Switching to zonal E/E architectures in vehicles

From a distributed to a zonal approach Transforming cars into intelligent platforms

2024-10-25 From Sven Prawitz | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

The switch to zonal E/E architectures is complex, time-consuming and sometimes involves high investments. You can find out more about this topic at the IZB in Wolfsburg.

Control units for software updates via the mobile network.(Image: Volkswagen AG) — Control units for software updates via the mobile network.
(Image: Volkswagen AG)

Vehicles will be expanded to include software platforms. To achieve this, the electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture must undergo profound change. This is a major challenge for car manufacturers and their suppliers—but also an opportunity.

The E7E architecture is developing from a distributed architecture (many control units) via a domain-centralized architecture (function consolidation) to a zonal architecture.

Sangeeth Kumar, Senior Automotive Architect at Quest Global.
(Image:Quest Global)

The benefits of zonal architecture are manifold: it significantly reduces wiring complexity and weight, which improves vehicle efficiency and performance. Modern cars typically contain 70 to 100 control units, resulting in complex wiring harnesses. Zonal architecture consolidates functions and minimizes cabling requirements. Ethernet connections handle the growing volume of data, which is particularly important for autonomous driving. Lower latency times ensure faster response times for critical functions. This architecture also improves scalability and enables future upgrades and maintenance through software updates.

The transition to zonal architecture requires new skills, techniques and ways of working. OEMs face several hurdles:

Financial investments
Technical complexity
Supplier coordination
Software integration and cyber security
Further training of the workforce
Regulatory compliance
Testing and validation

Quest Global brings experience and expertise to this transformation. The company's approach is holistic and takes the entire vehicle ecosystem into account. Its competencies include:

Creation of robust, scalable software
Integration of cyber security: implementation of multi-layered security approaches.
Regulatory navigation: compliance with current and future standards.
Supplier coordination: Enabling seamless collaboration.
Testing and validation: Use of advanced processes for early problem solving.

Quest Global's software engineers use advanced methods to create flexible, maintainable code. Existing expertise extends to real-time operating systems, hypervisors and virtualization techniques.

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