Zone Control Units

Zone Control Units take over the role as a communication gateway, provide smart power distribution and ensure the reliable execution x-Domain real-time vehicle functions, such as audio, external sound, parking assistance, air condition or suspension.

 

Each Zone Control Unit (ZCU) bundles all functions in a local sub-area of the vehicle. For example, ZCUs are responsible for all control, service and data management tasks in that particular area at the front right or left, or in the rear of the vehicle. This optimizes cables between ZCUs and electronic components. The few ZCUs are each connected to the responsible HPC by a high-performance link, like Ethernet. The result is an architecture that reduces complexity while saving weight and thus CO².

ZCU Key Features
 

• Main ECU of a physical vehicle zone, located near the sensors/actuators and peripheral devices
• Local gateway within a physical zone with Ethernet backbone connection to vehicle server (HPC)
• ​Hub for x-Domain zonal management of signals, data and power​
• Ability to support service-oriented architecture with services for standardized input/output controls ​
• Ability to host critical x-Domain real-time functions ​​
• Controls power supply in the zone (Smart Power Distribution/ SPD) including electronic fusing, diagnosis and recovery
• Classic AUTOSAR based Operating System (OS)​​
• Usage of single- or multicore microcontrollers

The modular design of the platform gives you the freedom to optimally adapt the respective ZCU to the specific requirements of an application. Since proven application software can be reused in new vehicle models, the validation effort is reduced and development is accelerated - the time to market is shorter. The Continental platform for Zone Control Units thus helps to optimize costs and development time.
 

• Modular and scalable ZCU platform solution to enable fast adaptions
• ZCU platform provides a flexible integration base open for Continental's function library as well as 3rd party software
• Scalable mechanical concept and different connector types
• Enhanced backbone scalability with different microcontroller families from low to superior performance
• Flexible solutions for bus systems and smart power distribution
• Platform solution addresses safety levels up to ASIL C and in future ASIL D

The Zone Control Unit provides a controlled power supply for the control units, sensors and actuators in the respective zone. It controls power consumption decentrally in the zone and improves power monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. A ZCU enables software-controlled power distribution and, for example, distributes power according to the priority of the loads. It also reduces the length, diameter and complexity of the wiring harness. An optional redundant power supply to cover safety requirements can also be realized.

Advantages
 

• Multiple diagnostics
• Auto-protection against over current, voltage, temperature
• Reactivation in case of a failure possible
• Control of electrical parameters (current, voltage, temperature)
• Smaller wire diameter (switch off characteristic can be adjusted)
• Predictive load balancing (temporary switch off of loads for compensation of other loads; safety vs. comfort)
• Monitor the parameter of the power stages for usage in a central energy management
• Control software can be integrated in the microcontrollers of the ZCU variants

• Full x-Domain provider for all hardware and software elements of server-zone architecture
• Market leader for body & network electronics with years of experience in all markets
• Full capabilities in architecture definition and system integration
• Modular and scalable ZCU platform solution to enable fast adaptions with limited effort
• Strong experience in seamlessly integrating 3rd party software into ZCUs
• Flexible business models from full system to hardware or application functions only