As consumers increasingly demand vehicles that mirror the digital integration found in their everyday devices, the automotive industry is facing a significant transformation. A growing expectation for enhanced in-vehicle experiences drives automotive manufacturers to explore innovative applications and technologies. This shift necessitates the evolution of communication technologies integral to in-vehicle networks, essential for advanced functions like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving.
According to a report by ABI Research, the automotive sector is on the brink of a substantial expansion in the use of in-vehicle infotainment systems. In 2024, drivers and passengers are projected to spend nearly two billion hours interacting with these systems, a figure that is expected to soar to almost 12 billion hours annually by 2030. This rapid growth indicates a transition towards a software-defined era in the automotive industry, highlighting the need for fast, secure, and reliable communication networks within modern vehicles.
The industry is gravitating towards a new electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture, moving away from traditional designs to zonal configurations. While zonal E/E architectures promise notable improvements in wiring and flexibility, they also introduce the challenge of implementing sophisticated routing protocols for effective communication. Addressing these obstacles requires more than simply deploying powerful CPUs; a more innovative, cost-effective approach is essential.
In response to these demands, hardware vendors are introducing next-generation microcontrollers featuring specialised, on-board acceleration blocks designed to optimise network communications in vehicles. Companies such as Infineon, Renesas, and NXP are at the forefront of this shift, providing the hardware necessary to support an array of software-defined functionalities formerly unattainable in automotive settings.
However, integrating these advanced processors into existing E/E architectures poses notable challenges, particularly when working with the widely adopted Classic AUTOSAR standard. The majority of Classic AUTOSAR modules are defined to be hardware-independent, necessitating a deep intertwining with hardware vendor-specific technologies to achieve successful integration. This process is often time-consuming, requiring additional engineering resources and specialised configurations that can inflate costs and extend delivery timelines for automotive manufacturers and their Tier 1 suppliers.
Historically, this integration was executed through bespoke projects, leading engineering teams to develop tailored solutions. Documentation for microcontrollers often spans over 700 pages, detailing complex registration processes, Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels, and smart filters. Such intricate detail requires extensive knowledge for effective use, which could hinder progress.
Recently, a breakthrough off-the-shelf solution has emerged, offering automotive makers and Tier 1 suppliers a streamlined method for integrating hardware accelerators into a Classic AUTOSAR framework. This integrated solution serves to bridge the gap between hardware-independent and hardware-dependent systems, implemented as a complex device driver within the Classic AUTOSAR environment. By effectively connecting communication drivers with hardware abstraction layers, the solution enhances the efficient utilisation of hardware mechanisms while facilitating integration with existing communication software stacks.
One of the key advantages of this development is its ability to support complex routing scenarios with ease. Automotive manufacturers can now configure accelerators more straightforwardly, optimising the creation of CAN and Ethernet networks with improved processing latency and reduced CPU load. The complexity of configuration procedures has been simplified, allowing engineers to work with general routing entries rather than delving into intricate hardware parameters. Such abstraction streamlines the configuration efforts, potentially saving engineering teams weeks of work and reducing associated costs for building high-performance systems.
While the intricacies of communication within a vehicle's network continue to evolve with the introduction of new E/E architectures, innovative software solutions are poised to mitigate the challenges and expenses of integrating modern in-vehicle communication systems. As the automotive industry navigates these transitions, the emphasis on communication technologies is set to play a critical role in shaping future business practices and consumer experiences.
Source: Noah Wire Services