The In-Car Computing Network: An Embedded Systems Challenge

Modern vehicles are in fact computer networks on wheels. Up to 60 electronic control units are connected using various networking technologies such as CAN (Controler Area Network) or MOST (optical fibres for multimedia content). Many of the control units use state of the art microcontrollers and have complex analog and digital interfacing circuitry. Software is playing an ever increasing role in the definition of vehicle control functions. The speech is giving an overview on modern vehicle electronic architecture and its inherent hardware and software challenges. The growth fields of automotive electronics will be highlighted and examples of next generation applications will be given. Karl-Thomas Neumann is Director of Electronic Strategy, reporting to Volkswagen group board member for R&D. Prior to his current position, Dr Neumann was the Director of Electronic Research supporting all nine brands of the Volkswagen Group. Before joining Volkswagen, Dr. Neumann spend six years at Motorola Semiconductor Product Sector in Munchen performing various functions ranging from Design Engineer, Manager of Strategy and Technology Development Europe to Director of Strategy and Advanced systems Labs. Dr. Neumann completed Electrical Engineering with focus on Information Processing at University of Dortmund (1987) and received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Duisburg in 1995. Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Design: VLSI in Computers & Processors (ICCD’01) 1063-6404/01 $10.00 © 2001 IEEE