New Delhi: With the sequence introduction of so-called Zone Management Models (ZCUs) for European and Asian automobile producers, Continental has carried out one other key element of server-based architectures along with high-performance computer systems. The corporate has acquired a number of buyer orders for zone management items from automobile producers worldwide.
Continental’s electronics specialists are driving the event of software-defined autos worldwide. Zone management items kind the center tier of the server-based electrical and digital (E/E) structure in software-defined autos. Between the degrees of sensors and actuators in addition to the high-performance computer systems, they redistribute the automobile structure and make sure the electronics work together easily throughout domains, scale back complexity and are the important thing to over the air software program updates within the automobile, the corporate mentioned in a media launch.
“With high-performance computer systems, we’re pioneers within the prime management tier of server-based automobile architectures. With zone management items, we additionally provide an answer for the center tier. Our platform-based and modular growth strategy permits us to start out sequence manufacturing inside simply over a yr of receiving an order. That is how we’re bringing the software-defined automobile to the highway extra speedily,” Jean-François Tarabbia, Head of the Structure and Networking enterprise space at Continental, mentioned.
Optimized knowledge hyperlinks
One ZCU bundles all digital and electrical connections in an area part of the automobile. For instance, ZCUs are chargeable for all service and knowledge administration duties within the automobile areas such because the entrance, proper or left, or the rear. This optimizes knowledge paths between ZCUs and digital elements resembling sensors and actuators in a bodily zone. As a substitute of as much as 100 or much more particular person management items as earlier than, the result’s an structure that reduces complexity and on the identical time saves weight, thereby lowering CO2 emissions. This permits the extremely advanced wiring harness in trendy autos to be streamlined to such an extent that automobile producers will have the ability to set up it routinely sooner or later.
The ZCUs are usually related to the related high-performance pc by way of a strong Ethernet hyperlink and thereby assist options of the high-performance pc such because the separation of {hardware} and software program in addition to optimum cybersecurity and replace functionality. On the identical time, they’re chargeable for particular duties resembling management, real-time features, sign to service conversion, communication administration and decentralized power provide.
Scalable portfolio
It’s a structured new starting: the place particular person features, or useful areas had been beforehand built-in into particular person management items within the automobile, a brand new strategy is now being taken. Because the automobile turns into extra software-defined and a part of the Web of Issues (IoT), the advanced E/E structure with its many embedded methods is proving to be unsuitable. The answer lies in a streamlined structure with simply three ranges: particular person sensors and actuators work on the “base.” Above that is the center degree of native management and software program and knowledge administration. This tier of the ZCU has a particular function: knowledge flows from completely different domains merge right here and are forwarded in a coordinated method to the highest management degree consisting of some high-performance computer systems.
In flip, the ZCUs act as intermediaries to make sure the execution of instructions from the server tier. Furthermore, the ZCU can provide energy to the peripheral ECUs in addition to offering electrical safety of as much as 40 amps. ZCUs additionally provide an answer for future 48-volt electrical methods. In fact, the ZCUs assist useful security necessities in addition to the principles of the so-called Security Components out of Context (SEooC) for the reuse of (software program) elements in different autos.
Platform for service-oriented autos
“A ZCU is sort of a tailored workhorse and gateway within the automobile. This new structure significantly simplifies the wiring harness and thus saves weight. The clear division of duties, the separation of {hardware} and software program and the standardization of interfaces make it a lot simpler to handle the rising complexity and the just about exploding scope of software program within the automobile,” explains Dragos Bohotineanu, Head of ZCU product group within the Structure and Networking enterprise space at Continental.
As native knowledge nodes, the ZCUs simplify knowledge administration and the availability of providers. The ZCUs additionally assist the safe set up of recent updates that attain the automobile “over the air.” That is ensured by particular cybersecurity parts. The modular construction of the platform offers you the liberty to adapt the respective ZCU optimally to the precise necessities of an utility.
As confirmed utility software program can proceed for use in new automobile fashions, the validation effort is diminished and growth is accelerated – this might pace up the product launch pace. “With our platform for zone management items, we assist our clients in mastering and minimizing complexity,” says Bohotineanu. The potential to make the E/E structure of software-defined autos extra environment friendly will additional enhance the relevance of this product resolution sooner or later.
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