Role of RTOS in Autonomous Vehicles
Tags: Autosar, Embedded Systems, Autonomous Vehicles, Rtos, Ecu

Now since we have got basic know-how of RTOS and its types, let’s talk about its role in autonomous vehicles.

What is AUTOSAR?

Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) is an open and standardized automotive software architecture, which supports standardization in interfaces between basic vehicular functions and application software and it helps in establishing common ECU software architecture for all the AUTOSAR members.

AUTOSAR is intended to provide inherent benefits to the members to manage increasingly complex E/E in-vehicle environments like easy integration and exchange of functions in complex ECU network and control over the entire product lifecycle.

AUTOSAR Architecture

AUTOSAR is an open system architecture for automotive software development and provides standards for developing common automotive software applications. It is a growing and evolving standard that defines a layered architecture for the software. The classic AUTOSAR platform runs on a microcontroller and is divided into 3 main layers; let us discuss them in detail:

· Basic Software Architecture- It is common to any AUTOSAR ECU.

· AUTOSAR Runtime Environment

· Application Layer

Need for RTOS in Autonomous cars

Automotive Electronics functionality is provided by multiple software tasks running on individual microprocessors within ECUs. When there are multiple tasks with different periods and deadlines that are running on the same microprocessor real-time operating system a real-time Operating system is needed for when should each task run. The challenge is to guarantee tasks to meet the deadlines. The real-time operating system has scheduling and resource sharing policies that help meet deadlines. the second part of the challenge is to do with memory since both RAM and Flash memory is expensive in terms of silicon area, it is essential that the memory footprint of the operating system is minimized this allows microprocessor variants to be used that have less memory and a lower overall cost this small difference in unit cost multiplied by millions of units in a production run can lead to substantial savings for the automotive manufacturer

ECUs in Vehicles

ECU in Cars

An electronic control unit (ECU) is a small device in a vehicle’s body that is responsible for controlling a specific function.

Today’s vehicles may contain 100 ECUs or more, controlling functions that range from the essential (such as engine and power steering control) to comfort (such as power windows, seats, and HVAC), to security and access (such as door locks and keyless entry). ECUs also control passive safety features, such as airbags, and even basic active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking.

Each ECU typically contains a dedicated chip that runs its own software or firmware and requires power and data connections to operate.

Companies Manufacturing RTOS for Autonomous Cars

The operating system in cars is outsourced by different companies, MICROSOFT, LINUX, QNX covers almost 90% of the market, till the date I haven’t seen any company developing its own OS, they develop it from scratch or modify the existing one with the help of other companies it is outsourced from s/w companies. Even Intel, Nokia, Samsung is also trying to penetrate the market.

Microsoft — Windows Embedded Automotive 7 is the OS for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems such as Ford Sync, Kia Uvo, and Nissan Leaf. Most widely used car OS today.

Linux — As ever, Linux is snapping at Microsoft’s heels. Back in 2007 Toyota announced that they were building a new operating system from scratch, expecting it to surface around 2015. Little more was heard on the matter until July when the motoring giant became a gold member of the Linux Foundation, donating $100,000 annually to further Linux’s cause. The GENIVI Alliance too is heavily invested in open source.

Comprised of many big daddies such as GM, BMW, Hyundai, and PSA, they announced in Summer 2010 that they would be adopting MeeGo, an OS sprouting from the merger of Intel’s Moblin and Nokia’s Maemo.

Intel’s priorities seem to have shifted since then, more interested in a collaboration with Samsung called Tizen. That said, IVIs using one of these systems should be on the market shortly.

QNX- My favorite :)

A commercial OS originating in Canada, QNX is a Real-Time Operating System that prioritizes the speed and predictability of a task. Specifically designed for embedded systems, it is used in the Mercedes-Benz COMAND center and for many of Harman Automotive’s IVI products.

I have heard Apple is also developing iOS for cars but till now there is nothing as such in the market.

Clearly, much in the OS world will depend on how the software in our vehicles evolves. With consumers wanting to link their PC, smartphone, and car, Microsoft’s dominance faces a serious challenge. This OS arms race is not just for car systems but for the future of computing as a whole. Companies are continuously looking for new cost-cutting techniques with improved technology. So you never know when android start powering our vehicles’ OS too :)