Embedded Systems in

Automobiles

Mechatronics

What is an Embedded System ?

An

Embedded System is a controller

(or computer) that is embedded into
some device for some purpose other
than to provide general purpose
computing.

Instead

of physically engineering
new models, new design now
means the application of electronics
to virtually everything

Embedded Systems You will

encounter in everyday life

A typical home has 81 controllers-controllers--they're

they're in the
washing machine, CD player, DVD player, and
even the smoke alarm.

A typical office has 42 controllers embedded into

devices like scanners and printers.

Automobiles have with as many as 73 controllers

to help run the transmission, antilock brakes, and
other equipment.

In fact, during the year 2000, the average person

encountered nearly 250 embedded controllers-controllers-silicon chips-chips--each
each day, according to the research
firm Semico Research. By 2005, that number will
be 304.
304.

BMW 750 Series Cars

To control some 700 functions for

communication,
GPS,
climate,
and
entertainment..
entertainment

The designers removed the stick shift and

replaced it with a big rotary knob so you
can menu
menu--control everything on a video
screen (when youre not using the voice
recognition system, that is)
is)..

This car has no less than 123 electric

motors in it
it;; there are 38 fans just in the
two front seats!

ECU in Mercedes SS-Class

Important Embedded Controllers in

an Automobile

Over View of Automobile

Electronic Systems

Engine Sensors
In order to provide the correct amount of fuel for
every operating condition, the engine control unit
(ECU) has to monitor a huge number of input
sensors. Here are just a few:

Mass airflow sensor : Tells the ECU the mass of

air entering the engine

Oxygen sensor : Monitors the amount of

oxygen in the exhaust so the ECU can determine
how rich or lean the fuel mixture is and make
adjustments accordingly

Throttle position sensor : Monitors the throttle

valve position (which determines how much air
goes into the engine) so the ECU can respond
quickly to changes, increasing or decreasing the
fuel rate as necessary

Engine Sensors

Manifold absolute pressure sensor:

Monitors the pressure of the air in the intake
manifold The amount of air being drawn into
the engine is a good indication of how much
power it is producing; and the more air that
goes into the engine, the lower the manifold
pressure, so this reading is used to gauge
how much power is being produced.

Engine speed sensor : Monitors engine

speed, which is one of the factors used to
calculate the pulse width

Coolant temperature sensor : Allows the

ECU to determine when the engine has
reached its proper operating temperature

Electronic Engine Management

System

Need for Electronic Fuel Injection

Stricter emissions regulation like :

CARB, EURO - I/II, Bharat - II

Catalytic converters - Necessitates very careful

control of the air
air--to
to--fuel ratio was required for
the catalytic converter to be effective
effective..

Oxygen sensors : monitor the amount of

oxygen in the exhaust, and the engine control
unit (ECU) uses this information to adjust the
air--to
air
to--fuel ratio in real
real--time
time.. This is called
closed loop control -- it was not feasible to
achieve this control with carburetors
carburetors..

Inside a Fuel Injector

Fuel Injector in Action

Fuel injectors mounted in the

intake manifold of the engine

Spark Timing

The timing of the spark is important, and the timing can

either be advanced or retarded depending on conditions.

The time that the fuel takes to burn is roughly constant

constant..
But the speed of the pistons increases as the engine speed
increases.. This means that the faster the engine goes, the
increases
earlier the spark has to occur
occur.. This is called spark
advance:: The faster the engine speed, the more advance
advance
is required
required..

Minimizing emissions,
emissions, take priority when maximum
power is not required:
Retarding the spark timing reduces maximum cylinder
pressures and temperatures can be reduced. Lowering
temperatures helps reduce the formation of nitrogen
oxides (NOx)
Retarding the timing may also eliminate knocking;
some cars that have knock sensors will do this
automatically.

Anti--Lock Braking System

Anti

CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM

Adaptive Cruise Control

Uses forwardforward-looking radar to detect the speed
and distance of the vehicle ahead of it.
Adaptive cruise control can automatically
adjust speed in order to maintain a proper
distance between vehicles in the same lane.
This is achieved through a radar headway
sensor,, digital signal processor and
sensor
longitudinal controller.
controller. If the lead vehicle
slows down, or if another object is detected,
the system sends a signal to the engine or
braking system to decelerate. Then, when the
road is clear, the system will rere-accelerate the
vehicle back to the set speed.

Electric Power Steering

Electric Power Steering

Steer--by
Steer
by--Wire System

Steer-by-Wire system eliminates the

mechanical connection between the driver and
the vehicles front tires.

The traditional steering elements are replaced

by two actuators positioned in the vehicles
front corners.

These actuators receive input from the control

module and turn the front wheels accordingly.

The system also uses an electric motor to

provide road feedback to the drivers
handwheel.

Steer-by-Wire concept

ESP & Active Suspension

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

New Mercedes
Mercedes--Benz CL coupe will feature
Active Body Control (ABC), a high
high-performance active suspension system that
virtually eliminates body roll and pitch during
cornering, braking and acceleration
acceleration..

The driver will experience the benefits of

ABC not only in terms of superb, sporty
handling, but in a new level of ride comfort,
as well
well.. ABC makes use of high
high--speed servos
and sensors to give the system its split
split-second reaction time
time..

Automated Highway Systems

AHS is the superhighway of tomorrow, developed

to reduce highway congestion and to increase
driver safety.

Using magnets embedded in the highway,

magnetic sensors in the vehicle monitor the
vehicles course, while an intricate electronic
control system regulates vehicle speed and
direction of travel.

Electric Power Steering System enables the

development of a hands-off Steer-by-Wire
system.

The system constantly corrects the steering

position to achieve precise control of the vehicle.

Immobilizer System
The

Immobilizer System is a key

technology of Vehicle AntiAnti-theft
systems.

Through

communication with the

Transponder via the keys, the system
identifies the improper keys and
enables the Engine Control Module to
shut off the fuel system or starter to
protect the vehicle from theft.

Immobilizer System

Catalytic Converter

How Catalytic Converter works

The reduction catalyst is the first stage of the

catalytic converter. It uses platinum and rhodium
to help reduce the NOx emissions. When an NO
or NO2 molecule contacts the catalyst, the
catalyst rips the nitrogen atom out of the
molecule and holds on to it, freeing the oxygen in
the form of O2. The nitrogen atoms bond with
other nitrogen atoms that are also stuck to the
catalyst, forming N2.

The oxidation catalyst is the second stage of

the catalytic converter. It reduces the unburned
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by burning
(oxidizing) them over a platinum and palladium
catalyst. This catalyst aids the reaction of the CO
and hydrocarbons with the remaining oxygen in
the exhaust gas.

How Catalytic Converter works

The third stage is a control system that monitors

the exhaust stream, and uses this information to
control the fuel injection system
system.. There is an
oxygen sensor mounted upstream of the catalytic
converter, meaning it is closer to the engine than
the converter is
is.. This sensor tells the engine
computer how much oxygen is in the exhaust
exhaust..
The engine computer can increase or decrease
the amount of oxygen in the exhaust by
adjusting the air
air--to
to--fuel ratio
ratio..

This control scheme allows the engine computer

to make sure that the engine is running at close
to the stoichiometric point, and also to make sure
that there is enough oxygen in the exhaust to
allow the oxidization catalyst to burn the
unburned hydrocarbons and CO
CO..

Diesel Engine Fuel Injection

System

Hybrid Vehicle
Combination

of internal combustion engine

and a battery operated motor. Also has a
generator.

Functions

as a pure electric vehicle for

relatively short commutes and retains
conventional automobile capability

Hybrid Features
Small

engine (quarter to one tenth of

conventional car)
Engine runs at the most efficient condition
(more cleaner and efficient)
Recovers the vehicles kinetic energy by
regenerative braking
Can use grid electricity for charging
batteries

Hybrid Configuration

2
4

1.

Engine

2.

Battery

3.

Motor/Generator

4.

Output shaft

Main Components of Hybrid

Relatively low power engine
Motor/generator that may be on the engine
output shaft or connected to the engine by a
gear, belt etc
A two way controller for the motor generator
system
Batteries, flywheels, fuel cells etc that can give
short bursts of high output for acceleration and
also long time energy supply for driving and
auxiliaries.
Control circuits for the motor power, engine,
sensors for speed, battery voltage, charge etc

Information & Entertainment

(Infotainment)

Internet, ee-mail, mobile phones, information

reception, navigation, TV, voice recognition, airairconditioning, audio and rear seat entertainment.

The navigation system for failsafe positioning on

the map; a satellitesatellite-guided GPS and a mapmapmatching system.

Voice guidance and automatic route selection

technologies.

Mitsubishi Electric is already developing a

system that will make it possible to actively
transmit and receive traffic news in realreal-time to
allow the driver to avoid congested roads

A typical Body Electronic System

Advanced Sensing

Advanced Engine Control

Future Trends in Automobiles

Electric Car

Hybrid Vehicle

Fuel Cell Technology

By--Wire Technology
By

Direct Injection

High performance Microcontrollers

Industry Trends

Automobiles today resemble "computers

on wheels,".

Each model year, vehicle manufacturers

offer
more
sophisticated
systems
addressing vehicle safety, telematics, and
"infotainment" -- all networked within the
vehicle..
vehicle

Automotive electronics now account for

22%
22
% of a vehicle's cost and are projected
to increase to up to 40
40%
% by 2010
2010..
Semiconductors will comprise most of the
growth in automotive electronics over the
next 5-10 years .

For your information

The main growth drivers for embedded software in the next five
years will
be mobile telecommunications, military applications
(programmes such as e-Textiles of the U.S. Department of Defense)
New areas are opening up like autonomous robots with embedded
programming for personal use, such as the robot pets from Sony.
Geographically, the embedded software market is dominated by
North America, accounting for 53 per cent of the worldwide
shipments in 2001, followed by Europe (25 per cent) and the AsiaPacific region (17 per cent).
In the next five years, North America will still maintain its
dominance but the Asia-Pacific market will be growing fast and may
equal the European share
In 2001, the worldwide shipments of EOS, bundled products and
related services were worth $663.8 million. This is expected to rise
to $1,575 million by 2006.
Courtesy

THE HINDU