Characteristics Tab

Characteristics are typically read-write calibrations stored in an ECU. The ASAP2 Editor supports these 3 types:

• Value - a single value with no axis.

• Curve - an array of values with an X axis.

• Map - a table of values with X and Y axes.

The Characteristics tab has a table to display all A2L file Characteristic items and their properties. Each row (below the 1st filtering row) defines a Characteristic and each column is a property. The default column configuration is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: The Characteristics tab in the A2L file item area.

Columns in the table can be filtered, reorganized, added, and hidden. These table features are common across all tabs in this area. To add items to the table you can:

• Drag/drop symbols from an ECU map file.
• Use the Create tool or right click menu selection.
• Import an existing A2L file.

To edit items already in the table with the Edit Characteristic dialog you can:

• Double click on a cell in the table.

• Use the Edit tool or right click menu selection.

Refer to Table 1 below for a description of each column on the Characteristics tab.

Table 1: Column Descriptions for the Characteristics Tab

Default Columns	Description
Name	Unique identifier of the Characteristic. Here are the main requirements for this field: Max overall length = 1024 characters. Max partial string length = 128 characters. Allowed characters: A - Z, a - z, 0 - 9, underscores, periods, and brackets [ ]. Must NOT contain spaces. First character must be a letter or an underscore. Any brackets must occur in pairs at the end of a partial string. Any bracket pairs must surround a number or string. Name is case sensitive. (i.e. "b" and "B" are considered unique) If in doubt about valid names, please refer to the ASAM specifications.
Type	The ASAP2 Editor supports these 3 types of Characteristics: Value - a single value with no axis. Curve - an array of values with 1 axis. Map - a table of values with 2 axes.
Address	Memory Address of the Characteristic.
Deposit	Specifies the data structure. The default layout will update depending upon the Data Type field. The dropdown selections come from the Record Layouts tab. The Data Type over on the Record Layout tab must match the Data Type field on this dialog.
Conversion	Applies the selected Conversion Method to the value. The dropdown selections come from the Conversion Methods tab.
LowerLimit	Lower limit of plausible range of values. A default limit is determined mathematically by the Data Type selection. Note: The default limit is reapplied each time the Data Type is changed.
UpperLimit	Upper limit of plausible range of values. A default limit is determined mathematically by the Data Type selection. Note: The default limit is reapplied each time the Data Type is changed.
BitMask	Masks out single bits of the value to be processed. 0xFF = no mask for that byte. This property defaults to no masking with the number of 0xFF's determined by the Data Type selection. Note: The default mask is reapplied each time the Data Type is changed.
MaxDiff	Maximum adjustment allowed to the Characteristic. Entered as an absolute value, not as a percentage.
Format	Display formatting applied to numerical values. If specified, this Format property overrides any formatting in the Conversion Method property. The syntax for this field is: %Length.Layout Length = overall length Layout = number of decimal places
In Group	The Group this item is in.
Data Type	Determines the number of bytes dedicated to the value and how those bytes are interpreted. This property should be chosen early because it applies defaults to the Bit Mask, Lower/Upper Limit, and Extended Lower/Upper Limit properties. UBYTE - 1 byte unsigned integer SBYTE - 1 byte signed integer UWORD - 2 byte unsigned integer SWORD - 2 byte signed integer ULONG - 4 byte unsigned integer SLONG - 4 byte signed integer FLOAT32_IEEE - 4 byte (32 bit) floating point IEEE format FLOAT64_IEEE - 8 byte (64 bit) floating point IEEE format FLOAT32_TASKING - 4 byte (32 bit) floating point tasking format

Hidden Columns	Description
CalibrationAccess	There are 4 types of access for MCD systems (test tools): CALIBRATION - read and write allowed. NO_CALIBRATION - read only. NOT_IN_MCD_SYSTEM - read and write not allowed, for internal ECU use only. OFFLINE_CALIBRATION - read allowed, write only allowed offline.
DisplayIdentifier	An alternative display name that is usually much shorter than the Name property. Can be useful for devices with small display areas.
Extended Lower Limit	Extends the lower limit of plausible values. Can be useful for generating warnings when the Lower Limit is exceeded. A default limit is determined mathematically by the Data Type selection. Note: The default limit is reapplied each time the Data Type is changed.
Extended Upper Limit	Extends the upper limit of plausible values. Can be useful for generating warnings when the Upper Limit is exceeded. A default limit is determined mathematically by the Data Type selection. Note: The default limit is reapplied each time the Data Type is changed.
KeyName	Name from a map file symbol dropped into the A2L item area.
LongIdentifier	Comment or description.
Manual Flag	Manual flag setting from the Address tab on the Characteristic's edit dialog.