The Connected Car

Brendan Jackman
5 ECTS
-
English

# The Connected Car

# Overview

# Contents

In this module you will learn all about the most widely used network protocols in today’s vehicles, such as:

  • A simple, low cost, single-wire protocol used to connect switches and motors to systems such as climate control and electric windows (the LIN bus).
  • The most popular vehicle network and its various modern derivatives, used for real-time control systems and vehicle diagnostics (the CAN bus and CAN-FD).
  • A robust, safety-critical network protocol used for drive-by-wire applications (FlexRay)
  • A fast, high bandwidth protocol used for advanced driver assistance systems, multimedia, service-oriented applications and remote diagnostics (Automotive Ethernet).

You will learn how to use the standard automotive industry Vector CANoe application to simulate, analyse and test the various vehicle network protocols. A fully operational demo version of CANoe is available for use on this module.

# Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:

  • Distinguish the characteristics of the different network protocols.
  • Compare and contrast common automotive protocols.
  • Formulate application networking requirements.
  • Design gateway network protocols.
  • Evaluate security requirements for a connected vehicle.
  • Set up and appraise industry standard network development and testing tools.

# Methods

  • Combination of lectures and laboratory-based practicals.
  • Self-directed learning.
Type Effort [h]
Independent Learning 87
Practical 24
Lectures 24

# Assessment

The grade is comprised of a main assignment (70%) and a minor assignment (30%), which is typically an essay or a research report investigating some protocol in more detail.

# Example Assignment

Implement a CAN network on the Vector CANoe simulator software to test a car climate control system according to a given interface description.

# Methods

Type Points/Percent
Continuous Assessment
Assignment 30%
Assignment 70%

# Criteria

Grade (Description) Percentage
Inability to specify a coherent network design. < 40%
Able to describe the basic network design concepts. 40%–49%
All the above and in addition is able demonstrate a technical understanding of the common automotive network protocols. 50%–59%
In addition, is able to develop and test a network using two or more protocols connected with a gateway. 60%–69%
All of the above and able to debug network issues at a low level. 70%–100%

# Requirements

# Skills

  • No Prerequisites

# Equipment

# Enrollment

Participation is free of charge. Student of partner universities can send applications to participate in courses.

#University

# South East Technological University

Image of illuminated SETU University Building

South East Technological University (SETU, formerly Waterford Institute of Technology) is a university-level institution in the South-East of Ireland with over 10,000 students and 1,000 staff.

SETU offers tuition and research programmes in various areas from Higher Certificate to Degree to PhD.

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# Lecturers

Brendan Jackman
Portrait of Brendan Jackman

# Brendan Jackman

Brendan Jackman has over three decades’ experience in the development, teaching and research of embedded systems. Since joining Waterford Institute of Technology in 1991 Brendan has founded the Automotive Control Group to research the use of software and networks in vehicles. He is also responsible for curriculum development on the undergraduate Automotive & Automation computing programme and the Internet of Things programme.

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