Advanced In-Vehicle Systems: A Reference Design for the Future

More options in automotive-qualified electronic components along with the arrival of powerful multicore SoC platforms have changed the playing field in designing automotive electronic systems today. The flexibility of open source Linux-based operating systems has also allowed vehicle systems designers to consider hosting multiple complex functions in a single electronic control unit (ECU). This paper examines a "proof-of-concept" platform that has integrated a variety of consumer-demanded convenience features along with safety functions in a secure automotive-grade package. Platform capabilities include: a driver information module (DIM), in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), smartphone and tablet integration, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features, and an AUTOSAR-based communication capability that works with existing in-vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet, etc.). This type of consolidated reference design allows shorter time-to-market with consumer-ready features to address immediate market demands.