Continental: Powertrain ECU with two LIN ports

Continental equips all Mercedes E-class models with its EMS3 platform ECUs. The unit features two LIN ports, five CAN interfaces, and one Flexray channel.

(Photo: Continental)

Daimler has selected for its next Mercedes E-class generation Continental’s Engine Management System 3 (EMS3) controllers. They are used in gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models. The ECU acts as a gateway in taking on the role of the drive's electronic control center. This control unit features a multicore processor. It is in charge of all communication between the powertrain's various control units – and it can also assume the control functions of other devices. This includes also two LIN interfaces.

“The central powertrain controller is the first control unit based on our newly developed EMS3 platform. It has been custom-made to meet the future requirements of electrified and interconnected powertrains. We are glad that Mercedes was so impressed with this new technology that they incorporated it into the new E-Class. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this show of trust and the good cooperation,” said Wolfgang Breuer, Head of the Engine Systems Business Unit at the Continental Powertrain Division.

The launch of the central powertrain controller (CPC) performs its function as a communication center for the individual control units in real-time. The hardware is based for the first time on a multicore architecture with three cores inclusive monitoring core. This ensures that the high safety requirements of ISO 26262 can be met. Due to the multicore architecture, the CPC can also take on further functions in addition to its role as a gateway. “This gives the automotive manufacturer completely new opportunities in distributing powertrain functions over several control units,” said Breuer. The CPC software is Autosar 4 compliant. The open software architecture simplifies the integration of external software; in many cases existing subsystems can continue to be used seamlessly.

The ECU platform has been designed with future requirements in mind. In electrified drives, EMS3 allows the integration of efficiency-enhancing functions such as the forecast-based “connected Energy Management” (cEM), which works with cloud-based data. This data is delivered, for example, by the Continental system eHorizon (electronic horizon), which creates a three-dimensional profile of the route. The control unit then identifies in advance the sections of the route where energy can be gained and how this energy can be used most profitably. For example, it can inform the driver of upcoming stoppages in good time in order to ensure optimum regeneration.

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