Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...

The new BMW 7 Series saw the global debut of ECUs with AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture) in
series production.
AI: How will the standardized application interfaces of
R4.0 help software designers in terms of time-to-market?
Fürst: Efforts have been focused on interface specification of
well established applications in order to emphasize software reuse
and exchange, which is considered one of the main requirements
of AUTOSAR. These standardized interfaces allow software
designers and implementers to expand and further simplify the
re-use of application software independent of a specific hardware
or ECU.
AI: Tell us about the validation process of Release 4.0 and
how it is different from R3.0.
Fürst: As the high quality of Release 4.0 should be
guaranteed from the very beginning, AUTOSAR conducted an
intense validation process. In previous releases, the specifications
out of one development were validated on hardware platforms,
but the results of the validation of Release 4.0 have mainly been
incorporated into the standard before its release. For the first time,
the Development Partnership has also realized the validation of
methodology and templates, confirming their high quality. The
validation of methodology is based on the new release, whereas
the validation of templates is partly based on Release 3.0 due to
tool availability.
AI: Will R 4.0 be completely backwards compatible? If so,
what were the challenges AUTOSAR faced in providing this
compatibility?
Fürst: Release 4.0 is the baseline for all further developments
in AUTOSAR Phase III, which will be driven by market needs and
new technologies. New or extended features will be introduced
selectively during the next few years and will always have to
follow the rules of backwards compatibility. This will ensure that
application software being developed for previous releases can
easily be reused.
AI: With AUTOSAR currently in Phase III, give us your
predictions of the role of automotive electronics in the
market and how they will change the face of the industry.
Fürst: Today, the key factor for the development of the
automobile is the progress and improvement of standardized
electronic systems and electronic networks. In Phase III we will
focus on maintaining the existing releases and on enhancing
existing functionality selectively. Also the market situation will
influence the trends and technology specified by AUTOSAR.
The migration plans of the AUTOSAR core partners and
members are proof that AUTOSAR will become the standard for
E/E systems in the automotive domain. AI
“
Today the key factor for the development of the automobile is the progress
and improvement of standardized electronic systems and electronic networks.
”
- Simon Fürst, spokesperson of the AUTOSAR Development Partnership.
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