What is Embedded Software? | Siemens Software
In automotive electronics, complex real-time interactions occur across multiple embedded systems that each control functions such as braking, steering, suspension, powertrain, etc. The physical housing that contains each embedded system is referred to as an electronic control unit (ECU). Each ECU and its embedded software is part of a complex electrical architecture known as a distributed system.
By communicating with each other, the ECUs that make up a vehicle’s distributed system can execute a variety of functions like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, stability control, adaptive headlights, and much more. A single function might need interactions across 20 or more embedded software applications spread across numerous ECUs connected by multiple networking protocols. Complex control algorithms deployed with the embedded software ensure the proper timing of functions, needed inputs and outputs, and data security.
Common examples of automotive software application-based features include:
- ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, traffic-assist, lane-departure warnings
- Battery management
- Torque compensation
- Fuel injection rate control
