Automotive Semiconductors and Functional Safety
When the functions of multiple ECUs are integrated into a single high-performance SoC and software of different ASILs runs together, which is required?
- APlace the lower-ASIL and higher-ASIL software in the same memory region and let them read and write data freely
- BIsolate them with memory protection, timing monitoring and similar measures so that malfunctions of lower-ASIL software do not encroach on the memory or execution time of higher-ASIL software
- CGive the lower-ASIL software higher priority and run the higher-ASIL software only in idle time
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Isolate them with memory protection, timing monitoring and similar measures so that malfunctions of lower-ASIL software do not encroach on the memory or execution time of higher-ASIL software
Consolidating multiple functions in one SoC reduces the number of components and ECUs, but bugs in lower-ASIL software may interfere with higher-ASIL functions by corrupting memory or using up CPU time. Therefore, freedom from interference is demonstrated through spatial partitioning with memory protection units or a hypervisor, and temporal partitioning by allocating and monitoring execution time. Without partitioning, everything must be developed to the highest ASIL, which requires much more effort.
Continue: 9 more Automotive Semiconductors and Functional Safety questions