On-vehicle Compact and Lightweight Multi-channel Central Gateway Unit

摘要

With the rising number of electronically controlled devices used in vehicles, the demand for ECUs (electronic control units) has been increased, and it is now required to configure an in-vehicle LAN (local area network) that connects multiple networks. In the past, multistage networks were formed using a two-channel gateway ECU that connects two different networks, making vehicle communication design complicated. We developed a central gateway ECU that is equipped with six network interfaces to relay communication data between channels. This central gateway ECU secures the independence of respective systems, resulting in a simple communication design even with many ECUs being connected. The central gateway ECU, the main ECU for the in-vehicle LAN, allows Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. to offer vehicle infrastructure systems in combination with wiring harnesses and junction boxes.