ZF TRW Wins Major Business For Second Generation Of Safety Domain Electronic Control Unit

ZF TRW Wins Major Business For Second Generation Of Safety Domain Electronic Control Unit

The Safety Domain ECU (SDE) acts as a central integration hub – processing millions of bytes of data from environmental sensors of the vehicle’s state and surroundings. By interfacing with the steering, braking and drivetrain systems, a multitude of functions can be enabled while reducing the number of control units and simplifying the vehicle’s electronic architecture.

ZF - Electric Control UnitZF TRW has won two business awards with North American and European vehicle manufacturers for its second generation Safety Domain ECU (SDE 2). The central controller will launch in Europe and the U.S. starting in 2018.

The SDE acts as a central integration hub – processing millions of bytes of data from environmental sensors of the vehicle’s state and surroundings. By interfacing with the steering, braking and drivetrain systems, a multitude of functions can be enabled while reducing the number of control units and simplifying the vehicle’s electronic architecture.

Dr. Hans-Gerd Krekels, director of Active Safety Engineering and Automated Driving at ZF TRW, commented, “Data processing is at the core of automated driving and as vehicles feature more automated functions, increasing amounts of information about the vehicle’s surroundings need to be evaluated within fractions of a second. This requires a high performance control unit.”

For its SDE 2, ZF TRW has further increased functional safety by fulfilling the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Level – (ASIL D) requirements which actively monitor braking and steering systems and actuate selected functions when necessary. Compared to the previous generation, the central control unit can also integrate more data from vehicle dynamics arbitration systems and sensors – including radar and camera – to help enable 360-environmental sensing.

ZF TRW’s SDE 2 has a flexible, open architecture to integrate software control algorithms from both suppliers and third parties including vehicle manufacturers, using AUTOSAR 4.0 and beyond as a basis. This gives vehicle manufacturers the potential to work with multiple suppliers and utilize the same algorithm across a number of vehicle platforms to deliver a more consistent driving experience independent of the hardware. The SDE 2 has a high performance multi-core microprocessor that in addition to interfacing with CAN or FLEXRAY, can support Ethernet communication for increased speed, increased volume data transfer.

Krekels added, “Our SDE system holds major strategic importance as we embark on the journey toward automated driving. Over the last two years, demand has risen quickly in the premium segment but we expect that by 2020, the technology will also enter the mass volume vehicle market segment.”

ZF TRW’s first-generation SDE has been in series production with a major European vehicle manufacturer since the end of 2013. In addition to the above mentioned awards, ZF TRW has also won a development contract with a major European OEM to jointly develop a central control unit equipped to meet the requirements of 2020 and beyond.

You May Also Like

Dana Participating in Easter Jeep Safari

The event will take place in Moab, Utah, March 23-31.

Dana to Participate in Easter Jeep Safari 2024

Dana Incorporated will participate in Easter Jeep Safari 2024, held March 23-31 in Moab, Utah. Dana products will be on site and available for demonstrations.

“At Dana, we are committed to rigorously testing and validating our products in the most challenging conditions to guarantee superior quality, durability, and performance,” said Bill Nunnery, senior director, sales and marketing, global aftermarket for Dana. “Easter Jeep Safari features rugged trails that offer us an ideal terrain for product trials. The event also gives us the opportunity to engage with Jeep enthusiasts and understand how we can enhance their off-road experiences through vehicle customizations.”

ZF Aftermarket Releases 80 New Parts

The latest additions expand coverage to more than 5 million vehicles in operation.

ZF Aftermarket Releases 80 New Parts
Schaeffler Highlights ESG Progress in 2023 Sustainability Report

Schaeffler is currently focusing on seven key ESG goals in the implementation of its sustainability strategy.

Schaeffler 2023 Sustainability Report
CMA, DoubleCoin to Showcase Long-Haul Steer Tires at MATS

Company reps will be on-site to answer questions, schedule meetings and coordinate a raffle of outdoor sporting equipment in booth #11140.

tire-distribution-outlook-tire-rack
GB Reman to Host Jackpot Giveaway Winner at Long Beach Grand Prix

Jon Hetzel, owner of Hesski ServiCenter in Levittown, Pennsylvania, will join GB Reman in the company’s hometown next month

GB Reman to Host Jackpot Giveaway Winner at Grand Prix of Long Beach

Other Posts

Bendix Surpasses Worker Safety Goals

Bendix says its Total Case Improvement Rate improved since 2022.

Bendix Announces Worker Safety Statistics
New Rislone ‘DEF Crystal Clean’ Clears P20EE Codes

The product scrubs away crystal contaminants from the selective catalytic reduction systems of diesel cars, trucks and SUVs.

New Rislone DEF Crystal Clean Diesel DEF & SCR Emissions System Cleaner Announced
SMP Announces New Oil Filter Housing Kits

The kits feature multiple design improvements to prevent leaks, according to SMP.

SMP Announces New Oil Filter Housing Kits
NTK Technologies Announces Merger into Niterra North America

The merger will take effect on April 1, and NTK Technologies will begin operating under Niterra North America Inc.

Niterra Merger