Basics of Automotive Electronic Control Units
Many of the latest innovations in automotive functionality and safety can be mapped to the functions of the car’s automatic electronic control units (ECUs). These embedded processors analyze, and, in some cases, act on information to improve security, driver-assist features, entertainment, and autonomous driving. Today’s automobiles could be equipped with hundreds of ECUs.
At Samtec, we work with customers implementing a variety of automotive applications, including embedded control modules as well as infotainment, vision systems, and C-V2X technology. Each has different requirements for the interconnects to the ECUs. The folks over at SiBrain Technologies Pvt Ltd created the graphic shown below. They have kindly given me permission to reprint it here. I think it does a nice job of showing how some different ECUs in the vehicle can govern different functions. (If you would prefer to just jump to more cable and connector product details, please see the newly released full-line Samtec Automotive Catalog.)
A Word about P-PAP
If you are new to the automotive segment, you should know that automotive designs require highly reliable components with long lifetimes. One way to satisfy these requirements is to look for components with a PPAP designation, which stands for Production Part Approval Process. PPAP is an automotive quality standard with a fairly complex submission process, and it aims to verify a component’s production process. At Samtec, we designate PPAP parts with an A- before the part number. Currently we have 100+ interconnect parts available with this designation that are certified to IATF 16949 to support Level 3 PPAP.
Integrated ECU Functions
In addition to the digital data signals reporting back to the ECMs, many in-vehicle applications also require the transmission of a power signal over the cable/connector. There are a variety of different ways to achieve that in a single connector, some will be explained below.
In-vehicle Infotainment
Heads-up dashboard displays as well as advanced displays such as maps, directions, and communication tools throughout the vehicle could benefit from a design that handles signal and power in a single connector. Many of Samtec’s customers working in this space use our Edge Rate® Rugged High Speed Connectors (with optional friction latch) for both in-dashboard and vehicle infotainment systems. Some need a different configuration, and choose the Q-Rate® series, which is the same contact style but in a slim strip format. An interesting feature of these is that you can use the ground plane in the Q-Rate Series to send a power signal.
Integrated Vehicle Control
Engineers working on automotive designs are looking to differentiate their systems. Sometimes, when it comes to connector design, they find that what is considered standard will not quite fit. This is where Samtec’s Flex Stack products are proving to be helpful. Based on one of the company’s founding principles of quick-turn customer service, Flex Stack can be quickly configured as a product with standard lead times.
For instance, it is possible to piece together a shrouded, polarized, connector with a controlled stack height for an application such as window switches or electronics in the steering column. Some Samtec customers use Flex Stack connectors for testing and debugging these high reliability systems, such the Samtec JTAG flexible stacking connectors that can be stripped off the board later for the production process. In fact, one of Samtec’s most popular products in the automotive segment is a Flex Stack product: A-FTSH. It is available in vertical and horizontal orientations, and it can be polarized and keyed to avoid incorrect installation.
C-2VX
Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) technologies enable vehicle control and improved safety/traffic flow by accessing cellular networks and cloud services. These systems require highly reliable high-speed as well as high-frequency signals to quickly and accurately exchange data. Different types of interconnects are necessary to route data from radios to sensors throughout the vehicle. Here, Samtec customers often use a combination of Samtec Precision RF cables and connectors RF Cable Assemblies & Connectors, RF Board Connectors, & RF Adaptors | Samtec as well as interconnects with excellent digital signal integrity, such as the SEARAY™ A-SEAF/A-SEAM High Density Open Pin Field Arrays.
Body Diagnosis, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, & Parking Assistance
External sensors and cameras enable ECUs to analyze and respond to what is happening outside of the vehicle. For these types of applications, Samtec customers often select SEARAY™ high-density open-pin-field arrays, proven, high-performance connector arrays that allow for power, digital, and analog signals.
This was just a sampling of some of the critical ECUs in today’s automotive designs. We certainly could not cover the 100s of possibilities, but our automotive system design experts would be happy to discuss your application with you. Please take a look at the Samtec full-line automotive catalog and/or contact [email protected] to get started.
References
SET Connectors Operate In Rugged, Harsh Environments, Like Automotive SDVs – The Samtec Blog
Five New Automotive Video Solutions from Samtec – The Samtec Blog
