Simulation is the only way to get the kind of confidence necessary to field autonomous vehicle functions. Karsten Krügel, Sven Flake, dSPACE GmbH HOW do you ensure that an autonomous vehicle will perform safely when the driver’s responsibility has essentially been removed? The necessity for reliable operation under this scenario is raising major challenges within […]
How to design a functionally safe vehicle display
It pays to know about the ASIL B compliance measures needed for automotive subsystems. Szukang Hsien, Automotive Business Unit, Maxim Integrated TAKE the wheel of a new car today and you’ll be greeted with the bright glow of screens filled with useful data: how fast you’re going, what’s playing on the radio, a playlist of […]
Inertial measurement units will keep self-driving cars on track
IMUs are just as important as cameras and radar when it comes to operating autonomous vehicles reliably. Mike Horton, Aceinna Inc. AN inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a device that directly measures a vehicle’s three linear acceleration components and three rotational rate components (and thus its six degrees of freedom). An IMU is unique among […]
How to test time-sensitive networks effectively
Connected vehicles depend on networks that won’t bog down when handling real-time data. Specialized TSN tests ensure messages arrive on time and intact. Jeff Warra, Spirent ETHERNET has been the backbone of IT infrastructure for more than 40 years, but it was never designed to be a determinist network. That’s why, over time, Ethernet standards […]
When tire pressure monitoring gets smart
Bluetooth-enabled tire monitors will check inflation pressures and temperatures with much more precision than available through yellow lights on a dash panel. Addy Mulders, Dialog Semiconductor THE words “connected cars” often bring to mind self-driving autonomous vehicles. But connected cars will offer a variety of capabilities, not the least of which is tire pressure monitoring […]
How telematics is evolving with the connected car
The embedded systems that control vehicle tracking grow more sophisticated by the day. Hope Bovenzi, Texas Instruments Inc. THE phrase “car of the future” often invokes thoughts about autonomous driving. But it is fair to also consider what it will be like as a passenger once our driving habits change. With free hands and relaxed […]
Galvanic isolation for electric vehicle systems
High voltages and high currents circulating in EVs make the fundamentals of electrical isolation techniques an important topic. Ross Sabolcik, Silicon Labs AS automotive designs move toward electrification, high-wattage power electronics become critical to new electronic drivetrain and battery systems. In these applications, digital controllers safely interface with the high-voltage systems of modern electric vehicles […]
Vehicle electrical systems: Zero-to-sixty in 48 volts
Versatile automotive 48-V electrical systems will reduce CO2 emissions and make practical super-efficient electrical subsystems. Joseph Pulomena, EPCOS, a TDK Group Co. NEARLY five years ago, the U.S. government issued rules requiring automakers to hit a fleet average of 54.5 mpg for new cars and trucks – nearly doubling average fuel economy. Electric vehicles and […]
Are power systems up to the task of running self-driving cars?
Automotive electronics depends on power supplies that can handle abuse like load dumps. New ICs are optimized for these extreme environments and can meet stringent vehicle safety standards. Tony Armstrong, Analog Devices Inc. THE auto industry expects a transition to autonomous vehicles via both an evolutionary path, where existing cars get there little by little […]
The tricky business of teaching cars to see
Neural network software can be difficult to debug. One reason: It functions only vaguely in the way it has been explained to the general public. Leland Teschler, Executive Editor CRACK open an autonomous-driving vehicle and you will find neural networks taught to recognize objects such as pedestrians, road signs, and other vehicles. Recent accidents involving […]