Dynamic Diagnostic Controller Architecture for Scalable and Adaptive Zonal Based Vehicle Platforms

The rapid evolution of in-vehicle electronic systems toward zonal and High-Performance Computing (HPC)-based architectures introduces a new layer of complexity in automotive diagnostics. Traditional architectures, built on Controller Area Network (CAN) and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) protocols, operate on a uniform Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), enabling simplified and consistent diagnostic workflows across Electronic Control Units (ECUs). However, next-generation platforms must accommodate diverse communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, DoIP, SOME/IP) and heterogeneous operating systems (e.g., RTOS, Linux, QNX), resulting in fragmented and inflexible diagnostic processes. This paper presents a Centralized Diagnostic Gateway architecture that addresses these challenges by enabling unified, scalable, and adaptive diagnostic capabilities across modern vehicle platforms. The proposed system consolidates protocol handling at the HPC level, abstracts diagnostic complexities, and allows cross-platform communication through hypervisor-based services. Diagnostic configurations are decoupled from static software builds and delivered dynamically as configuration files, supporting real-time adaptability to software updates and Over-The-Air (OTA) changes. This architecture also facilitates seamless interoperability across operating systems and enables service-based diagnostics in line with the industry’s move toward software-defined vehicles. The result is a robust, future-ready diagnostic solution optimized for high software variability, platform heterogeneity, and increasing system complexity in modern automotive ecosystems.