Embedded Multi-core System for Design of Next Generation Powertrain Control Units

In recent days lots of effort is spent on the integration of multi-core processors also in embedded realtime systems domain for several reasons, such as continuously increasing performance requirements and stricter power limitations. This trend is reflected also in the automotive field. Another major aspect for this up-coming trend is the increasing amount of ECUs within the vehicle. Modern vehicles are equipped with 70 to 100 ECUs communicating trough the existing networks within the vehicle with each other to handle the necessary control SW system for vehicle operation. With upcoming multi-core technologies this amount could be reduced by combining different control application with possibly mixed criticality into one multi-core ECU. In this paper, a smart environment for the efficient validation of innovative system architectures based on multi-core platforms in order to be able to handle this future trend in the automotive field is presented. The motivation is to provide a hybrid environment (mixing simulation and physical components) for development of dependable automotive based on multicore controllers and thus reduce validation efforts and costs. The major objectives of the paper addresses the integration of multi-core technology in existing control applications in order to provide more computing resources for (a) improvement of existing functions and (b) development of novel functionalities and the electrical and functional integration of high dynamic controls with time based vehicle control algorithm.