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Safe Networking of Control Units for Driver Assistance Systems

2 min read

AUTOMOTIVE_Sichere_Vernetzung_Steuergeräte_Fahrassistenzsysteme

AUTOMOTIVE · STORY

Reliable driver assistance functions depend on deterministic communication paths, which the IP networks found in vehicles are not. In line with IEC 61508, NewTec implemented a black-channel communication that lays a virtual deterministic channel over the existing network and monitors its integrity continuously.

The task

Modern vehicles contain a wide variety of control units. Reliable driver assistance functions depend on secure information exchange and dependable access to these control units. With automatic parking, for example, the camera, brakes, electric steering system, surround radar, brake lights, indicators and more all have to work together. For this to happen safely, deterministic transmission is essential: it must be possible to verify whether a command is valid, and whether and exactly when it was transmitted. The communication networks in vehicles, however, are uniformly IP-based and therefore non-deterministic.

The solution

NewTec implemented safe communication in accordance with IEC 61508 by integrating a virtual deterministic channel. In this black-channel communication, which NewTec helped to develop, the integrity of the IP-based systems is monitored continuously by a safe protocol. Should a safety problem defined within the system boundaries occur, the system shuts down. The driver is notified and asked, for example, to park manually.