EMC: Creating a Lasting Influence
Anthony Martin and Alastair Ruddle from Horiba Mira discuss how to ensure the resilience of increasingly complex vehicle systems in their intended electromagnetic environments.
Back in 1998, the Volkswagen Golf Mark IV had just 17 Electronic Control Units (ECUs), two CAN networks, and 434 CAN signals. By 2010, the Golf Mark VI had ramped up to 49 ECUs, five CAN networks, and 6,516 CAN signals. Fast forward to today, and typical vehicle electrical systems now boast more than 60 main networked ECUs (CAN or FlexRay) with up to 20,000 CAN signals. This complexity surge over the past two decades has been driven by consumers’ craving for comfort and convenience and the auto industry’s push for greater market share through value, efficiency, and safety. However, this complexity will soon rise even more with the integration of new technologies.
The Move Toward Autonomy
Autonomous vehicles are a promising application for artificial intelligence and machine learning, and their arrival might be closer than we think. Advances in basic machine learning algorithms and the availability of high-quality data have accelerated this progress.
Modern autonomous vehicles use a mix of infrared sensors, LIDAR, 360° vision systems, and wireless connectivity, feeding machine learning algorithms with a wealth of information. Wireless technology, once considered a luxury, is now a staple in modern society. As costs decrease, these technologies are becoming standard in most new vehicles.
In recent years, there’s been a big jump in sales of internet-connected cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and Spark (OnStar), Audi A3 and Q5 (Audi Connect), and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (mbrace). This type of connectivity is expected to pave the way for the connected car and serve as the backbone for autonomous vehicles.
Fully autonomous vehicles, like Google’s Waymo, don’t solely rely on vehicle-to-vehicle or infrastructure communications (V2X). They use GPS satellites, onboard sensors, and detailed digital maps to navigate their surroundings. When V2X communication is implemented, it will provide additional data to support autonomous driving, potentially overcoming technical limitations. For example, GPS signals can be weak in tunnels or densely built areas. V2X communication, along with roadside beacons or nearby vehicles, can help provide supplementary location information.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
For EMC engineers, understanding the technology behind vehicle features and their associated risks is crucial for validating these systems. This requires advanced knowledge, new test methods, and risk mitigation strategies.
Automotive EMC has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1970s when it focused on radio reception issues caused by ignition system interference. Nowadays, EMC ensures not only the quality and user experience but also the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
Over the past 40 years, automotive EMC testing has evolved to include new techniques like the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), which reduced test times dramatically—from hours to seconds. National and international committees have also made EMC testing more precise and controlled, boosting confidence in testing methods and the reliability of results.
Modern vehicles are packed with sophisticated electrical systems, and ensuring their reliability and safety in varying electromagnetic environments remains a top priority for the industry.
