IVN-8563 Multidrop Network Configuration

You can configure the IVN-8563 for multidrop networks by loading a modified configuration file to the device. You must connect from a PC to the CONFIG port of the IVN-8563. The connection requires a USB cable with a USB mini-B (miniUSB) connector. This process is for advanced use-cases that require specific Physical-Level Collision Avoidance (PLCA) settings.

Default Configuration Settings

The IVN-8563 is configured for point-to-point configuration by default. In this mode, the port1-termination configuration option is on and the 100 Ω termination resistor across the MDI pins is enabled.

Multidrop Configuration Settings

For Multidrop configuration:
  • Set the port1-termination configuration option to off for devices that are drop nodes (in the middle of the multidrop chain). The termination resistor is disabled for devices with this setting.
  • Set the port1-termination configuration option to on for devices that are end nodes (at the ends of the multidrop chain).

Multidrop Configuration Process

  1. Connect the USB type-C cable connector to supply power to the IVN-8563.
  2. Connect a USB cable from a PC to the CONFIG port of the IVN-8563. The CONFIG port requires a USB cable with a USB mini-B (miniUSB) connector. The IVN-8563 appears as a mass-storage device on the connected PC.
  3. On the connected PC, access the IVN-8563 mass-storage device. By default, the IVN-8563 is automatically assigned an available drive letter.
  4. Locate and copy the configuration.json from the root of the IVN-8563 mass storage. For example, E:\configuration.json.
    Note For convenience, store a copy of the original configuration file.
  5. Modify a copy of configuration.json with the desired settings. Refer to the following table for information about supported settings.
  6. Copy your modified configuration.json file to the IVN-8563 mass storage. Overwrite the existing file.
  7. Once all file transfers are complete, disconnect the IVN-8563 from the PC.
  8. Disconnect the USB type-C connector connector to remove power to the IVN-8563.
  9. Connect the USB type-C connector to supply power to the IVN-8563. The IVN-8563 powers on and uses the modified configuration.
Note If your configuration.json contains an error, the STATUS LED blinks red. Correct the error and repeat the advanced configuration process.
Note To restore the default configuration.json, connect to the IVN-8563 and delete your modified configuration.json. The IVN-8563 generates an unmodified configuration.json during boot if no configuration file exists.
JSON Field Name Valid Values Description
plca_configuration JSON object A group of name-value pairs to configure a PLCA sublayer.
enable true, false Enable or disable PLCA.
node-id numeric The node ID of the IVN-8563. Set the node-id to zero to configure the IVN-8563 as coordinator.
node-count numeric The number of nodes on the network.
to-tmr 1 to 255 (expressed in bit times) Specifies the time for a transmit opportunity.
burst-cnt 0 to 255 (expressed in bit times) Specifies the maximum number of packets in a burst.
burst-timr numeric Specifies the time to wait for a new packet before moving to the next node.
termination_configuration JSON object A group of name-value pairs to configure the automotive ethernet port termination.
port1-termination "off", "on" Enables or disables termination for the automotive ethernet port. End nodes must set port1-termination to "on". All other nodes must set port1-termination to "off".