Making software-defined vehicles a reality

TTTech Auto's 4SDV approach

In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, a seismic shift is taking place in the priorities of car buyers. The focus is no longer just on the traditional aspects of a vehicle, such as the engine, but has expanded to include the electronic user experiences within. As demand for innovation in connected mobility and automated driving reaches unprecedented levels, TTTech Auto is at the forefront, developing systems that manage complex functions while prioritizing safety and security for the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

The development of SDVs: a transformation in architecture and methodology

In SDVs, success depends on providing users with continuous and enjoyable feature updates throughout the life of a vehicle. This requires implementing architectures and methodologies that enable fast, robust, and cost-effective software updates without compromising safety and security. TTTech Auto recognized that previous architectures, characterized by numerous small electronic control units (ECUs), were unable to support continuous updates and functional innovation.

The role of abstraction in SDVs

A key enabler of innovation in SDVs is the abstraction of hardware and software. This key concept decouples the fast software innovation cycle from the comparatively slower hardware update cycle, enabling more agile and efficient development processes.

Challenges on the way to SDVs

The development of SDVs poses significant challenges due to the inherent complexity of these systems. SDVs are among the most complex software products in the world, exceeding even the complexity of aircraft software. They must not only provide advanced functionality, but also ensure the highest level of safety and security concurrently.

The 4SDV concept: integrating the system, safety and security in software

TTTech Auto has recognized the limitations of the traditional SDV concept and is introducing the 4SDV approach, emphasizing the related roles of Systems, Safety and Security in the software-defined vehicle. Safety and security are system-level properties and cannot be achieved through software alone. This approach emphasizes the importance of considering safety and security from the outset to avoid disaster in the form of missed timelines and cost overruns.

Key elements for making 4SDV a reality

A successful approach to 4SDV requires a systems engineering perspective that integrates safety, security, availability, robustness, ease of integration, and upgradability from the outset. Developing an appropriate architecture that provides sufficient reserves of processing, memory, and communications bandwidth for continuous upgrades is paramount.

Managing complexity through the TTTech Auto approach

Complexity in SDVs arises from both inherent and avoidable sources. TTTech Auto proposes a "correct-by-design" approach based on open standards such as AUTOSAR, Posix, Linux, DDS, and Zenoh, coupled with a time-triggered approach for event-triggered and data flow integration.

The Mission

The mission is clear: to accelerate and strengthen software integration while supporting the needs of safety, security, real-time capability and availability requirements. Our "correct-by-design" approach accelerates development, improves quality, and enables a faster transition to the 4SDV paradigm.

The automotive industry is heading towards a future dominated by SDVs. TTTech Auto's innovative approaches to hardware, software and safety consulting make it a key player in helping the industry move towards safer, more efficient and user-centric vehicles.

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