2. Introduction and Overview

2.1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a RAD-Gigastar or RAD-Gigastar Lite from Intrepid Control Systems (ICS). Both devices serve as 1000BASE-T1 Active Taps. The RAD-Gigastar contains additional features than the lite version to allow it to support many other networks and use cases.

2.2. Package Contents

Upon receipt, please remove, unwrap and inspect all its contents. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Intrepid for prompt assistance using the Customer Support information at the end of this guide.

2.2.1. Hardware

Your RAD-Gigastar package includes the following:

  • The RAD-Gigastar device

  • 2x 1000BASE-T SFP Modules

  • 2x A standard 8-wire Ethernet cable (CAT5e)

  • 2x MATEnet 1000BASE-T1 cables

  • A standard USB Type B to Type C SuperSpeed cable

  • A 12 Volt Power Supply (not included - purchase separately)

2.2.2. Software

Unless physical media was specifically requested, your box should contain a reference card with instructions on where to download the device drivers and any other purchased software. If your media or reference card cannot be located, please contact Customer Support.

2.3. Device Overview

The RAD-Gigastar contains a number of different network interfaces and features to allow it to support a wide variety of use cases.

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2.3.1. Product Features

  • Automotive Voltage Range Operation (5V-48V)

  • Super-Speed isolated USB connection protecting PC from potential damage.

  • Automatic or static master/slave PHY configuration

  • LED indicators for Link Status and Network Activity

  • Compact design: 7.30” x 4.4” x 1.6”.

  • Rugged aluminum enclosure with rubber bumpers for durability

  • Light weight: less than 1 lb. (.45 kg).

  • MATEnet connection systems for 1000BASE-T1 Ethernet connections

2.3.2. Network Interfaces

  • 2x Marvell 88Q2112 1000BASE-T1 PHYs

  • 2x 1000BASE-X SFP Ports

  • Isolated USB 3 host connection

2.3.3. Optional Features (Not present in RAD-Gigastar Lite)

Additional Network Interfaces

  • 6x CAN-FD

  • 1x LIN / K-Line

  • 2x Flexray (RX only)

  • DoIP Activation Line

Stand-alone logging

  • Standard 64GB internal NVM

  • Optional NVM up to 512 GB

  • 400-480 Gbps write speeds

  • Axis Camera Hosting

Embedded scripting and simulation

In addition to running scripts from a host PC, these same scripts can be compiled to run on the RAD-Gigastars embedded processor as a stand-alone device.

RAD-Gigastar Lite

Note that the RAD-Gigastar Lite does not contain the optional content of CAN, LIN, DoIP, Stand-alone Logging, and embedded scripting and simulation.

2.4. Operational Overview and Use Cases

The following section will outline some of the more common use cases, however it should not be interpreted as a complete list of the device’s full capabilities.

2.4.1. Ethernet Use Cases

Single 100/1000BASE-T1 Active Tap

_images/Usecase-Single-T1.png

The RAD-Gigastar can be used as an active tap between two 100/1000BASE-T1 devices. In this configuration, the RAD-Gigastar is connected to a host computer using either of the SFP ports and one of the provided 1000BASE-T SFP modules. In this mode, the RAD-Gigastar serves as a “man-in-the-middle” sending copies of frames between the two devices to the host computer running either Vehicle Spy or an application using the dll provided by ICS.

Low Latency Tapping

The default confiuration of RAD-Gigastar’s active tap is “store & forward” mode. This introduces some latency because the entire frame must be received on one port before it is forwarded to the other. There is also a “low latency” mode, however this prohibits the ability to inject messages into the communication between ECUs using Vehicle Spy software.

Single Mixed-Media Active Tap

_images/Usecase-single-mixed-media.png

This use case is identical to the previous, except one of the ECUs is connected to an SFP port. The media in the SFP port can be 1000BASE-T or any other SFP module that has been validated by ICS to insure compatibility. The host computer is connected to the RAD-Gigastar using the remaining open SFP port.

Dual Media Converter

_images/usecase-dual-media-converter.png

There is no host PC in this configuration, but the RAD-Gigastar is simply converting 100/1000BASe-T1 to whatever media is provided by the SFP modules present in the SPF ports.

2.4.2. CAN FD/LIN/FlexRay Network Interfacing (optional)

In addition to Ethernet networks, an optional function of the RAD-Gigastar is to act as an interface between multiple vehicle networks and a standard PC. Using the provided cables, you can connect your device to either a bench test setup or an actual vehicle, and monitor live network activity. All channels are captured simultaneously with precision hardware time-stamps. Data is transferred from vehicle networks to a host PC where it can be viewed in software such as Vehicle Spy.

2.4.3. Simulation and Scripting (Optional)

Using Vehicle Spy you can define transmit messages on any network 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 embedded scripts which can run within the device itself. This functionality allows you to create specialized test scenarios, and to simulate ECUs and gateways.

2.4.4. PHY Register access

In any mode, each PHY can be accessed by the embedded processor over MDIO in order to read and write configurations registers. More information can be found in PHY Dashboard

2.5. Hardware Requirements

2.5.1. Device Power

The RAD-Gigastar requires a DC supply between 5V-40V that provides 30 watts or more. It draws a nominal current of 2A at 12V.

Power can supplied either by the barrel jack or through the DB-26 connector. See Device Power and Vehicle Network Interfaces for specific pin assignments.

2.5.2. Computer Interface

Connection to a computer is needed both for configuration of the tool as well as to communicate with the device if you intend to use Vehicle Spy or Intrepid’s available API.

As a hardware device, there are no specific requirements on the computer aside from the proper interface and the proper device driver installed. There are 2 ways to connect the RAD-Gigastar to a host computer.

SFP Port (typically 1000BASE-T)

Either SFP port can be used to connect the RAD-Gigastar to a host computer through a 1000BASE-T Ethernet Adapter. No specific drivers are required.

IT Policies

With IT security a growing concern, many IT departments block certain types of Ethernet traffic and communication. In some cases, this has been found to interfere with Intrepid devices connected to a host computer using Ethernet. If you find you are having trouble please contact our Customer Support.

USB 3.0 (Type C Connector)

This port can be used to connect RAD-Gigastar to a host PC instead of using one of the SFP ports. A slow connection is sufficient to configure the device. But to take full advantage of Gigabit speeds, it is important to connect to a certified USB 3 port using a USB 3.0 cable certified for SuperSpeed. Using inferior hardware and cables may result in erratic performance.