Challenges of Changing a Common Vehicle Architecture - Evaluation Process for Functional Integration

Harmonization of systems and parts leads to platform strategies as already known for years in the automotive industry. With respect to Electrical and Electronic Distribution Systems (EEDS), the investigations are aiming at electrical systems and components, e.g. Electronic Control Units (ECU), sensors, actuators, switches and connectors, to be used as carry-over parts for increasing the volume, the quality and thus reducing cost. Common architectures are going through changes during their lifecycle. New functions are integrated due to customer needs or for upgrading. To achieve the most efficient way of integration, various factors have to be considered. Factors are e.g. fusing concept, wire routing (topology) and communication network. To handle these and other factors, only processes with an appropriate level of software support are able to provide accurate and reliable results.