From the point of view of an electronics engineer, a car is a moving box full of embedded systems. For those who have gathered to devote their lives to the automotive industry, as well as for those who just want to learn more about the internal structure of the car, this material may be useful.

Before the current century, there were not many electronic systems in cars. Some expensive models had electronic ignition, cruise control and climate control, but it was pretty primitive analog electronics systems. Since then, much has changed. Modern cars, even basic models, are in their composition dozens of microprocessors and microcontrollers of different power, from tiny 4-bit devices up to 32 or even 64-bit monsters.

Each of these devices contains a specific program to perform certain tasks, so the software is one of the most important factors of the quality and reliability of the car. To streamline the development of automotive embedded systems and software for them, special standards have been introduced, and their main (but not complete) list:

• CAN bus is a means for a reliable connection of the set of electronic systems together with a minimum amount of wires.
• Misra C (and C ++) is a detailed list of rules for using C language in critical security systems such as cars.
• OSEK / VDX - standard for real-time operating systems used in vehicles and other similar systems.
• Genivi is a standard for Linux-based systems used for information and entertainment systems in the car.

Consider each of these standards in more detail.

Tire Can.

Wiring in cars is traditionally paved according to the principle of "from point to point". This scheme is simple for understanding and technical support, but quickly becomes overly difficult when the number of electronic systems increases. At some point, the use of the system tire begins to make sense. A wiring bundle is sent from one device to another, and each device has a unique tire address and responds only when it sees this address on the tire. In automotive systems, several tire systems are used, but the CAN bus is the most well known and widely used.

Developers of embedded systems are often regretted that no programming language is ideal for their specific needs. In a sense, this situation is not surprising, because, although very many developers work on creating embedded applications, they still represent only a very small team in the world of community programming. Nevertheless, some languages \u200b\u200bhave been developed taking into account their use in embedded systems, for example, PL / M, Forth and ADA. But they are not generally accepted.

A compromise, which was adopted almost everywhere, is C. Language C is compact, expressive and powerful. It provides a programmer tools to write an efficient, readable and easily supported code. All these features led him to his popularity. Unfortunately, this language also allows careless developers to write a dangerous code that can cause serious problems at all stages of project development. In cars and other critical safety systems, it may be a big problem.

That is why, in the late 1990s, the Motor Industry Software Relaiability Association (Misra) association presented a number of rules to use the C language in vehicle systems. This standard has become known as Misra-C. A similar approach to using C ++ has been established. Although these principles were written for software developers used in cars, they soon began to extend to other applications where security is essential.

OSEK / VDX.

OSEK / VDX is a standard for OSRs intended for use in car management systems. It was designed from scratch for this purpose and includes the main characteristics necessary to ensure the safety of the critical system. A key feature is the lack of dynamic objects; Everything is created statically during the assembly. Internal simplicity of this implementation does not limit significantly software developers, but eliminates a significant potential source of system failure. And it is not surprising that other industries are interested in this standard. Operating systems that support OSEK / VDX are available from a variety of suppliers.

Most of the information and entertainment systems in cars do not have strict safety requirements and are not too tied to real time, so Linux is a good choice because it provides a wide selection of additional software components. And Genivi is a standard for implementing Linux in this context.

Do you know the types of software for repairing cars?

Car repair software

Two main types of car repair software are used to diagnose or to control the front office. Diagnostic software for car repair can contain multiple functions, including repair procedures, troubleshooting instructions, known "correct" values \u200b\u200bfor sensors and other priceless information. This software is often available in separate foreign and domestic car repair services, and can cover specific car brands. Specialized car repair software is also available for modern diagnostic tools, some of which can be quite complex computing devices. The software on the front panel may include estimates, schedulers and working order generators. High-quality software setting can be performed on http://savtom.com/ Where to repair cars Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

Mechanics historically received most of their information from the repair guides and from experience. Several publishers have created useful information and provided it in the form of a book. The two main types of these books had diagnostic guides and reference books at a fixed rate. In the manuals for diagnostics contained specifications and repair procedures, and fixed-speed manuals were evaluated how long each specific work should be performed. Thanks to the wide use of personal computers in the workplace, this type of information has been translated into the software repair software.

Most modern auto repair facilities have some system of a computerized information system to assist in diagnosing and repair. The simplest form of this is a single computer terminal with a set of CDs (CD) or digital universal disks (DVDs), which contain repair procedures, specifications and other information. The technician can enter the year, brand and vehicle model in this type of system to find specific information. Some of these programs also include many circuit, wired and disassembled charts.

There are several options for this basic type of software repair software. Some service providers provide all this information via an Internet connection. Thus, the technician or the store pays a monthly fee for access to information, which is always relevant. Such services offer critical bulletins and repairs procedures that were compiled by these experts in this area. Software is also usually available for a specialized scanner and diagnostic equipment, and some programs may even turn the laptop into the scanning device.

Another major type of car repair software is usually used in front of the office. Fair rates assessment is one of the most important functions of this software. This type of software allows the developer of technology or service to enter the year, brand and car model to find out how long any repairs should pass. These fixed speed numbers can then be combined with the price of parts to create an assessment. This type of software can also offer planning functionality, generate work orders and track sales.

The article on which represents the software of a modern car. Features of software, processes and technology. At the end of the article - an interesting video about 5 of the necessary Lifehaki for your car!

Review content:

No modern car thoughts without an electronic filling, which involves complex software. Driving a car, we almost do not think about what processes proceed from him inside - the monitor is not at the computer, but it means that the programs are not visualized, as if not. But they are.

Features of automotive software

Modern software for your car is very reliable: the equipment failure factor is just one per million operations during the year, and then as an exception.

Now every car is available in the presence of several electronic control units (ECU) - Electronic Control Unit, ECU, which interact with each other through the electronic network of the car.

Interaction between these blocks is performed due to tire architectures, which are a set of controllers - CAN, Controller Area Network, as well as a special network intended for transmitting special digital equipment information - Most, Media-Oriented Systems Trans, FEXRAY, as well as Local Interconnect, (LIN).

If you compare the listed tires with Ethernet, which is designed for PCs, they work at a reduced speed, since the amount of data being processed in the car is small. But this minimum amount of information should be treated literally for considerable milliseconds.

With the increasing number of ECU, developers have to create complicated structures of intra-automotive networks that require a more complex structure. Consider the main difference between cars and digital technologies of other destinations.

• Reliability - machinery system programs in a fairly complex ECU network to continue the entire use period should work as reliably as possible;
• The safety of the functions performed - ESC and the braking system must act be surely, and this already implies quite serious requirements for the software itself and the process itself;
• The interaction rate is an instantaneous reaction of the electronic components of the car (up to milliseconds) is not possible without special software architecture and improved operating systems;
• Reliable architecture - on the vehicle should carry out maximum electromagnetic compatibility, and also not to be influenced by distorted signals;
• The connection of the nodes of the electron-mechanical cycle.

Attention: In no case to prevent the ECU restart while working!

The main components of ECU.

ECU is a rather complicated fee, on which, in addition to the microcontroller, there are hundreds of other elements. Consider the main details.

1. Analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is equipment intended for removing indicators from certain automotive sensors, and from the oxygen sensor including. The fact is that the processor is able to perceive only digital values, and, for example, the oxygen indicator provides only electrical signals with voltage from 0 to 1.1V. ADC converts this data into a decheatic binary number, and it becomes clear for the processor.
2. The driver is a program designed to control digital equipment by converting signals.
3. Digital-analog converter (DAC) - provides analog signals to start certain components of the car engine.
4. Communication chip - these chips allow you to implement a variety of communication standards available in the car. Production has several such standards, but the most common of them is CAN - Controller-Area Networking. It provides a speed of 500 to / bits per second, which is extremely necessary for modules that make up to hundreds of operations in every month.

Processes and technology

Since the first software has appeared, much has changed. If the initial software could only control only one manufacturer, now it has become almost impossible.

Initially, an assembler was used in the past century. The language of SI began to spread in the 90s. Robert Bosch and many other manufacturers have begun to develop software using MathLab / Simulink and Ascet (control and modeling technologies).

CAN tire systems are made in a difficult car. The reason is that they do not exclude the interaction between programs of different ECUs. Modern luxury cars may contain a complex network consisting of 80 ECUs, which have a total of up to 100 million rows of code.

Due to the fact that the software is constantly becoming more complicated, the need to improve engineering technologies. Therefore, in the industry, parallel technical and organizational processes are constantly arising for the consciousness of the new software.

Engineering solutions at the level of processes and architecture are also becoming one of the main conditions of outsourcing. In connection with this circumstance, Bosch some developments began to go to the side since the beginning of the 90s of the last century.

Currently, work on software for cars is carried out by several associations distributed worldwide. And this kind of activity has become quite optimal for business.

Engine management

Resolutions of international legislation on ecology requires reduction of car fuel consumption and the corresponding reduction in environmental pollution. So, there is an incentive to improve the transmission in order to guarantee the optimal fuel injection and spark plug.

For example, modern diesel engines are capable of injection fuel in a minimum amount seven times in one clock. And this is for the engine with four cylinders, which develops the speed of rotation up to 1800 revolutions per minute, is 420 times per second. All this requires new functions of software and more thoughtful control algorithms to make any deviations to minimize.

The need to reduce harmful emissions required updated technologies and movement methods. Therefore, completing the usual internal combustion engines, in the future, the car market will own electric motors and mixed developments. In addition, the need for alternative fuel will increase, and the main lever to solve these tasks will serve as software.

The automatic transmission control center is the engine control module. Modern modules have a volume of more than 2 megabytes of digital memory and operate with the frequency of clocks up to 160 MHz. At the same time, programs are used to 300 thousand rows of code.

Standardization

When developing modern digital programs for cars, the specificity of the necessary ECU is unambiguously taken into account: software directly interacts with certain equipment. Thanks to the constant increase in the number of automotive ECU, the secondary use of software becomes priority. Therefore, in such a situation it is appropriate to talk about standardization.

In 2003, suppliers and manufacturers created AUTOMOTIVE OPEN SYSTEM Architecture (Autosar). The purpose of creating an organization is to fulfill the overall standard and unified technologies. Today, this association covers over 150 organizations with which the new ECU structure is being developed, the basic software and everything you need to create a working software.

This kind of interaction involves the creation of nodes that do not depend on the equipment. This makes it possible to suppliers and manufacturers to exchange developments, as well as use them re-on various ECUs.

The Autosar structure consists of several abstract levels in which the software is separated from the hardware. At the very top there is an applied software that implements all applied activities. The following is the basic, nominal software. It guarantees the desired abstraction from hardware in the same way as it happens, for example, in a personal computer. AUTOSAR RUNTIME ENVIRONMENT (real-time execution environment) communicates within the ECU.

Autosar technology contains all the necessary exchange formats and templates that are used both to generate and configure the infrastructure and for its description.

The most common in modern automotive are tires (high-speed) Ethernet. They reliably support links between ECUs, as well as new options, including security.

The most diverse information is qualitatively analyzed in order to create an objective environmental environment, which allows you to form new options that support the driver in extreme cases.

For example, the driver was distracted by the passenger during the following. In this case, the application determines the braking of the moving ahead of the car, then warns the driver or independently includes braking. By the way, the driver may not even immediately know about the presence of such software until it turns out to be in a dangerous position.

Conclusion

In modern automotive, today there are prerequisites for the next scientific and technical revolution in the development of programs, because digital technology and consumer electronics capabilities are more widely begin. Not far from the mountain is the time when cars will start connecting to the Internet through all stationary and mobile devices. And at the same time will increase the role of free software for solving practical problems.

5 Lyfhakov for the car - in video:

Any electronic car unit is connected to a diagnostic bus - a digital line that allows onboard electronics to interact with diagnostic equipment. Here the first problem lies: although theoretically, there is a single OBD-II standard, the standardizing method of communication with the ECU and the type of connector is distributed only on the injection system. "Reach" to blocks ABS SRS and so on through the protocol OBD- II can not.But in the injection systems, the error codes and the status data encoding are often used in the injection systems: when diagnosing an absolutely serviceable car, you can see the data that is incompatible with reality.

What tasks do the diagnostic scanner? They are much larger than it is customary to think.

• Read current and saved data. The most primitive devices are able to read only the saved and current errors, but for diagnostic purposes, such things are almost useless: without possible, it is correctly considered the current data (air flow, the degree of opening of the throttle, the stress of the lambda probes) is rather a toy than the real tool.
• Test executive mechanisms. Depending on the degree of integration of the on-board electronics, it is possible to check the goodness of the set of electromechanical nodes: from the inclusion of the fuel pump prior to the test of janits (if the controller is controlled by the motor, naturally).
• Adaptation of sensors and actuators. A number of complex nodes require forced negotiation with the ECU: setting the zero position of the choke valve servo, the task of the debit of piezo-formo on the Diesels of Common Rail and so on.
• Change configuration. Most blocks are universal for the entire car family, and they set a configuration corresponding to a specific configuration (for example, the number and location of pillows is written to the airbag controller). The simplest examples of reconfiguration - change the dashboard language, activation of the on-board computer, disconnecting faulty airbags.

In the ranking of the best we tried to take into account both available simple autoskners, usually purchased by car owners for our own use and professional equipment. The only exception is dealer scanners intended for specific car brands: the price of such complexes is several hundred thousand rubles, and there are no cheap Chinese clones in the wide sale of dealership equipment.

The most important thing in the diagnosis of the car is not "troubleshooting" of the device, but the professionalism of a person who uses it. Therefore, buying a diagnostic scanner in personal use, it is worth thinking - will this be worthwhile money, and is it better to contact a real diagnostic?

In the century of high technological ideas there is nothing surprising that various smart programs are constantly published, able to help a person in his work related to various areas of activity. Not exception has become the path of motorists drivers for whom useful utilities were invented. It is noteworthy that the usual smartphone today is able to replace the experienced adviser, and free programs for and various services will help in creating important notes, optimizing expenses, etc.

On the video, it is told how to use a tablet or phone in the car:

Computers, laptops, smartphones and useful programs for them

People ten years ago only dreamed of such an opportunity, how to have a computer in a car. At that time, imagine a smart apparatus making almost half of the work instead of the driver, it was possible, but it was most like a fantastic film. The then motorists were not good, that the smart computer is able to navigate through special programs, independently check the motor through the OBD2 connector, monitor and even lead a special diary, where all drivers' arrows are indicated.

Initially, the role of such an assistant was performed bulky computers, then laptops are lungs and productive. But these digital helpers have become unnecessary with the release of smartphones and tablets.

To date, smartphones and tablets with programs for motorists are the same ordinary objects as or. Simultaneously with the extensive market of convenient mobile devices, other segments were developed, no less important and intended for the owners of Iron Horses - various useful applications for motorists, so-called online programs. In our age, despite the mass of the useful functions that the car supplies manufacturers, mobile programs and online services are needed as never. We tried to choose the most useful and necessary tools for the motorist in this article, without paying attention to various paid and free navigation applications and programs, as well as services that can solve complex tasks.

It is no secret that the car, especially in our country, was always difficult to contain. Yes, it is not a luxury, but a means of movement, but the phrase was invented by Americans who had a different look at things. In our country, sometimes your favorite "Iron horse" leaves more than on the subject of luxury. With such a unique situation, we, motorists, should be grateful to experts working in car services that pull and pull out of the wallet of the money that has fallen to them; Employees who have eaten the dog in the subject relating to the quality of gasoline and its additives, etc.

It would seem that you can follow all expenses, if you gather and start living, as a practical German. But it is not possible to remove each Russian and if it were not for useful applications and programs, like a discount of fuel costs or programs to assess the cost of ownership by car, there would be a tight to our drivers.

Fuelometers and useful sites

The video shows how to control fuel consumption with GPS GLONASS:

These programs are absolutely free and applied today to simple tools, saving the driver from stress and constant headaches. Instead of a motorist, they will monitor constant and give a report on the work done. Fuel Manager is just running enough by setting the checkpoint or refueling regularly to the full tank. You can do otherwise. Make the moment when the light lights up, indicating that the fuel on the outcome.

Fuel Manager is not the only one program. Another, no less popular application is a "fuelometer", which is designed to calculate the average consumption based on any indicators. In addition, the program maintains information about the consumed fuel, it allows you to simultaneously establish a reminder - a utility that is tied to the cargo of the car. For example, in this way it will be possible to program a reminder that it's time to replace the oil, because the car "put up" is already 10 thousand km.

Other programs, compared to simple fueluers, are characterized by a set of high functions. For example, such popular programs as "My Machine" or Beeppster are already intended for integrated accounting costs associated with periodic service and. These programs also enable reminders. The main task of such digital record books is the calculation of the conditional value of 1 km of way. In addition, these programs resemble the driver about important service procedures, such as or brake pads.

Video review of Fuel Manager Applications:

Mobile utilities are attached to web servers to facilitate car service. In particular, such a server, like DriverNotes.net, provides an opportunity, in addition to basic functions, to obtain data on the cost of maintaining a certain car model by all owners, which is useful in the process.

Another site, called Cars.Auto.ru, will help to find a quickly any ad about selling or buying a car. Access to this service program driver gets both through a browser and through a mobile application. The ads are very easy to search, because they open, if you type the brand in the search, year of release or other parameters. The site also makes it possible to get the contacts of the owner or client.

The popular and promotion portal AVITO.ru, instantly and teleportation method, as the advertising video shows, among other things, it proposes to conduct sellers / buyers. Interestingly, this resource has a very convenient mobile program for Android.

Another service is called "From hand to hand" and also has its representative in Mobile Google Play programs.

It is noteworthy that a person when searching for cars is not needed to contact several sites. It is enough to use the services of some aggregator, for example, such as auto.yandex.ru. This resource offers, in addition to the client program, is also canceled optimized mobile version of the site. "Iron horses" here can be selected in various parameters, including so ambiguous as "family car for country walks". And that is not all. The service makes it possible to track price changes. By the way, similar to this site bezrulya.ru differs from the analogs also and convenient features, auto models.

If earlier it was in fashion to communicate with friends via SMS messages, today it is in the past. Social networks and special programs allow you to do it much faster and get more comfort.

Interestingly, at the same time applications were popular, which contained a large number of so-called useful points. They were displayed on the map, and they were not only related to the points of tires, car services, but also bistro, hotels and even the sights of a certain city or country. Today, such information has moved on the pages of navigation programs, such as Yandex. Useful in this regard and Google, and the same "urban guide", and other programs.

Video review of a useful application for motorists - "Parking":

I would like to note that the "mansion" still holds the services that allow you to find not only the nearest refueling, but also their fuel prices. One of these programs that are respected among motorists is "multitolid". This service is a search interface, as well as a refueling card, which is periodically updated by the gas station base. This includes information about the availability of toilets, cafes, etc. The data can be updated with users of the portal Multigo.ru. Here you can not only receive the necessary information, but also make changes through the application if you register as a user.

Show your location on the map too. This is a special service Google Plus. It allows you to attach in such social networks as Facebook and Vkontakte, location tags to photos or publications. Although it does not only do it.

There are special services that display the driver coordinates or even its route in Live mode. Such services can be attributed to the free Glympse program. The program will allow you to open your location at a certain period of time, for example, as long as you get to the meeting place. This is done by sending a friend or a familiar link, passing on which you can see your location or route on the map.

It is worth noting that some important things are better to bind not to a certain time, but to a certain point in space. For example, driving next to the store, you need to not forget to buy bread. So the peculiar "reminder" is connected when the car passes by the store. Most mobile programs contain a lot of useful options for which the reminder by location is the only target function. Although there are more complex applications, such as "reminding card". The program is absolutely free and allows, in addition to creating and storing notes, download the concomitant card to the phone.

Different planners can be attributed to the same programs. For example, Remember The Milk has a reminder. But to use it, you will have to connect to the paid version of the product.

As for online cards, they can be used to diagnose road status. For many drivers it is not a secret for a long time that they commemorate every minute while driving on Russian roads to ruin the suspension of their car. Road services themselves to notify the driver promptly about the road occurrences arising in different places do not have time or do not want. But the service "Rosyam" will not give the time of time to relax, because on this portal you can always leave a statement about problems on. It will be enough to upload the sizes of the pit, coordinates and photos. It is a pity that the service does not have this mobile customer.

Almost all services that help look for a parking space should be attributed to the tools that take the basis of GPS methods. But in many megalopolis and major cities of Russia for incorrectly parked car and the shortage of free seats, this problem is translated into the discharge of global. It was to solve such a task that a program called "Parking of Moscow" was invented.

Video review of Mobile Application "Parking Moscow":

As for other cities, they can use schemes given on OpenStreetMap cards or other cartographic portals. There are also special bases such as Parkopedia, where there are client applications for almost all mobile platforms.

PDD fines and handbook in digital version

Special attention deserves a program called "2014". It is specifically designed for those drivers who weakly know the rules of traffic rules. And honestly, who today knows them? The experience of driving our motorist is not on the knowledge of the rules of the road, but in the practice of the passage of certain situations. In other words, everyone knows that it is impossible to pass on "Red Light". But what a fine for it will have to pay, knows one or two percent of drivers.

If earlier drivers acquired new versions from periodically on paper carriers and kept all this waste paper in the glove compartment, and without the fact that some models of the car, then the program itself will automatically download updates. In addition to the "PDD 2014 PDD 2014" program, similar actions also executes the program "PDD Handbook".

Now about those options that are known. So, it turns out, now it is not necessary to buy it to record a road situation. All functions of the most steep video recorder can perform a free program installed on a regular smartphone. Yes, do not be surprised! To such applications, for example, Dailyroads Voyager can be attributed. Like the standard video recorder, this option will allow you to record rollers in cyclic order. And as the memory is filling out, previous video files are automatically erased. That's all things.

In case of accident

The program called "Memo with an accident" will help and non-standard situations that can occur on the road. This program provides useful recommendations for what to do the driver in a particular case. But unfortunately, except for the councils, although sensible, the utility will not be able to help any other utility. So no one has canceled a safe manner of ride.