Given the current trend for ECUs to have centralized computing power for specific domains such as powertrain, chassis, ADAS, body or infotainment, there are growing power requirements for development ECUs. ETAS (Booth AV205) has been demonstrating how it has combined its recent ES830 prototyping system with its ECU access modules to better cater to the needs of the AV and ADAS industry, at this week’s Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo in Novi.
The new access device now features a Fast ETK (FETK) connection, as well as gigabit Ethernet, so that it can support all commonly used automotive bus systems, with the possibility to input and output data more quickly than before.
This new stack allows developers to connect to an ECU and use a new control system in an external device, communicating back and forth with the ECU at speeds that were not previously possible, and enabling the rapid control prototyping of AV and ADAS control systems.
Udo Rieber, senior business developer, commented, “With these kinds of systems, you need fast cycle times, otherwise you’re dealing with time-outs. It’s key that it’s fast!”