A vehicle electronics layout in which zone ECUs placed in each area of the car connect nearby sensors and actuators, while control processing is concentrated in a central high-performance computer. It allows a shorter, lighter wiring harness than the traditional one-ECU-per-function approach.
Japanese name: ゾーンアーキテクチャ
Zonal architecture appears in 1 practice question across 1 topic, including Automotive Semiconductors and Functional Safety.
Answer: C. Consolidating the wiring of sensors and actuators and power distribution into zone ECUs placed in each location (zone) of the vehicle, and linking them to a high-performance central computer over a high-speed network
Traditionally, each added function brought another dedicated ECU, leading to more than 100 ECUs in some luxury cars along with long, heavy wiring harnesses. In a zonal architecture, zone ECUs in each location, such as the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle, connect nearby sensors and actuators, while control processing is consolidated in a high-performance central computer. Wiring becomes shorter and lighter, and batch software updates become easier. Zone ECUs also handle power distribution, replacing fuses and relays with semiconductor switches.
In a zonal architecture, zone ECUs in each location, such as the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle, connect nearby sensors and actuators, while control processing is consolidated in a high-performance central computer.
Which correctly describes the ongoing shift to a "zonal arc…As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
ECU (electronic control unit) AEC-Q100 ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) CAN bus Diagnostic coverage FTTI (fault tolerant time interval) HARA (hazard analysis and risk assessment) HAST (highly accelerated stress test) ISO 26262 Lockstep CPU