Automotive Embedded Systems Research Articles

Implementation C++/QT framework for CAN communication

The goal of this paper is to explain and offer a solution to a problem that is often overlooked in the field of robotics and mechatronics used in transportation concepts. It is about the implementation of an existing motor drive based on control by a Controlled Area Network (CAN). This concept is proven, mainly in transport applications; however, it is not commonly applied in research articles. The term CAN is often slanted in the automotive embedded system, but the replacement of the embedded system by a computer as the master system is bringing many questions about its realization. Many research papers, due to that reason, prefer to use non-advanced actuators in the form of stepper motors for kits. A solution for the implementation of advanced servos communicated by CAN is offered in this paper. In addition to proposing the first solution for interface creation in robotic and mechatronic applications, the article offers a solution for developing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using the C++/Qt framework, which allows for the development of an interface between a computer and a CAN converter. This solution is particularly important in the transportation sector, as it enables the development of specialized interfaces for communication with control units. For these tasks, LabView or MATLAB environments are widely used. However, the contribution of this article is to offer C++ with the Qt extension as a good replacement for a graphical programming environment. As is obvious, software engineering, electroengineering, and mechanical engineering are the three fundamental pillars that make up the methodology known as mechatronics. The answers, which are dealt with in the paper, discuss the connection between the programming and electrotechnology parts of mechatronics. A detailed description of the source code written in the C++ language and extended with the Qt framework is provided. This deals with Application Programming Interface (API) and motor control GUI example of the interface between a non-embedded master system and servo by USB2CAN converter. The freely downloadable source code provides a solution for the following challenges of implementation in the field of the research article.

Model Based Approach for Automotive Embedded Systems

This paper discusses the use of Model based Development to accelerate development process of embedded control systems and technologies and tools used to support model-based development (MBD) from functional requirements to automated testing and Model based testing process. In past few decades automotive embedded systems are transformed from an electrical mechanical engineering discipline to a combination of software and electrical/ mechanical engineering. This evolution establishes software as a crucial technology. Growth of embedded software has led to more complex systems with multiple electronic control units of different characteristics in today’s vehicle. As a result, automotive industry focuses on a new trend Model based development rather than traditional method where software is handwritten in Assembly code or C language. However, quality assurance is important factor throughout the development process and testing is a key element for quality assurance.

Recent development in operating system based on AUTOSAR standard used in ECUs for automotive vehicles

Development in automotive embedded systems has grown rapidly in recent years due to increased functionality in automotive vehicles. Nowadays, a lot of modern technologies have been implemented in automotive vehicles in order to improve the performance and reliability. Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) is a software standard used for development of the new modules inside of the automotive Systems. The evolution in automotive vehicles impacted the usage and design of real time operating systems as automotive embedded systems are mainly dependent on real time operating systems used in ECUs inside automotive vehicle. AUTOSAR based operating system is also a real time operating system which is developed on the basis of OSEK (Open Systems and the Corresponding Interfaces for Automotive Electronics) standards. AUTOSAR is nothing but a standardized extension of OSEK and both play very important role in software development of automotive systems. In this paper, the recent trends in the development in automotive embedded system have been discussed. The standards required for designing a real time operating system have been briefly explained for better understanding of the developments in the automotive embedded systems.

Application of Inverse Perspective Mapping for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in Automotive Embedded Systems

<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In the recent times vehicle manufactures and automotive suppliers are progressing towards building vision based subsystems for provisioning driver assistance while targeting the automotive safety critical needs. While the acquired images constitute the fundamental input for any vision based system, transforms on images become essential to derive and gain insight into certain specific features. These derived features are used and reused at multiple places for varied automotive applications. This situation warrants a scalable and flexible image processing platform for a class of automotive applications. An attempt is made in this Research work to propose architecture that, specially, includes a layer of image transformations and to implement a prototype image processing platform. Inverse Perspective Mapping (IPM), a widely used class of transforms is emphasized in the present architecture alongside other nominal transforms. Lane departure warning system is implemented on this platform for the purpose of illustration and to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed architecture</span>

Automotive Electronics:Enhancing the Learning through Integrated Laboratory

Present days' automotive embedded systems have become multifaceted in nature, and their performance has been enabled by introduction of electronics at all levels of design and manufacturing. The purpose of introducing a course on automotive electronics at under graduate level for the electrical sciences stream was to address the needs of embedded and automotive industries and hence providing the necessary knowledge and skills required for those industries. This paper discusses the process of mixing cognitive and performance learning objectives into one course; which is realized by integrating laboratory with the theory. The laboratory had a focus of building automotive electronics development and test environment for three main domains of automotive which includes power train, comfort/safety and In-vehicle networking. The paper also discusses about the development of in house experimental trainer modules which demonstrate the entire working of engine management systems. The laboratory had four different levels of experiments which enabled the students to experience typical automotive embedded system design process. At the same time it is observed that all the levels also address the major three domains of automotive as mentioned earlier. The level one included experiments belonging to automotive sub-systems, demonstration of cut-away modules, level two included model based simulation experiments using MATLAB/SIMULINK C the last level four was realized through system integration an extended activity which included the integration of sub-modules developed in earlier levels. The integration of laboratory to the theory course enabled to achieve both technical and professional outcomes of ABET[1]. The outcomes b, c, d, g, i, j, and k were achieved. The paper presents the details of attainment of these outcomes.

Guest Editorial Special Section on Automotive Embedded Systems and Software

Today, most of the innovation in the automotive domain is in the areas of electronics and software. Modern cars have already been transformed, from largely mechanical entities, to complex embedded systems running on four wheels. High-end cars currently have around 100 electronic control units (ECUs), each with one or more, possibly multicore, processors. These ECUs communicate using different communication buses such as CAN, FlexRay, LIN, and more recently also Ethernet, and are connected to various cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and also to a host of actuators. Such architectures are used to run several millions of lines of software code spanning across safety-critical, driver assistance, comfort, and entertainment related applications.

A Multi-Layered Control Approach for Self-Adaptation in Automotive Embedded Systems

We present an approach for self-adaptation in automotive embedded systems using a hierarchical, multi-layered control approach. We model automotive systems as a set of constraints and define a hierarchy of control loops based on different criteria. Adaptations are performed at first locally on a lower layer of the architecture. If this fails due to the restricted scope of the control cycle, the next higher layer is in charge of finding a suitable adaptation. We compare different options regarding responsibility split in multi-layered control in a self-healing scenario with a setup adopted from automotive in-vehicle networks. We show that a multi-layer control approach has clear performance benefits over a central control, even though all layers work on the same set of constraints. Furthermore, we show that a responsibility split with respect to network topology is preferable over a functional split.

Software and Hardware Design Challenges in Automotive Embedded System

Software and Hardware Design Challenges in Automotive Embedded System

The Application of ISO WD 26262 for Automotive Embedded System

Safety is one of the key issues of future automotive development. With the trend of increasing functionality and complexity in automotive embedded system, there are increasing risks of functional failures. It is necessary to perform the functional safety process throughout the safety lifecycle of these systems. The appearance of the new functional safety standard ISO WD 26262 also makes the consideration of functional safety as part of the design and implementation process for these systems. This paper introduces the new standard ISO WD 26262 and analyses its features. The safety life cycle according to the new standard, activities necessary for the achievement of functional safety during the development phase are shown. An example application according to ISO WD 26262 is given and the process and methods of functional safety analysis in this example are proposed.

Guest Editorial Special Issue on Automotive Embedded Systems

The five letters in this special issue on automotive embedded systems cover a spectrum of topics ranging from an innovative concept and environment for the ever-increasing integration of driver and vehicle to novel algorithms and design implementations of automotive embedded systems.

Safety Analysis of Automotive Embedded Systems

Safety Analysis of Automotive Embedded Systems

An Embedded System's Design Verification Using Object-Oriented Simulation

The ability for the embedded system designer model and simulate proposed designs prior to implementation is increasingly valuable in today's competitive market place. Simulation- based design is a methodology that uses the vir tual prototype as a means of producing consis tent and reduced design time. This paper presents this approach in the context of an auto motive embedded system application. Struc tural models are used to capture design knowl edge and define the space of possible design alternatives. The Discrete Event Specification (DEVS) formalism is used to develop behavioral models which can be simulated. Results are ob tained through experimental frames which are used to define the scope of simulation. These re sults allow the designers to confirm that the proposed design solution meets the system re quirements and constraints.