neoVI FIRE 2 Package Contents. Starting top center with the FIRE 2 itself and going clockwise: µDB-9 to DB-9 conversion cable; USB cable; microSD card reader; FIRE 2 Ethernet Cable Adapter; neoVI-OBD-1 cable. The software/driver CD can be found in the center. Note that the OBD cable you receive may differ from the one shown here.

Software

In the FIRE 2 package you will fid a software/driver CD containing:

  • A copy of Intrepid’s Vehicle Spy vehicle network software.

  • Drivers for the neoVI FIRE 2.

  • An API install kit containing the neoVI Explorer utility for configuring the device.

  • Documentation materials.

Intrepid’s Vehicle Spy (often abbreviated as VSpy) is the “Swiss army knife” of automotive networking tools. It allows you to easily monitor and transmit on vehicle networks, and includes capabilities for ECU simulation, data acquisition, scripting, diagnostics, data analysis and much more.

The neoVI FIRE 2 and Vehicle Spy are designed to work together hand in hand, and we recommend purchasing a VSpy license to go along with your new hardware. If you did so, then a full copy of the software will be included on the software/driver CD. If you did not purchase Vehicle Spy, a trial version of the program will be provided instead, which allows access to VSpy’s basic features.

It is also possible to control the neoVI FIRE 2 from within other software using one of the APIs that the device supports.

2.3. Operational Overview

The neoVI FIRE 2 is a compact but powerful hardware tool for working with vehicle networks. Its operation can broadly be broken down into three categories: network interfacing; data acquisition and logging; and simulation and scripting.

Vehicle Network Interfacing

One primary function of the neoVI FIRE 2 is to act as an interface between vehicle networks and a standard PC. Using the provided cables, you can connect the neoVI FIRE 2 to either a bench test setup or an actual vehicle, and monitor live network activity. All channels are captured simultaneously, and are hardware time-stamped with great accuracy. Data is transferred by the neoVI FIRE 2 from attached networks over a USB connection, where it can be viewed in software such as Vehicle Spy.

Data Acquisition and Standalone Logging

The FIRE 2 enables the acquisition of data from networks with precise control over collection parameters. It is designed to operate not just when connected to a PC, but also in standalone mode, running independently within a vehicle. You can write custom scripts that run in real time, logging data to the included microSD card. This data can later be downloaded to the PC for analysis, and this can be done conveniently over USB without the need to remove the card.

Simulation and Scripting

The neoVI FIRE 2 not only allows you to receive data from vehicle networks, but also to transmit on them. Using Vehicle Spy or other software you can define transmit messages with custom data and send them manually or on a schedule of your choosing. You can also write intelligent scripts that implement arbitrary logic, and compile them into CoreMinis that run within the device itself. This functionality allows you to create specialized test scenarios, and to simulate ECUs and gateways. It is also possible to reflash ECUs using data from the FIRE 2’s microSD card.

2.4. Summary of Key Features

With the neoVI FIRE 2, we’ve fit a lot of power and functionality into a tough little package. To give you an idea of how much you can do with the FIRE 2, here’s a summary of the device’s most important design, construction, operational and performance features.

Construction, Controls and Cabling

  • Compact design: 5.5” x 3.5” x 1.5” (14 x 9 x 4 cm).

  • Light weight: less than 12 oz (340 g).

  • Solid anodized aluminum case.

  • Thick rubber end boots for shock protection.

  • Ruggedized metal connectors.

  • Cable interfaces on sides for easier connections.

  • Multiple cable options for vehicle networks, including Ethernet, DoIP and OBD-II.

  • Top membrane interface with network and logger status LEDs and two pushbuttons.

  • Ability to control LEDs and pushbuttons in custom scripts.

Power and Performance

  • Fourth-generation neoVI architecture, offering over ten times the performance of earlier devices.

  • Memory updated to 32 MB and on-board flash to 64 MB, allowing much more space for scripting and buffering.

  • Field-upgradeable firmware.

  • Support for 4.5V to 40V input power.

  • Built-in fie-second uninterruptible power supply to ensure graceful shutdown on power loss.

  • Ability to configure device and download SD card data on the desktop using only USB power.

  • Lower power consumption than earlier generation devices.

Network Interfaces and Features

  • 6 dedicated DW CAN channels (ISO 11898-2): 5 Dual Wire HS CAN, 1 Dual Wire MS CAN.

  • 2 selectable CAN channels: 2 additional Dual Wire HS CAN, or 2 Single Wire SW CAN, or 2 Low Speed Fault Tolerant LSFT CAN (ISO 11898-3).

  • All Dual Wire CAN channels have CAN FD support.

  • Initial support for non-ISO CAN FD, with ISO CAN FD upgrade included when it is available.

  • software-programmable CAN termination.

  • 4 LIN channels.

  • 2 MISC I/O channels, which can be configured as analog / PWM.

  • Software-configurable CAN and LIN channel enables/disables, baud rates and other parameters.

  • 10/100 Ethernet with low power mode and activation line.

  • Ethernet link usable for DoIP/XCP, or to connect to Automotive Ethernet (BroadR-Reach/100BASE-T1) network through Intrepid RAD-Moon (sold separately).

  • Real-time clock for 64-bit message timestamping.

Logging and Simulation

  • Fully-programmable scripting and standalone logging functionality.

  • SD card logging of all traffic.

  • Software-configurable sleep mode.

  • Low power modes.

  • Comatose support; device wakeup can be triggered by all 12 CAN transceivers, all 4 LIN channels, by USB or by the membrane keypad.

PC Interface and SD Card Support

  • High-speed isolated USB connection protects PC from potential damage.

  • Support for microSD cards up to 128 GB in size.

  • Data can be unloaded from the microSD card via USB without the need to remove the card, or via the included card reader.

  • Download speeds of up to 3.2 MB/s.

  • Firmware-based SD card presence and card door detector.

Advanced Features

  • Device control by external software using three open APIs: neoVI DLL, SAE J2534, and TMC RP1210 A/B.

  • USB host slot for hardware expandability, such as powering a RAD-Moon or using a neoVI MIC microphone/trigger pendant.

2.5. Hardware and Software Requirements

Only a small amount of hardware is required to use the neoVI FIRE 2:

  • A vehicle network, either within an actual vehicle or in a test bench environment.

  • A DC power supply capable of providing 4.5V to 40V of DC power, with a nominal current of 250 mA at 12V. Your network setup must include wiring capable of providing this power on pin 25 of a female DB-25 connector that connects to a FIRE 2 cable; see Chapter 8 for pinout details.

  • A PC with an open standard USB 2.0 (or higher) port. You can use a USB hub, but we recommend that this be a powered hub to ensure that sufficient power is provided.

Additional hardware may be required for some uses of the device:

  • Interfacing to a BroadR-Reach (100BASE-T1) Automotive Ethernet network requires an Intrepid RAD-Moon or similar media converter device.

  • Additional cables may be needed, depending on the nature of the network to which the neoVI FIRE 2 is being connected.

Intrepid’s Vehicle Spy Professional is recommended for use with the FIRE 2, and provides everything you need to set up your hardware and use all of its capabilities. The setup program for VSpy will also install the necessary drivers for your FIRE 2. If you do not have a VSpy license, you can use the Vehicle Spy trial version for basic network interfacing and driver setup. Drivers can also be set up using the API kit installer. All of this software can be found on the disc that comes with the FIRE 2, or if necessary, can be downloaded from the Intrepid web site at http://www.intrepidcs.com. Installation instructions can be found in Chapter 4.

Please refer to the Vehicle Spy documentation for its more specific PC hardware and operating system requirements and recommendations. Note, however, that Vehicle Spy will run on most modern Windows-based PCs.