vFlash - Programming ECUs over CAN, CAN FD, FlexRay, LIN or Ethernet

vFlash is a very easy-to-use tool for programming ECUs via diagnostics (e.g. UDS). Thanks to the vFlash plug-in concept, vFlash can be used for all your projects. vFlash already supports more than 130 different flash specifications from over 80 vehicle manufacturers and can be easily extended.

Advantages

Flexible

Flashing via all networks relevant for diagnostics: CAN, CAN FD, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet (DoIP, SoAd = AUTOSAR Socket Adaptor)
“Out-of-the-box” support for several Flash specifications from various OEMs

Easy

Easy exchange of preconfigured Flash projects in one package (.vflashpack)
Quick and easy creation of flash projects for different bootloaders, based on the vFlash templates

Fast

High transfer rate: Example: transfer of 1.000 kByte data in 36,6 s (27,3 kByte/s) into an idealized reference ECU over CAN at 500 kBit/s with STmin = 0, BS = 0

Complete

Support of various data formats
Interactive control via GUI or automated control via API
Remote software update/flashing from a distance

Application Areas

vFlash is designed for all users at automotive OEMs and suppliers whose tasks include (re-)programming of ECUs. vFlash allows users to flash ECUs in the laboratory, at programming stations, at a laboratory vehicle or in the vehicle very efficiently.

vFlash can be controlled via a graphical user interface or it can be simply integrated as a library in an existing environment. With the special edition “vFlash Station” you may simultaneously flash up to 8 ECUs each on a separate communication channel.

vFlash Bootloader Support

Vector offers prepared vFlash Templates for a large number of different automotive OEMs and bootloaders.

Case Study

Remote Diagnostics & Flashing - Enormous Time Savings at Webasto Battery Systems

The demand for Webasto battery systems is growing steadily. The Field Application Engineers (FAE) are faced with the challenge of meeting a support demand that is growing by 50-100% annually. This cannot be easily compensated for by expanding the FAE team in terms of personnel.

Enormous time savings with Vector´s remote diagnostic tools Indigo and vFlash: Without remote diagnostic tools, about 90% of the customer meetings took place on-site. Today the ratio is reversed, about 85% of the meetings take place remotely. As a result, instead of 1-2 customer issues per week, up to 10 customer issues are now processed per FAE.

Highlights Version 7

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Remote Extensions DoIP Enhancements Additional Optimizations

vFlash Remote Extensions

vFlash Remote now supports the use of manufacturer-specific security mechanisms, even if they are not available at the location of use.
New vFlash Remote infrastructure: Significantly easier user handling and now also security certified by Security Assessment.

DoIP Enhancements

Support of different OEM-specific “in-vehicle Ethernet/DoIP” protocols, such as “Volvo Car in-ve-hicle DoIP”.
Simplified configuration: Selection of the adapter directly in vFlash and easy to understand display of all essential settings and properties.
Optional use of a user-defined tester MAC address

Additional Optimizations

vFlash already supports a large number of manufacturer-specific ODX-F extensions (e.g. external signature files). With the new version 7 vFlash now offers the possibility to program flash sessions from multiple ODX-F files (EcuMems) in one programming process.
With the new “Statistic View”, the user can immediately see what takes up the most time in a flash process and where optimizations can be made.
vFlash now also supports the new Mazda vbf Flash container format.

Further Functions

Flexible referencing of flashware in the development phase for quick testing of made code changes or simple exchange of preconfigured flash projects in a single package
Tracing of the CAN communication for later analysis in case of an error
Authentication based on the cross-tool applicable Security Manager sources from OEMs and suppliers
Protection of DoIP communication by means of TLS (ISO13400-3).
Flexible extension of OEM flash sequences by so-called “custom actions”, which are executed before and/or after flashing
Direct “native” programming of data in Intel-Hex, Motorola-S and binary format or alternatively programming based on container formats like ODX-F and manufacturer-specific formats
Documentation and quality assurance of flash actions in flash reports using custom action
Encoding or data backup with data recovery using custom actions
Flashing of compressed and encrypted data
Interactive flashing via the user interface and automated flashing via a programming interface (C API and C# API), for process integration and integration into an existing software environment
Validation of the flash bootloader in the ECU in combination with CANoe.DiVa (via CAN, FlexRay, DoIP, LIN)
Standalone flashing with the VN8810 intelligent diagnostic hardware
The “vFlash Station” variant enables simultaneous flashing of several ECUs, each via a separate channel
Simultaneous flashing of several identical LIN ECUs using “LIN Broadcast Flashing”
Remote flashing of ECUs from any location with vFlash Remote - can also be used outside of a company network

Remote Flashing

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Highlights Functions Download Access Point

With vFlash Remote the user can reprogram ECUs independent of location.

Users benefit from the following advantages:

Easy reprogramming of ECUs remotely - entirely independent of location and without much organizational effort or cost.
High degrees of flexibility and reliability, especially on vehicle test drives and offshore production plants.
Secure and reliable flashing procedure
Intuitive setup of the remote communication infrastructure.
Increased efficiency and reduced costs thanks to usage of existing vFlash packages.

vFlash Remote is executed by the expert in his office. It controls the reprogramming procedure. The Access Point runs at the vehicle/ECU location and updates the ECU(s) with new software.

vFlash Access Point may be executed either

Simply via the intelligent VN8810 Diagnostic Device which already integrates the vFlash Access Point.
Via a Windows-based PC with an installed vFlash Access Point and Vector Network Interface.

The download of the vFlash Access Point required for this can be requested by clicking the TAB "Download Access Point" at this content element.

The remote connection between vFlash Remote and the vFlash Access Point is always encrypted. This ensures that flash data cannot be seen or manipulated by third parties. Furthermore, the transfer of flash data to the Access Point is decoupled from ECU reprogramming. Reprogramming is not started until the data to be flashed has been fully transferred to the Access Point and has passed a plausibility check.

The user gets added transparency from continuous display of progress information during the flash procedure, qualified status feedback after completion and optional generation of a report for documentation purposes.

Like vFlash, vFlash Remote works with flash templates which implement the flash specifications of the automotive OEMs. Currently, more than 140 templates are available for over 80 different OEMs.

vFlash Remote Access Point - Request Download

Supported Interfaces

Interface	CAN(FD)	FlexRay	LIN	Ethernet (DoIP, SoAd)
VN16XX	X		X
VN8810 (as standalone flash device)	X		X	X
VN5610A, VN5620/VN5430, VN5640, VN5650/VN5240, VN5611/VN5612/VN5601	X			X
VN7572, VN8970, VN8972	X	X	X
VN7600, VN7610	X	X
VN7640	X	X	X	X
VX10xx	X⁽¹⁾	X⁽¹⁾
VX0312	X			X
PC interface				X⁽²⁾

⁽¹⁾ = with option CAN respectively FlexRay

⁽²⁾ = without SoAd support

Editions

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Standard Station Remote

vFlash Standard is the Edition for reprogramming single ECUs over CAN (FD), LIN, FlexRay and Ethernet (DoIP and SoAd). It can be used on a PC, on a VN8810, VN89xx, and VT System.

If installed on a PC it offers a graphical user interface for creating and configuring flash setups and for flashing ECUs. It also offers a simple C and C# programming interface (API) to create own applications that use vFlash to execute reprogramming.
If installed on a VN8810 vFlash can be used as standalone flash device.
If installed on a VN89xx or VT System vFlash is usually controlled by CANoe. In this case CANoe is executing extensive test scenarios and triggers vFlash to change the software as required (e.g. switch between test software and drive software).

The vFlash Station edition is used for parallel reprogramming of up to eight (8) ECUs via a separate CAN (FD), LIN, FlexRay or Ethernet (DoIP) channel. The edition is used on a PC. It offers a simple C and C# programming interface (API) to create your own applications that perform different automation tasks and additionally control vFlash.

The use of the vFlash Station is explained by several examples (C++ and C#) included in the scope of delivery. Based on these examples, an existing automation software can be easily extended.

vFlash Remote is an additional option that extends vFlash to reprogram ECUs from a distant location. The vFlash option Remote requires a current version of vFlash. An ECU/module expert can remotely reprogram ECUs from his office - world-wide or just at a distant development garage. Only the expert requires vFlash and vFlash Option Remote. On the vehicle side only the vFlash Access Point is necessary. It can be downloaded for free from the Vector website.

Product Descriptions

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Documents System Requirements KnowledgeBase

vFlash Standard

	Recommendation	Minimum
Operating System*	Windows 10 (≥ version 1803)
CPU	Intel compatible > 2 GHz ≥ 2 cores	Intel compatible 1 GHz 2 cores
Memory	4 GB	2 GB
Screen resolution	> 1280 x 1024	1024 x 768

vFlash Station

	Recommendation	Minimum
Operating System*	Windows 10 (≥ version 1803)
CPU	Intel compatible > 2,5 GHz ≥ 4 cores	Intel compatible 1 GHz 2 cores
Memory	8 GB	4 GB
Screen resolution**	-	-

* Not virtualized. Running in a virtual machine is possible but not tested. Operation with Vector hardware may be affected by virtualization, e.g., higher latencies may occur.
^{** Only library, no graphical user interface}

Do you have technical questions and are looking for suitable answers? Our KnowledgeBase provides the most important!

Visit the KnowledgeBase

Downloads

2021-06-28
vFlash Remote 7 SP1
2021-06-28
vFlash 7 SP1
2021-05-06
Visual Studio Extension for Diagnostic Sequence Authoring
2021-03-17
vFlash 6 SP4
2021-03-17
vFlash Remote 6 SP4
2020-07-24
vFlash 5.0 SP3
2019-04-24
vFlash 4.0 SP3
2019-03-26
Flashing ECUs from a Distance with vFlash Remote
2019-02-20
AN-IDG-1-018 Automated Flashing and Testing with CANoe, vFlash and VN89xx
2018-12-11
vFlash 3.1 SP3

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News / Events

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News Events Recorded Webinars

2021-10-05
Good to Know - Two New Video Series on Flashing and Remote Diagnostics

2021-08-27
WM Motor and MICROSAR.OTA: A Team With "Weltmeister"-Potential

2021-07-12
Indigo 8 - Exact-fit Diagnostic Tester with Remote Functionality

2021-06-22
Vector and Somit Solutions Cooperate to Improve the Journey from Engineering to Aftersales

2021-04-26
Certificate-Based Authentication in Vehicle Diagnostics - What's behind it?

Show all news (328)

2021-10-26 Webinar: Testing of Security-Protected ECUs and Networks With the Security...
2021-11-18 Webinar: Vehicle Diagnostic Testing – Quick and Easy with Indigo
2021-11-18 Webinar: Applying ISO/IEC 29119 to AI-based Systems and ML Processes
2021-11-26 Webinar: Plug&Play Remote Diagnostics for ISO 22900-2 compatible...
2021-12-02 Webinar: Automated Testing of Diagnostic Protocol Implementation and...
2021-12-07 Webinar: Remote Diagnostics and -Flashing
2021-12-09 Webinar: Custom Actions in vFlash – Powerful and Easy to Use Option to...
2021-12-10 Webinar: CANdelaStudio – Authoring Tool for ECU Diagnostic Specification

2021-10-14 OBD Diagnostics – Indigo as OBD / WWH OBD Scan Tool
2021-10-07 Flashing ECUs over CAN (FD), Ethernet, FlexRay or LIN with vFlash
2021-08-11 Interactive Diagnostic Scan Tool with Remote Diagnostics...
2021-07-14 Parallel Flashing Solution for End of Line
2021-06-30 UDS Diagnostics Handling in AUTOSAR
2021-06-23 Automated Testing of Diagnostic Protocol Implementation and...
2021-06-16 A Comparison of SAE J1939 and UDS (ISO 14229) Diagnostic...
2021-06-09 Vehicle Diagnostic Testing – Quick and Easy with Indigo

Training

The number and complexity of control units used in automobiles has increased tremendously. It is therefore important to include diagnostics in the development process of control units from an early stage.

Our training classes and workshops will provide you not only with a basic understanding of diagnostics. Especially with practical exercises you will gain a comprehensive view on the Vector diagnostic tool chain.