National Instruments has announced NI-XNET CAN and FlexRay embedded network interfaces for prototyping automotive designs.

The NI-XNET embedded networks platform consists of 14 new high-performance PCI- and PXI-based interfaces for FlexRay and CAN and a new, universal API for rapid application development.

The platform is designed for demanding applications, such as hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and end-of-line test, which require hundreds of signals and submillisecond latency.

It delivers a single API for both CAN and FlexRay networks and devices so that the same software can run on either network without rewriting code. To simplify application development, the API and hardware translate signals from scaled units to raw network data with native signal database integration.

NI-XNET software includes a signal database editor that makes it possible to import and edit database files in industry-standard formats such as FIBEX and .DBC, giving engineers the ability to manage any design changes that impact the network data.

The software also provides a bus monitor utility, which makes it possible for engineers to quickly view, log and diagnose bus data for simplified troubleshooting.