How partitioned electrical and electronic architecture supports software-defined vehicles

How partitioned electrical and electronic architecture supports software-defined vehicles

Our understanding of cars and how they work has changed dramatically. Cars are becoming more automated and electrified, with a growing focus on services, customization and upgrades for end users. The fundamental change in cars is that they will be software-defined. In short, all of the car's functions will be designed, tested, verified, and potentially modified on a virtual model that will accompany the physical car throughout its lifecycle.

This transformation will require a profound transformation of vehicle architecture. In addition to making vehicle development faster and easier, it will also provide OEMs with attractive new business opportunities through data-driven services, attracting a generation of users who are more familiar with contract-enabled features. In essence, transportation is becoming a service-enhanced user experience, supported by cutting-edge solutions such as network solutions, MCUs and PMICs.

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Ethernet is an essential technology in next-generation automotive architectures. Learn about NXP's comprehensive Ethernet solutions to help you develop.

Schema Partition

Various functions of the car will be downloaded from the cloud inside the mobile hardware through wireless updates (OTA) instead of being added through boxes (ECU). This approach allows continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). To achieve this goal, the automotive electronic and electrical architecture is being upgraded from a functionally independent flat distribution to a more modern domain structure and regional structure.

“Regionalization” concentrates modules and connectivity in physical areas of the car, while moving most of the processing power to the onboard central computer. This will bring many benefits, as it reduces wiring costs and weight, and provides scalable centralized software, laying the foundation for accelerated automotive innovation driven by software and over-the-air updates.

Architecture Evolution Trend: From Domain to Region

Why is partitioned electrical and electronic architecture a good fit for software-defined cars?

Imagine a sensor that can be used in different areas (e.g., a camera for ADAS and infotainment). What is the best way to share this sensor? In a domain architecture, the sharing path is complex. In a more friendly distributed architecture, sensor data can be delivered as a service to all virtual machines. Each zone's ECU will become a server for the sensor.

With this approach, it is easier to set up a chain reaction of events when an unexpected event occurs. For example, an emergency braking scenario - a combination of radar, camera or lidar sensors confirms an unexpected object in front of the car. The braking system is immediately activated, but if the ADAS computer realizes that an accident may have occurred, the car begins to prepare for it and triggers the infotainment system to play a visual and audio warning notification. The seat belts are fastened, the airbags are armed, the windows are lowered, and the warning lights are illuminated, all at once and simultaneously on the regional/domain Ethernet network.

Possibility: Ethernet supports all connections

Regionalization allows all data to be converted into Ethernet frames and made available to all domain controllers on the backbone network. Different virtual functions and virtual machines can reuse individual functions. It is also possible to shift tasks and improve virtual machines based on CPU load or power conditions (load balancing is very important for electric vehicles). The realization of the above scenarios requires a large number of Ethernet-based networks and components.

NXP offers a complete portfolio of Ethernet PHY network solutions, including 10/100/1000 BASE-T, Multi-Gigabit Ethernet PHY, and built-in digital Ethernet switches. For system expertise that can be quickly put to market, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers can leverage NXP's rich automotive experience products, including system solutions for Ethernet PHY, Ethernet switches, aggregation MCUs, gateway processors, and PMICs.

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Senior Vice President and General Manager of In-Vehicle Networks, NXP Semiconductors

Meindert van den Beld is Senior Vice President and General Manager of In-Vehicle Networks at NXP Semiconductors. He has 10 years of experience in the semiconductor industry and has held several senior management positions in the automotive market. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from TU Delft and an MBA from INSEAD.