Management of Complex Automotive Communication Networks

Automakers are still facing an increasing complexity in vehicle requirements with regard to their EE systems. This complexity is not only caused by innovations, which are being provided for tomorrow´s drivers, but is also due to system requirements regarding EE architecture cost, managing software updates and diagnostics concepts. One way to conquer this challenge is the use of standards in the field of basic technology. Ongoing activities such as Autosar, FlexRay, HIS (Herstellerinitiative Software - OEM initiative software) and more, underline the car industry´s contribution to create and establish these standards. Another way - more linked to OEM´s internal processes - is to undertake a deeper analysis of architecture work. Here at first, a profound description is essential. This tool-based description is the basis for a more detailed analysis. Two options should be focussed upon: expert reviews and automatically calculated metrics in the tool, such as cost, weight or even more sophisticated metrics for feasability. With this technique, iteration by iteration the EE architecture reaches more profound stability and meets the functional and non-functional requirements far better