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Create/Edit Characteristics

PreviousCreate/Edit MeasurementsNextEdit Characteristic Axes

Last updated 2 years ago

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.

To create or edit Characteristics in an A2L file use the in the main toolbar or the while the is active in the A2L file area. A tabbed dialog will open similar to that shown in Figure 1.

Table 1: Characteristic Properties on the General Tab

Property
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.

Long Identifier

Comment or description.

ECU Address

Display Identifier

Alternative display name that is usually shorter than the Name property. Useful for devices with small display areas.

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.

Record Layout

Conversion Method

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

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 Record Layout, Lower/Upper Limit, Extended Lower/Upper Limit, and Bitmask 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

Calibration Access

There are 4 types of access for MCD systems or 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.

Lower Limit

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.

Upper Limit

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.

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.

Bit Mask

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.

Max Diff

Maximum adjustment allowed to the Characteristic. Entered as an absolute value, not as a percentage.

The General tab defines most of the Characteristic properties and these are described in Table 1 below. The defines memory addressing for the Characteristic. One or both of the will appear if the Type is a curve or map. The supports unique data that a tool may need to run properly. Use the OK button to close the dialog and save any changes. Use the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving any changes.

Memory address of the Characteristic. Data comes from the , so use that tab instead to change this data.

Specifies the data structure. The default layout will update depending upon the Data Type field. The dropdown selections come from the . The Data Type over on the Record Layout tab must match the Data Type field on this dialog.

Applies the selected Conversion Method to the value. The dropdown selections come from the .

Address tab
Axis tabs
Interface Data tab
Address tab
Record Layouts tab
Conversion Methods tab
Create or Edit tools
right click menu
Characteristics tab
Figure 1: The dialog for creating or editing A2L file Characteristics.