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With the increasing number of ECUs in modern automotive applications (70 in high end cars), designers are facing the challenge of managing complex design tasks, such as the allocation of software tasks over a network of ECUs. The allocation may be dictated by different attributes (performance, cost, size, etc.). The task of validating a given allocation can be achieved either via static analysis (e.g., for cost, size) and/or dynamic analysis (e.g. via performance simulation - for timing constraints). This paper brings together two key concepts: algorithmic and optimization techniques to be used during static analysis and virtual integration platforms for simulation-based exploration. The two concepts together provide the pillars for a constraint-driven / simulation-based approach, tailored to optimize the entire ECU network according to a cost function defined by the user.

Modular systems provide the ability to achieve product variety through the combination and standardization of components. In this paper, a methodology that combines the system modeling, integration analysis, and optimization techniques for development of modular electrical/electronic vehicle systems is presented. The approach optimizes integration and interactions of the electrical/electronic system elements and creates functional and physical modules for the system. The approach proposed in this paper is systematic and can be used to support product development and decision making in engineering design.

Consumers always seem to want more features, better reliability, and increased value. Regulations seem to grow ever more detailed and competitors are constantly raising the stakes by implementing new innovations. This coupled with the fact that automotive manufacturers are constantly trying to reduce cost and weight of the vehicle, makes the task of designing a vehicle even more challenging. One of the major contributors to the vehicles cost and weight is the electrical/electronics system. Designing a vehicle's electrical/electronic system is a complex task with many constraints (e.g., cost, timing, manufacturing, assembly, weight, quality, reliability, serviceability, industry standards, brand image, etc). Analyzing and understanding all of these constraints and alternatives is how the vehicle's electrical/electronic system should be designed. In this paper, the constraints that need to be considered when designing a vehicle's electrical/electronic system will be discussed.