ZF TRW to Introduce Advanced ECU in 2018

ZF Friedrichshafen AG's TRW unit says it has won two new contracts one each with a European and U.S.-based carmaker for its new "safety domain" electronic control unit. The new controllers will debut in 2018-model vehicles.

The second-generation system acts as a central integration hub that processes millions of bytes of data from multiple driver assist systems. By interfacing with the steering, braking and drivetrain systems, the device allows advanced functions while reducing the number of control units and simplifying the vehicle's electronic architecture, according to the supplier.

TRW launched the first-generation unit, which it refers to as SDE, in 2013. ZF acquired TRW Automotive in May.

In addition to the two new contracts, ZF TRW has won a development contract with an unspecified European carmaker for SDE2. The supplier expects the use of such controllers will expand from luxury vehicles to high-volume segments by 2020 and be a key driver for autonomous vehicles.

SDE2 can integrate more data from more sensors and other inputs including radar and cameras from around the vehicle. The new central controller also enables increased functionality, including automated braking and steering capability, according to ZF TRW.

Using a high-performance multi-core microprocessor, SDE 2 can interface with and support a variety of in-vehicle electronics protocols. The ECU's open architecture can integrate software control algorithms from suppliers and third-party providers, using Autosar 4.0 as a basis. This gives carmakers the potential to work with multiple suppliers and utilize the same algorithm across a number of vehicle platforms, ZF TRW says.