How Customers Benefit from International Standards
The use of standards in the Automotive sector generates significant efficiency gains. Tests can start earlier due to the unambiguousness of data descriptions, ECUs become less expensive due to standardized buses and protocols and the use of uniform runtime environments saves rework and maintenance costs.
To ensure that our customers benefit directly from the results of standardization, we are an active member of the key standardization bodies in automotive electronics, such as SAE, ASAM and ISO.
Data Description
Standardized Exchange of Capabilities
The growing complexity in automotive electronics requires manufacturer-independent standards. Standardized data descriptions become important at the latest when several participants in several companies exchange information and a multitude of applications are based on the same information. The standards defined here are also useful for processing information in different ways – in a structured form.
- Unambiguous description ➔ avoiding misunderstandings by written specification
- Executable specification ➔ direct integration into tools to avoid different misunderstandings with every implementation in a tool
- Single source ➔ cheaper, not only with first implementation but during life time with every new version of specification
Application Programming Interfaces (API)
Standardized Access to Electronic Components
Standardized Application Programming Interfaces (API) are used to exchange information between an application and individual program parts in a standardized way. An API is a program part that is made available by a software system to other programs for connection to the system. The transfer of data and commands is structured in compliance with a previously defined syntax. Along with access to databases or hardware (hard disk, graphics card), the creation of components of the graphical user interface is enabled or simplified.
- Distinct run time behavior ➔ using your database always leads to same results, in every tool, which uses the databas
- Supporting all use cases ➔ usually rather wide APIs allow almost every function
- Designed for Plug & Play ➔ easy integration into tools, also easy no dependency to API implementation, change to e.g. another VCI possible
Bus Systems
Standardized Connection of Electronic Components
Bus systems describe specialized internal communication networks that connect components in automobiles, buses, trains, aircraft, and industrial or agricultural vehicles. Vehicle control requirements (e.g. ensuring message delivery, conflict-free messages, minimum delivery time, etc.) require the use of less common network protocols (see Protocols).
Protocols
Standardized Communication Rules
Standardized protocols are necessary to meet the special requirements of the complex networking of electronic components in commercial vehicles. The standards defined here for the use of bus systems were created by the American Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in close cooperation with OEMs and suppliers.
- Wide choice of VCIs ➔ standardized protocols are a must-have for every supplier
- Easy ECU integration ➔ no specials coming from the VCI, implementation usually widely proofed
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