Whole-Vehicle Data Logging and Cloud Platform
For whole-vehicle data recording needs under domain-centralized architectures, ZD provides a complete chain from vehicle bus, sensor and video capture to data forwarding, cloud management and remote access, supporting R&D calibration, road test verification and on-site issue reproduction.
Challenges Customers Face
Data logging does not end with installing the device; the real difficulty lies in completeness, time consistency and accessibility.
Automotive Ethernet makes it harder to see inside the vehicle
Point-to-point automotive Ethernet is now widely deployed in real vehicles; bypass devices are exclusive, harnesses are cumbersome to tap or re-route on the fly, and data loggers often struggle to coexist with other test equipment on the same vehicle.
The conflict between massive data volumes and recording completeness
Long-duration road testing generates terabyte-scale data; every frame must be preserved, yet the data must also be dumped, sliced and searched quickly, and traditional logging devices soon hit bandwidth and storage bottlenecks.
Remote collaboration and efficiency of issue reproduction
Test vehicle resources are limited while R&D teams are spread across multiple locations, even overseas. If the raw vehicle-side data cannot be seen directly once an issue occurs, reproduction and localization often take days.
Solution Composition and Data Flow
On the capture side, the ZD Datalogger 3 series handles recording and forwarding, ZD DataGrabber extends ports via the ASAM CMP protocol, devices stay time-synchronized via PTP, and everything converges into the ZD data cloud platform.
Ports can be expanded, time must stay consistent
The ZD DataGrabber series is designed for the high channel counts of CAN and LIN sub-buses in domain-control architectures, and can serve as an expansion interface for the ZD Datalogger 3 or a third-party host computer, supporting 16 channels of CAN/CAN FD or 20 channels of LIN per unit.
Expansion devices and the host stay synchronized via PTP time synchronization, so data before and after expansion aligns directly on the time axis without the newly added channels disrupting overall data consistency.
ZD DataGrabber TSN targets time-sensitive networking scenarios, supporting multi-channel active monitoring, 100 ns timestamp accuracy and real-time data injection, for AVB/TSN performance measurement, PTP clock synchronization verification and zonal E/E architecture development verification.
Core Capabilities
Multi-Protocol Bus Logging
Up to 24 channels of CAN/CAN FD, 12 channels of LIN, 2 channels of FlexRay and 8 channels of 1000Base-T1 per unit, with early support for 10GBase-T1 automotive Ethernet and support for camera video capture.
High-Precision Time Synchronization
Provides time synchronization services based on IEEE 1588 (gPTP) with Master/Slave modes; bus data timestamps reach 4 ns accuracy and data stays highly consistent across multiple devices.
Dynamic TAP and Real-Time Monitoring
The DTF dynamic TAP function forwards any automotive Ethernet link to a standard Ethernet port without affecting complete recording, so raw frames can be analysed in real time with tools such as Wireshark and CANoe.
Data Filtering and Event Triggering
The Data Filter cleans sensitive data and reduces post-processing workload; the Trigger module covers time-based and event-based triggering scenarios, recording only the data that is actually needed.
Synchronized Multi-Sensor Capture
Supports cameras, LiDAR, millimetre-wave radar, ultrasonic radar, IMU and GPS, writing sensor data and vehicle bus data to disk in sync.
Remote Access and Cloud Management
Connects to the ZD data cloud platform over wired or wireless links, enabling remote access to data plus remote device configuration and status monitoring, so remote teams can share data from the same test vehicle.
Solution Composition
Hardware captures data completely; software turns it into usable information.
Low-Cost Vehicle-Side Data Logging Consistent with Series Production Architecture
For data logging scenarios that require batch deployment, ZD offers a vehicle-side data logging solution based on ZD ADlogger and ZD Datalogger. The system architecture and working environment stay consistent with the series production platform - including ISP configuration, time synchronization, camera triggering and data sequencing - delivering high-quality, stable data while keeping per-vehicle data logging costs within a reasonable range.
The solution suits practical needs such as modification and calibration, sensor calibration and on-site testing, and captured data can go directly to the ZD data cloud platform for archiving, slicing and post-processing.
Key Specifications
Using the two main configurations of the data logger as examples; actual delivery determines the channel combination and storage scheme according to project requirements.
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| Item | ZD Datalogger 3A | ZD Datalogger 3F / 3F-6E |
|---|---|---|
| CAN / CAN FD | 24 channels | 20 channels |
| LIN | 12 channels | 16 channels |
| UART | 8 channels | 8 channels |
| FlexRay | 2 channels (A/B) | 2 channels (A/B) |
| 10GBase-T1 | — | 2 channels |
| 1000Base-T1 | 8 channels | 12 channels |
| 100Base-T1 | 16 channels | 6 channels |
| Data interface | 4×1000Base-T | 2×1000Base-T |
| Management interface | 4×1000Base-T（PoE）+ 1×2.5GBase-T | 4×1000Base-T（PoE） |
| USB | 2×USB 3.0 Type-A + 1×USB 3.0 Type-C | 2×USB 3.0 Type-A |
| Wireless and positioning | Wi-Fi / AP | Wi-Fi / AP; 5G and GPS external via USB |
| Storage medium | 2× pluggable SSD, up to 8 TB per drive | 1× E1.S, up to 8 TB, pluggable |
Delivery Process and Deliverables
Requirement Confirmation
Clarify logging goals, the channel list and data usage, and complete the test vehicle survey.
Solution Design
Produce the data logging plan and vehicle modification plan, including device layout, harnesses, power supply and cable routing.
Installation and Calibration
Complete device installation, sensor calibration and time synchronization verification.
On-Site Logging
Follow up on road testing and monitor data in real time, handling unexpected situations on site.
Data Delivery
Data slicing, format conversion, annotation and cloud archiving, delivering usable data.
- Data logging plan: channel allocation, device list and vehicle modification drawings
- Captured data: raw data and metadata delivered in the required format
- Calibration records: sensor calibration parameters and time synchronization verification results
- Usage training: device operation, software usage and routine maintenance
- Test report: logging process records, anomaly notes and data quality statements
- Post-processing support: data slicing, format conversion and annotation services
Our Strengths
01Logging Capability Proven in Series Production Projects
The ZD Datalogger series was launched in 2016 and has been used long-term in development and road test projects at several OEMs; the ZD Datalogger 2F received the red seal from the German BSFZ.
02Integrated Hardware and Software Delivery
The logging hardware, client software and cloud platform are all developed in-house by ZD, with unified interfaces and data formats, so no adaptation or joint debugging across multiple suppliers is needed.
03On-Site Capability in China and Germany
We have an R&D and delivery site in Germany that can provide equipment, personnel and compliance support for overseas road test projects, and on-site service can be arranged in major Chinese automotive industry cities.
04Customizable per Project
Channel combinations, storage schemes, sensor integration and post-processing flows can all be customized to customer needs and integrated with the customer's existing data analysis tool chain.
FAQ
Will the data logger drop frames?
Can it coexist with other test equipment already on the vehicle?
How is remote access to vehicle-side data achieved?
Which sensors and video interfaces are supported?
Need a data logging solution for your test fleet?
Share your vehicle platform and logging goals, and we can propose a channel configuration, a storage scheme and on-site support arrangements.