Design and Implementation of Middleware for Network Centric X-by-Wire Systems

X-by-Wire systems are expected to enhance vehicle driving performance and safety. Regarding the dependable and cost-effective electronic platform for X-by-Wire systems, we have so far proposed a network centric architecture based on a concept of autonomous decentralized systems. In this architecture, in case a certain node fails, the remaining normal nodes autonomously execute a backup control to maintain the system function. Following the concept proposal, in this study, we have designed the middleware for cluster node status monitoring because it is essential to identify the failed node accurately to execute the autonomous backup control. The middleware has been implemented on the FlexRay-based prototype brake-by-wire system. This paper describes the features of the middleware indispensable to the network centric X-by-Wire systems.