Automotive Electronics – A Bird’s Eye View

In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, automobiles have become more than just a means of transportation. They have transformed into sophisticated machines that rely heavily on advanced electronic systems, intricate architectural designs, and intelligent firmware. Understanding the complexities of automotive electronics and architecture is crucial for anyone working in the field of automotive design and development. Starting with this article, we will have a look at various components that constitutes the automotive electronic architecture and how each of them play a crucial role in the overall operation of the automotive.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the automotive E/E architecture, its evolution, the role of electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicle systems, the impact of electrification on vehicle architecture and electronics, future trends in automotive electronics and architecture and associated challenges.

Evolution of automotive E/E architecture

When we think of cars, we often envision the mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, and suspension. However, in recent years, the significance of electronics in the automotive industry has grown exponentially and the. automotive E/E (Electrical/Electronic) architecture and evolved significantly. In the early days, vehicles relied on simple electrical systems, consisting of basic components such as lights, ignition systems, and radios. However, with the advent of digital technology, automotive electronics underwent a revolution. The introduction of microprocessors and electronic control units (ECUs) paved the way for more advanced and complex systems. Today's vehicles are essentially rolling computers, with electronic systems playing a vital role in every aspect of their operation.

Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in Vehicle Systems

To fully understand the intricate electronics in modern vehicles, it's essential to grasp the underlying architecture that supports these systems. At the heart of a vehicle's electronic architecture is the network of electronic control units (ECUs).

These are essentially minicomputers each of which control specific functions within the vehicle. For example, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) manages the engine's performance, while the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) controls the shifting of gears in an automatic transmission. Similarly, each ECU is responsible for a specific set of functions, and they communicate with each other through a network called the Controller Area Network (CAN). This network allows for the seamless exchange of information between ECUs, ensuring that the different systems in the vehicle work together harmoniously.

Major ECUs in a vehicle

A modern vehicle consists of several key ECUs that work in harmony to provide a smooth and reliable driving experience. Some of them includes.

Engine Control Module/Unit (ECM/ECU): This ECU is responsible for the functioning of the internal combustion engine. It controls the fuel injection system including the valve inlet and its timing based on the throttle input.

Transmission Control Module/Unit (TCM/TCU):Responsible for managing the transmission/gear box control based on inputs from sensors like vehicle speed, engine speed, brakes etc.

Brake Control Unit (BCU): This ECU manages the brake control systems by driving the brake motors with inputs from wheel speed, brake force etc.

Body Control Module (BCM): Handles most of the electronics associated with the body such as central locking, lightings, power windows, immobilizers etc

Suspension Control Module/Unit (SCM/SCU): Manages the suspension/shock absorber in the four wheels to deliver a smooth ride experience based on speed, steering angle, etc.

Climate Control Unit (CCU): Also called Environmental Control Unit (another abbreviated as ECU), is in control of air conditioning and air flow in the automobile.

Telematics Control Unit (TCU): Collects various vehicle telematics information from the automobile such as position, speed, engine data, driving characterises and send to the cloud.

Electronic Power Steering System (EPS): Or Power steering modules (PSMs) manages the electric motor in the vehicle steering and provides a optimal feel to the driver based on the ride mode.

Navigation Control Unit (NCU):Aids the driver with navigation information, typically integrated with onboard display and GPS unit.

These are just a few examples of the many ECUs present in a vehicle, each dedicated to a specific function.

Impact of electrification on vehicle architecture and electronics

The rise of electrification in the automotive industry has brought about a paradigm shift in vehicle architecture and electronics. In an electric vehicle, the traditional engine and transmission are replaced by an electric motor and a battery pack. This shift in powertrain architecture requires a new approach to vehicle electronics along with the software and connectivity features. Instead of managing the combustion process and controlling the transmission, the ECUs in an electric vehicle focus on managing the battery pack, motor control, and regenerative braking systems.

Battery management system (BMS): BMS monitors the state of charge of the battery pack, manages the charging and discharging process, and ensures the battery's longevity and safety. By constantly monitoring the battery's performance and temperature, the BMS can optimize the vehicle's range and protect the battery from damage.

Motor control unit (MCU): Responsible for controlling the speed and torque of the electric motor. By analyzing data from various sensors, such as the motor temperature sensor and the motor position sensor, the MCU can adjust the motor's performance to optimize efficiency and provide a smooth driving experience.

Vehicle control Unit (VCU): Acts as the central hub that manages input from BMS, MCU and other ECUs and provides overall control.

The electrification of vehicles has also led to advancements in other areas of vehicle electronics, such as charging infrastructure and connectivity. Outside the vehicle, electronic systems are now being developed to manage and monitor charging stations.

Electronics architecture in two wheelers

Two wheelers form the bulk of the vehicles being sold in developing countries such as India, where it could reach up to 75%. While technologically the architecture remains the same, the complexity is decreased as the number of ECU’s are significantly lower. Primary ECUs in the electric two-wheelers are a VCU, BMS and MCU. But things are changing as the features being added to two wheelers keeps increasing with recent two-wheelers offering up to 12.3 inch touch display with screen mirroring, music control and what not!

Future Trends in Automotive Electronics and Architecture

As technology continues to evolve, so does the automotive electronics and architecture too. One of the emerging trends is the rise of domain architecture and zonal architecture ECUs, where functionalities are getting grouped together, allowing for better scalability, flexibility, and easier integration of new features. Ethernet is being used for ECU communication.

ADAS technologies, such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking, and upcoming autonomous driving heavily rely on sensors, cameras, and specialized ECUs to provide real-time data and make informed decisions. ?

In-car infotainment systems have become an integral part of modern vehicles, providing occupants with entertainment, connectivity, and navigation features. These systems are rapidly evolving requiring a complex integration of hardware and software components, including displays, audio systems, communication modules, and user interfaces.

The concept of software-defined vehicles is gaining traction in the automotive industry. This approach involves the use of software to control and manage various vehicle functions, allowing for greater flexibility, customization, and remote updates. Even the Chat-GPT and conversational AI are making their debut in the automotive.

Challenges in automotive electronics and architecture

As automotive electronics continue to advance, new challenges arise too. One of the main challenges is the increasing complexity of vehicle systems. With the integration of more electronic components and advanced features, the need for efficient communication and data processing becomes crucial needing more powerful processors and software algorithms. This calls for larger power requirement for non-power train systems.

Another challenge is the need for cybersecurity in vehicles. As cars become more connected, with features such as remote access and over-the-air updates, the risk of cyber-attacks increases. Automakers and electronic component suppliers are investing heavily in developing robust security measures to protect vehicles from unauthorized access and ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

With focus on environmental sustainability, many aspects of the design have to re-thought and re-designed. Supply chain is also not back to pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, the industry is coping up to these and solutions created to address these challenges.?

Now with the overview of the automotive electronics set, let us deep dive into each of these components in the upcoming articles. Look out this space for to deepen your understanding for the technology that drives us forward on the road.