EPN Automotive Electronics Blog

Threewise triple MCU

In modern automotive systems, various bus systems, rigid safety demands and the need for high performance at low power have to be balanced. While there are many specialized automotive chips like microcontrollers and SoCs around, this  is an area where the general trend towards higher integration finally makes sense.

Developing for ISO 26262

Designing ISO 26262 compliant ECUs can be very challenging, especially since current developments in automotive technology render established design patterns useless. Specialized tools are supposed to simplify and automate the functional safety compliance process.

IC for door and window

While most driver assistance functions in modern cars are connected to and controlled by electronic systems, windows of all things are using reliable Old-fashiond electromagnetic pulses.

CAN and LIN out of the palm

In vehicle assembly or the manufacture of mechatronic assemblies and systems it is often the case that operating functions must be executed at units to be mounted in vehicles without availability of related ECUs and control elements. This is the moment for a handheld terminal supporting those bus systems.

Connectivity assists driver

Traditionally, onboard control units aren't much more than pimped speedometers - with a few exceptions. With the growing number of electric vehicles and the still underdeveloped charging infrastructure, these units  gain importance. In order to inform the driver comprehensively, the OBU needs to get access to vital car systems.

Safer ECUs

The ISO 26262 functional safety standard for road vehicles poses various problems for component manufacturers as well as for system integrators. Luckily, not all control units in a car are that safety critical, but the ones that need to comply require extensive checking and testing during all stages of product development.

IAA 2011 - Exhausting exhaust technology

Lightweight construction concepts continue to gain ground in the automotive industry – each gram less is an active contribution towards reducing CO₂. At the International Motor Show, various companies will present interesting new concepts.

Testing ECUs

Modern cars consist of dozens of electronic control units. This modular architecture facilitates development and manufacturing as well as after-sales service. Even testing isn’t too hard, except when it comes to interactions between the modules. At that point, functional testing needs to go hand in hand with communications analysis.

Approved CAN bus coupler

In order to ensure reliable operation of motor vehicles on the road, German law requires a motor vehicle type approval (Allgemeine Betriebs-Erlaubnis, ABE) – also referred to as »e1« approval – for all components that are connected to the vehicle's electrical system. This is required even for the most unspectacular components.

MOST goes Coax

The new specification for MOST150 allows on the one hand for communication and power supply on the same cable, on the other for optical coaxial cables. This is not a contradiction.