Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) are vehicles in which functionality and features are primarily governed by
software, allowing for continuous updates, upgrades, and the introduction of new capabilities throughout the
vehicle’s lifecycle. This transition from hardware-centric to software-driven architectures marks a significant shift in
the automotive industry, transforming development processes, operational strategies, and business models.
The SDV Operating System (SDV OS) is purpose-built for software-defined vehicles, serving as the foundational
platform for managing vehicle software and enabling advanced functionalities. Unlike traditional embedded or
general-purpose operating systems, SDV OS is tailored to meet the unique requirements of modern automotive
architectures.
Ensuring reliability, safety, and security is paramount in software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where even minor
software faults can lead to serious consequences. The operating system (OS) plays a central role in upholding these
qualities, and its design must address several critical challenges. These include managing software bugs and
glitches, supporting real-time processing requirements, adhering to functional safety standards and SOTIF (Safety of
the Intended Functionality), complying with legal and regulatory mandates, minimizing the system’s attack surface,
and mitigating risks associated with remote access and data breaches. Together, these factors form the foundation for
a robust and trustworthy SDV operating environment.
To address the key challenges outlined above, the SDV operating system architecture must follow robust design
principles and guidelines. These include implementing a Capability Security Model (CSM) for fine-grained access
control, adopting a lean and minimalistic OS kernel to reduce the attack surface, designing secure and efficient interprocess
communication (IPC) mechanisms, and leveraging user-level drivers for improved fault isolation.
Additionally, support for a flexible runtime environment, use of virtual machines for OS-level isolation, device
virtualization for safe hardware sharing, and adherence to safety certification standards are essential to ensure the
system's reliability, security, and compliance in safety-critical automotive applications.