User Guide > Link
In physical Ethernet networks, Ethernet ports on computer boards, Ethernet switches and other wired Ethernet-capable devices like camera sensors are connected together using CAT cables, optical fibers or even twisted pair cables when weight and price must be minimized like in an automotive architecture. Twisted pair cables have therefore also been the basis for constructin LIN and CAN buses within the automotive industry.
In a virtual architecture constructed in TCN TimeAnalysis, all these different cables are represented by a Link. Having created a number of Hosts, Switches, CAN buses etc., you then create individual Links to connect for example two Ethernet ports on a Host and a Switch, two Ethernet ports on two Switches or a Host’s CAN port to a CAN bus.
To enable interactive connection mode, click the Connect button in the Toolbar.
Now you can click on any non-connected port or component with non-connected ports and drag to a port/component with the same network type (CAN/LIN/Ethernet) to create a connection In the case of components, the port with the lowest port number will be used.
If you connect two Bus Ports directly, a Bus between the Ports will be created automatically via a Bus dialog.
If the topology is large and the devices are placed far from each other - it might be easier to create connections using comboboxes:
To add a new Ethernet Link to your system model, click the Ethernet button in the Toolbar.
This will open the Ethernet Link dialog:
Select the Source Switch Port and any reachable Target Host/Sensor/Switch Port, specify the cable length and click OK.
To add a new CAN Link to your system model, click the CAN button in the Toolbar.
This will open the CAN Link dialog:
Select the Source Bus and any reachable Target Host Port and click OK.
To add a new LIN Link to your system model, click the LIN button in the Toolbar.
This will open the LIN Link dialog:
Select the Source Bus and any reachable Target Host Port and click OK.
The following actions are available for existing Links - right-click on a Link in the topology or the tree view:
Disconnect | Removes the Link from the
topology. Note! this will affect for example flows where this Link is used. |