An open software system for signal routing and processing in hybrid vehicles

In the present paper a software system for onboard processing of automotive data is proposed and described. The project of a system composed by some modules interacting on the basis of a producer-consumer paradigm is discussed. The modules run as separate processes on embedded systems based on Linux operating system. Peripherals and displays are also handled by the software. The producer side is represented by the processes which are in charge of receiving and decoding information coming from data links such as CAN, RS232 or ADC chips, forming a vector of physical quantities describing the status of the vehicle. The vector is placed in a shared memory segment, where the consumer processes can read and use it for their purposes. Consumer processes include graphical displays (virtual dashboard), data logger modules recording data on persistent memory devices, and transceiver modules sending information over wired or wireless channels. In order to achieve the best flexibility and reusability over a range of vehicle types, some of the modules are fully configurable by means of a specified configuration file stored on a permanent memory device. Configuration files report the information used to decode the incoming data from the devices through the data links, as well as the directives on how to display data on screen. Partial implementation is described in detail. Future application to real vehicle prototypes is briefly discussed.