Safe computing with central ECUs

Abstract

Nowadays the complexity of E/E systems tends to increase due to the appearance of new technologies and functionalities interacting across domain boundaries. The examples of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and highly automated driving (HAD) are being implemented inside already complex systems, themselves evolving at a high pace in new powertrain architectures, body controllers, gateways or infotainment systems.

As described by Navale et al. [1], Stolz et al. [2] and presented by Haas and Langjahr at Stuttgart Symposium 2016 [3], E/E architectures are undergoing an evolution from pure mechanical systems to highly centralized E/E vehicle architectures, see Figure 1. Central element and core of the systems are electronic control units (ECU). ECUs evolved from modular one-box one-function units to systems with higher integration level to reduce the overall number of controllers in the vehicle. Each domain, like powertrain or brake system (ABS/ESP), is today usually controlled by one domain specific central ECU acting as master. With increasing requirements and interaction between these domains, for instance for the cruise control function acting on the brake system and on the powertrain, ECUs acting at overall vehicle level come into play.