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

vFlash is designed for all users at automotive OEMs and suppliers whose tasks include (re-)programming of ECUs. It supports already more than 70 different flash specifications and is simply expandable via a plugin concept.

Advantages

Flashing via CAN, CAN FD, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet (DoIP, SoAd = AUTOSAR Socket Adaptor)
Simple exchange of pre-configured flash projects in one package (.vflashpack)
High transfer rate:
Example: transfer of 1.000 kByte data in 36,6 s (27,3 kByte/s) in idealized reference ECU over CAN at 500 kBit/s with STmin = 0, BS = 0
Support of numerous flash specifications (protocols and flash sequences) simply expandable via plugin concept with flash templates
Direct “native” programming of data in Intel hex, Motorola-S and binary format
Quick and uncomplicated creation of flash projects for different bootloader based on so-called “Flash Templates”
Flash programming based on container formats like ODX-F and OEM-specific formats
Documentation of flash actions in flash reports
Tracing of CAN raw data for later analysis in case of an error
Flashing of compressed and encrypted data
Interactive flashing via the GUI as well as automated flashing over a programming interface (C API / C# API)
Validation of the flash bootloader in the ECU in combination with CANoe.DiVa (via CAN, FlexRay, DoIP, LIN)
Standalone flashing with the Intelligent Diagnostic Device VN8810
Simultaneous flashing of several ECUs each on a separate communication channel with “vFlash Station”

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 flash templates for a large number of different automotive OEMs and bootloaders.

Highlights Version 4

Advanced Security Features

Support of OEM-specific security mechanisms.
Optional authentication at the gateway and/or at the target ECU.
Use of different security concepts based on symmetric or asymmetric cryptography (PKI- or challenge-response-based).

Parallel Flashing via LIN for E-Mobility Applications

LIN ECUs already installed in battery stacks can be reprogrammed in parallel.
Advantage: Reduction of programming time, e.g. for 32 ECUs from approx. 2550sec. to approx. 114sec

Enhancement for Custom Actions

Custom Actions are tasks that are processed automatically before or after the flash sequence (customer scripts in C# using the vFlash diagnostic libraries).
In addition to generating reports for quality assurance, printing labels and much more, values can now also be read from the ECU and passed on to the customer application via the Automation API.

Extensions for CANoe.DiVa Flash Tests

Significant increase in speed when executing flash tests with CANoe.DiVa.

Manufacturer Support Further Extended

vFlash already supports more than 120 different Flash Bootloaders (= specifications) from various vehicle manufacturers via Flash Templates, continuously, new ones are added.
Existing vFlash templates are supplemented with new additional functions, like for example authentication with OEM-specific certificate infrastructure.

Remote Flashing

Show previous

Show next

Highlights Functions

vFlash Remote gives diagnostic users the option of flashing ECUs remotely, independent of location.

Users benefit from a high degree of flexibility and reliability with 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
Extremely easy to set up the communications infrastructure.
Users can boost efficiency and reduce costs by reusing existing flash packs for remote applications which have already been created with vFlash.

vFlash Remote will be used as the flash tool and connects to an access point on the vehicle remotely over the Internet. Two possible pathways are available for the remote interface:

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 network interface.

The download of the vFlash Access Point required for this will soon be available on this website.

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 130 templates are available for over 70 different OEMs.

Supported Interfaces

Interface	CAN(FD)	FlexRay	LIN	Ethernet (DoIP, SoAd)
VN16XX, CANboardXL CANcardXL/XLe	X		X
VN8810	X		X	X
VN5610A/VN5640	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

Product Descriptions

Show previous

Show next

Documents System Requirements KnowledgeBase

Short overview of facts (PDF)

vFlash Standard

	Recommendation	Minimum
Operating System	Windows 7/8.1/10
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 7/8.1/10
CPU	Intel compatible > 2,5 GHz ≥ 4 cores	Intel compatible 1 GHz 2 cores
Memory	8 GB	4 GB
Screen resolution*	-	-

^{* 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

2019-04-24 Service Pack
vFlash 4.0 SP3
2019-03-26 Press Release
Flashing ECUs from a Distance with vFlash Remote
2019-02-20 Application Note
AN-IDG-1-018 Automated Flashing and Testing with CANoe, vFlash and VN89xx
2018-12-11 Service Pack
vFlash 3.1 SP3
2018-11-29 Service Pack
vFlash 4.0 SP2
2018-06-19 Application Note
AN-IMC-1-029 vFlash in CANape
2018-05-18 Service Pack
vFlash 3.5 SP4
2017-05-12 Technical Article
Automatic diagnostic validation is not rocket science ... just a matter of consequent exploitation of existing possibilities
2017-01-16 Service Pack
vFlash 3.1 SP2 Patch 2
2016-09-28 Service Pack
vFlash 3.0 SP3

Please select a category to show matching downloads:

News / Events

Show previous

Show next

News Events Recorded Webinars

2019-04-25
Flashing ECUs from a Distance with vFlash Remote

vFlash Remote completes Vectors Remote Diagnostics solution which consists of the diagnostic tester Indigo Remote and the Remote D-PDU API.

vFlash Remote now gives diagnostic users the option of flashing ECUs remotely, independent of location. Users benefit from high degrees of flexibility and reliability, especially on vehicle test drives and offshore production plants.

2019-04-24
News about Automotive Ethernet

The Automotive Ethernet solution from Vector covers the entire development process for networks and ECUs. Our updated Fact Sheet offers a compact but comprehensive overview.

2019-04-17
CANoe.DiVa 12: New Features for Regression Testing and Expanded OEM Support

Benefit from new features of version 12:

2019-03-30
Indigo 6: Development of Diagnostic Sequences and Test Automation with the ASAM XIL API DiagPort

Benefit from New Features of Version 6:

2019-03-20
Know-How Video: vFlash Automation with vTESTstudio and CANoe - Simple Transfer of a .vflashpack in Test Units

The video will show a short presentation on how you can flash ECUs in an automated test, created with vTESTstudio and executed in CANoe. The Goal is to create a vTESTstudio test case for CANoe that reprograms or flashes an ECU with vFlash in an automated test.

Show all news (233)

2019-06-25 - 2019-06-26 23rd International Automobil-Elektronik Kongress
2019-07-15 Webinar: Create OBD-Relevant Documentation Easily and Error-Free
2019-07-16 - 2019-07-17 Vector India Conference 2019
2019-10-16 Webinar: PREEvision: Modelling of Diagnostic Objects

2019-06-06 CANdelaStudio – Authoring Tool for ECU Diagnostic Specification
2019-06-05 Flash Programming: A Practical Comparison of Bus Technologies and...
2019-05-28 Automated Testing of Diagnostic Protocol Implementation and...
2019-05-22 Vehicle Diagnostic Testing – Quick and Easy with Indigo
2019-05-14 Professional Development and Validation of Diagnostic Sequences...
2019-05-08 OBD Diagnostics – Indigo as OBD / WWH OBD Scan Tool
2019-04-30 Vehicle Diagnostic Testing – Quick and Easy with Indigo
2018-12-18 Automated Testing of Diagnostic Protocol Implementation and...

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.