Electronic Control Unit — Carengineered.com

Introduction

Automobiles we use, whether the are small hatchback design, long sedan, huge SUV’s or fast as a sports car, are though classified as Automobiles, but the reality is that they are a combination of various technical departments, which incorporated Information Technology, Mechanical, Electronics, and Electrical with computer programming.

Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is thus the main mastermind, working at the backend allowing all the systems to work simultaneously to deliver the efficient working environment.

Hence, we can define ECU as a device which is responsible for the setting up, regulating and optimizing the car’s electronic system.

There are various types of Electronic Control Unit, each assigned for a specific system.

Engine Control Module (ECM)

This system in an automobile is used to configure the data from various sensors mounted in the engine bay.

Thus regulating the movement of the series of actuators which are responsible for various functions, such as air-fuel mixture, ignition timing, etc. for highly efficient and power optimized performance.

Transmission Control Module (TCM)

The Transmission Control Module works with the assistance of the Engine Control Module to gather the data from the various sensors, so that it could regulate the gear shifts, shift quality, and fuel economy.

Central Control Module (CCM)

The function of a Central Control Module is to distribute the power to various systems of comfort such as lights, windows, locks, doors, central locking, etc.

General Electronic Module (GEM)

The function of a General Electronic Module can be defined as a collective module for various other electric modules, that it can be easily traced and repair can be done to the modules incorporated into it.

Suspension Control Module (SCM)

It consist of a sensor which is employed in order to measure the bumps on the road and the vehicle movement, a controller that controls the damper movement in each wheel.

Brake Control Module (EBCM)

It consists of a microprocessor that keeps a self attest mechanism employed on the ABS system of a car and collects the data from the brake sensors and of each wheel and hydraulic brake system to interpret when to apply and how much to apply the brake pressure.

Central Timing Module (CTM)

Central Timing Module is used to energize or de-energize the inputs from the windshield wiper and washer controls, and wiper motor.

Body Control Module (BCM)

Body Control Module is usually used to control micro mirrors, power windows, air conditioner, etc.

Sub-Parts of Control Module

Microcontroller

Memory

• SRAM
• EPROOM
• Flash

Inputs

• Supply Voltage and Ground
• Digital
• Analog

Outputs

• Actuator Drivers
• H Bridge Drivers for Servo Motors
• Logic Outputs

Communication Links

• Housing
• Bus Transceivers
• Embedded Software

Boot Loader

• Metadata for software identification, version management, checksums
• Configurational Data
• Functional Software Routines

Originally published at https://www.carengineered.com on October 5, 2020.