Automotive Embedded Systems

Objectives

The aim of the course is to empower students to recognise different vehicle control units, analyse communication protocols and enable them to add additional modules.

Students already have basic knowledge of electronics and microcontrollers, this course, despite being based on these subjects, focuses on the different units, the fieldbus and its interrelation.

Since no two vehicles are the same and systems may be added in the future, the ultimate goal is for the student to understand the concept of an embedded system in a car and to be able to create a new system that can be added in the future to a vehicle.

Learning outcomes

• Applies and understands the basics of digital electronics and microcontrollers and designs microcontroller-based digital circuits.
• Identifies electronic equipment, measurement systems, signal conditioning, analogue and digital signal filtering, AD and DA converters, vehicle instrumentation buses and the necessary criteria for electromagnetic compatibility.
• Understands the advanced foundations of microcontrollers and designs and implements embedded systems and electronic instrumentation and control systems for the automotive engineering industry.
• Discovers and applies to your vehicle's final electronics (advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), body electronics and lighting, hybrid vehicles, electric and powertrain systems, infotainment and cluster, passive safety, etc.).
• Developes in complex situations or that require the development of new solutions, both in academia and at work or in the professional field.
• Demonstrates skills for critical reflection in the processes linked to the exercise of the profession.
• Knows and applies the principles of buses and communication networks in the design of connectivity and IoT systems for the automotive sector.
• Orally presents the results obtained in practices and/or work.

Competencies

General skills

• Desire to take part in lifelong learning, innovate, create value and acquire new knowledge.

Specific skills

• Know the principles of analogue and digital electronics, electronic instrumentation and microprocessor-based systems, and this knowledge in the design of embedded systems and electronic instrumentation and control systems for the automotive engineering sector.
• Understand the basic principles of use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases, software applications in engineering, industrial computing and communications networks, and apply this to engineering in general and to the design of connectivity systems in the automotive sector.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialists and non-specialists.

Core skills

• Be a critical thinker before knowledge in all its dimensions. Show intellectual, cultural and scientific curiosity and a commitment to professional rigour and quality.
• Exercise active citizenship and individual responsibility with a commitment to the values of democracy, sustainability and universal design, through practice based on learning, service and social inclusion.
• Interact in international and worldwide contexts to identify needs and and new contexts for knowledge transfer to current and emerging fields of professional development, with the ability to adapt to and independently manage professional and research processes.

Content

Automotive Bus systems

1. Background
2. Current buses (CAN bus, LIN, MOST, Bluetooth, Wifi, "WAN")
3. Diagnostic systems
4. Electrical and electronic systems in vehicles
   • Architecture of electronic automotive systems
   • Control systems: Motor, security, comfort and communication, etc.
   • Sensors and actuators in vehicles
5. Design requirements for vehicle embedded systems

Evaluation

NF = 25% PC + 15% min (P1, ERP1) + 15% min (P2, ERP2) + 45% min (EF, ERF)

• PC = Participation in class = 5% Observation + 10% Work in class + 10% class exams
• P1 = Project delivery
• P2 = Project exam
• EF = Final exam

Recovery (up to 50% of the subject)

Students will be able to recover up to 50% of the final grade of the subject, as follows:

• Recovering 40% of the final exam (ERF)
  • The mark obtained replaces the grade of the exam that you want to recover: both higher and lower.
  • Date: View schedules (calendar icon, virtual campus)
• Individual evaluation
  Retrieving only one block from the two practice blocks (10% ERP1, 10% ERP2)
  • The mark obtained (10%) replaces the mark of the recovered practice block (ERP1, ERP2 or ERP3).
  • Exam type test
  • Date: View schedules (calendar icon, virtual campus)

Methodology

The course is taught in 10 theoretical and practical sessions daily for two weeks.

Some exercises would be done through edpuzzle, each student must sign for a free account.

At the beginning of each session, the theory that underlies practical work will be learned. The theory and exercises will be presented related to contexts specific to the automotive sector.

During the sessions exercises will be proposed for the students to solve independently, which will have to be delivered. The resolution of these exercises is key to properly follow the course and pass the exams favorably.

Students will have to work in groups to present and defend a project related to the concepts seen in the course Automotive Embedded Systems.

It is recommended to consult the Work Plan uploaded to the UVic-UCC virtual classroom of the subject.

Bibliography

Key references

• (2014). Bosch Automotive Electrics and Automotive Electronics: Systems and Components, Networking and Hybrid Drive (5 ed.). Robert Bosch GmbH.
• Nicolas Navet, Françoise Simonot-Lion (2009). Automotive Embedded Systems Handbook. CRC Press.
• Ulrich Adler (1978). Technical Instruction: K-Jetronic (2 ed.). Robert Bosch GmbH.
• William B. Ribbens (2017). Understanding Automotive Electronics: An Engineering Perspective (8 ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.