Case Study: EADS Innovation Works achieves rapid FlexRay network validation with Synopsys Saber

EADS Uses Saber for the Validation of New FlexRay Networking Applications

EADS Innovation Works, the research arm of the aerospace company EADS, investigated using the automotive time-triggered protocol FlexRay for aircraft networks but faced steep challenges: FlexRay was still immature with few experts, aerospace systems demand extreme safety and reliability, physical prototypes arrive late in the cycle, and engineers had to validate signal integrity across long cable runs, protection components with parasitic effects, and varying environmental and electrical loads.

To address this, EADS adopted a simulation-based approach using Synopsys Saber to create a “virtual iron bird” of the aircraft network, modeling transceivers, transmission lines, protection devices and distributed loads to analyze signal quality and topology robustness. The result was much faster validation—testing began in 2–3 weeks instead of 2–3 months—enabling earlier problem discovery, design optimization, cost savings and improved time-to-market; Saber was selected for its simulation performance, FlexRay model fidelity and technical support.

EADS Innovation Works

Christoph Heller

Research Engineer