International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT) volume 4 Issue 6June 2013

ISSN: 2231-2803 http://www.ijcttjournal.org Page 1955

Emulation of Automotive Communication
protocol Single Edge Nibble Transmission(SENT)
using Aurix Family of Microcontrollers
Srinivas Nakka
#1
, Prof. Badarinath K
#2

#1
M.Tech., Department of CSE, R.V.C.E., Bangalore - 560059, India
#2
Assistant Professor, Department of CSE, R.V.C.E., Bangalore - 560059, India


Abstract Point to point communication between sensor
and the Embedded Control Unit (ECU) is a very important
and basic task in automotive domain. But, there are no
efficient protocols to implement the same. Earlier
protocols used to fulfill the communication between
Transmitter (sensor) and receiver (ECU) is Analog output
protocol and Pulse width modulation protocol. But, there
are many difficulties w.r.t cost, speed, diagnosis etc... So,
the alternate solution to replace the two earlier protocols
and improve the performance w.r.t Speed of operation and
Cost is the Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT)
Protocol.
SENT is a unidirectional communication scheme
from sensor/transmitting device to receiving/ECU. The
sensor signal is transmitted as a series of pulses with data
encoded as falling to falling edge periods. Details of the
signal encoding may vary for specific sensor. SENT frame
sent from the sensor will be received by the TIM (Timer
Input Module), sub module of GTM (Generic Timer
Module). Another sub module of GTM namely MCS
(multi-channel sequencer) is used to process the frame.
MCS is configured such that it allows +/-20% clock
deviation for the data frames; detects CRC errors;
generates interrupts on CRC error, data error, calibration
error etc.
SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) defines a level of
standardization in the implementation of the digital pulse
scheme for reporting sensor information. This standard
will allow ECU and tool manufacturers to satisfy the needs
of multiple end users with minimum modifications to the
basic design. This will benefit vehicle Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) by achieving lower ECU costs due
to higher industry volumes of the basic design.
Keywords-SENT, MCS, TIM, ARU, CAN, LIN
I. INTRODUCTION
The Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) is
intended for use in applications where high resolution
sensor data needs to be communicated froma sensor to
an Embedded Control Unit (ECU) [1][2]. It is intended
as a replacement for the lower resolution methods of 10
bit A/Ds and PWM and as a simpler low cost alternative
to CAN(Controller Area Network)[3][4][5] or
LIN(Local interconnect Network). The implementation
assumes that the sensor is a smart sensor containing a
microprocessor or dedicated logic device (e.g.: ASIC) to
create the signal.
SENT is a unidirectional communication scheme
from sensor/transmitting device. The sensor signal is
transmitted as a series of pulses with data encoded as
falling to falling edge periods. Details of the signal
encoding may vary for specific sensor.
SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission)
defines a level of standardization in the implementation
International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT) volume 4 Issue 6June 2013

ISSN: 2231-2803 http://www.ijcttjournal.org Page 1956

of the digital pulse scheme for reporting sensor
information. This standard will allow ECU and tool
manufacturers to satisfy the needs of multiple end users
with minimummodifications to the basic design. This
will benefit vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs) by achieving lower ECU costs due to higher
industry volumes of the basic design [6].
The requirements stated this project provides a
minimumstandard level of performance to which all
compatible ECUs and media shall be designed. This
assures data communication among all connected
devices regardless of supplier. The software is intended
to be implemented using the features of Aurix family of
Infineon Microcontrollers, with optimal usage of
resources, which includes RAM, ROM and CPU
runtime. The microcontroller peripherals that will be
used for the implementations must be such that the
interrupt loads for the performance of the functionality
should not starve other functionalities. Since this is a
critical communication protocol, timing parameters are
of high importance. This has to be ensured and handled
for different CPU loads.

II. OBJ ECTIVE
A. To maintain low memory footprint.
B. To provide support for multiple SENT channels
working parallel without affecting each other.
C. Since the sensor and the microcontroller are
decoupled in terms of clock signal, clock
deviations are to be addressed. As a target
i) Only systems within a maximum+/-
20% timing range will be allowed.
ii) If the Ratio of calibration pulse to
message length varies by >1.5625% or
<-1.5625%, should raise error flag.
D. To maintain least CPU overhead.
III. METHODOLOGY
A. Through efficient coding algorithms low memory
footprint will be maintained. The entire protocol
module is divided into different routines, and
each routine is implemented by using efficient
and standardized algorithmic methods (i.e., one
routine for clock deviation evaluation, one
routine for CRC checksumetc...)
B. The SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission)
protocol makes use of MCS (Multi Channel
Sequencer) [7], which is meant for calculating
complex output sequences and to perform
extended data processing of input data resulting
fromthe TIM (Timer Input Module) sub module
that are provided to the CPU module, to support
for multiple SENT channels working parallel
without affecting each other using the rich set of
instructions.
C. The clock deviation evaluation algorithm
implemented in assembly language using MCS
instruction is used to fix the problem raised
because of the change in period or duty cycle of
the digital clock pulse, in this way we can solve
clock deviation problem occurred within +/-
20% time range in case of data nibbles and
status pulse.
International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT) volume 4 Issue 6June 2013

ISSN: 2231-2803 http://www.ijcttjournal.org Page 1957

IV. BLOCK DIAGRAM

Figure 1: Emulation of SENT protocol block diagram
The very important Module in implementing SENT
protocol is GTM (Generic Timer Module) [7]. First step
in GTM is picking up the resources fromGTM which
will be replicating the functionality of actual SENT
module IP, and implementing protocol using those
resource modules of GTM. The important modules of
GTM used here for implementing SENT protocol are
TIM (Timer Input Module), ARU (Advanced Routing
Unit) and MCS (Multi Channel Sequencer) [7], these will
be connected as shown in Figure 1.
TIM is responsible for capturing the signals and note
doen its characteristics(like Falling to falling edge count,
falling to rising edge count) whichever are driving into
the GTM module fromoutside world.
ARU(Advanced Routing Unit) is responsible for
establishing the data streambetween its source(in this
case it is TIM) and destination( fromfigure 1 its MCS).
MCS (Multi Channel Sequencer) is responsible for
Processing the signal which ever is driven into it through
ARU and decode the same. MCS architecture supports
its own instruction set, Decoding and ALU unit.

V. STRUCTURE CHART

Figure 2: Structure chart of SENT protocol

The purpose of SENT protocol at the receiver module
is to validate and decoding of he SENT frame received
by the Microcontroller Unit. First step is to wait for he
SENT frame to be appeared at the Module, Validate the
Duty Cycle, Period of Calibration pulse, Status nibble
and the data nibbles. After Validation, Clock deviation
evaluation followed by Result buffer updation and CRC
calculation is done as shown in Figure 2.

VI. CONCLUSION
This project aims at developing SENT protocol, to
achieve reduction in cost and high performance.
Reference designs provided by microcontroller vendors
will assist faster development process for the customers.
This will help to circumvent the lead time for a product
development.
The hardware in the Microcontroller provides15
SENT channels, but current trend in the market requires
more than 15 SENT channels for ECU (Embedded
Control Unit). This cannot be achieved by the
International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT) volume 4 Issue 6June 2013

ISSN: 2231-2803 http://www.ijcttjournal.org Page 1958

microcontroller. Since this is a high baud rate protocol,
emulating this in microcontroller would consume almost
all its resources in rationing the interrupts. This will
affect all other functionalities of the ECU (Embedded
Control Unit). Hence a smarter solution is required. This
project includes, colligating alternative resources &
alternate methodologies to performthe functionalities of
SENT protocol without poignant the performance of the
microcontroller. SENT is the Best Alternative to Replace
High cost CAN (Baud rate of CAN is 1 Mbps) [8] and
LIN protocols.

VII. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank Prof. Badarinath for
his support throughout the project life cycle. My
sincere thanks R V College of engineering for
giving me the opportunity and a solid platform to
prove my abilities. Thanks to my Family members
and friends, without their support and love its
impossible to complete the project work in time.


REFERENCES

[1] SAE International SURFACE VEHICLE
INFORMATION REPORT, (R) SENT- Single Edge
Nibble Transmission for Automotive Applications, J2716
JAN2010
[2] Laurent Beaurenaut, SENT simulator users guide
Application Note, V1.2, November 2007,
[3] Robert Bosch GmbH, CAN Specification, Version 2.0,
1991.
[4] Pazul, K. Controller Area Network (CAN) Basics,
Microchip Technology Inc, 1999
[5] Steve Corrigan, Introduction to the Controller Area
Network (CAN), Texas Instrument, Application Report,
2008.
[6] Josef Kramolis, Roznov pod Radhostem, SENT/SPC
Driver for the MPC5510 Microcontroller Family, ,
AN4219,REV. 0, 10/2010

[7] Internal Target Specification GTM, V2.4, 2011-08
[8] Karl Henrick johansson, Martin Torngren, Lars Nielsen,
vehicle applications of Controller Area network,2010.