Futuristic silver car driving on a road with an overlay of digital circuit lines and highlighted zone control units. A cloud icon above the car symbolizes connectivity and cloud integration for advanced vehicle functions.

Zone control units

New ECU platform for server-zone vehicle architectures.

We are successfully driving forward the implementation of server-zone architectures in vehicles.

The pioneering development and delivery of high-performance computers (HPC) is now followed by so-called zone control units (ZCU), which are another key component for the software-defined vehicle.

Zone control units reduce vehicle network complexity as well as costs by supporting centralized architectures and the increasing separation of software and hardware. Additionally, they are a prerequisite for continuous updates, improvements and function deployment services to support the transformation towards the software-defined vehicle.

Zone control units for greater efficiency

Where individual functions or functional areas were previously integrated into the vehicle in individual control units, new thinking is now being applied. The new zone control units consolidate vehicle functions in physical zones close to the sensors and actuators and form the middle layer between the server level of the HPCs and the individual sensors and actuators "on site“. This ensures intelligent task distribution between all levels.
Top-down view of a transparent car showing zonal architecture layout. Four zone control units are placed near each wheel, connected to a central high-performance computer. Red glowing lines represent data and power connections between zones.
Illustration of a transparent car model with traditional wiring layout and multiple electronic control units highlighted in pink. Text reads “Classical Vehicle Architecture,” showing conventional distributed automotive electronics design.
Transparent side view of a car illustrating zonal architecture. Multiple electronic control units are positioned near the wheels and connected to a central high-performance computer via highlighted wiring paths. Red glowing zones indicate the location of 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

Close-up exploded view of an automotive electronic control unit (ECU). The image shows the black plastic housing separated from the green printed circuit board with visible microchips and electronic components.
  • 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

Scalable and modular solution

Our ZCU platform is scalable and modular to give vehicle manufacturers maximum flexibility in designing vehicle architectures. Full integration is possible for hardware, software (services) and 3rd party functions. 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. Our platform for zone control units thus helps to optimize costs and development time.
Graphic showing three modular Zone Control Units (ZCU) in different sizes on a dark circuit board background. Text reads “Scalability” and “Modular and scalable ZCU platform solution to enable fast adaptions,” illustrating flexible automotive electronics architecture.
Infographic showing the Zone Control Unit (ZCU) platform with standardized hardware and software modules. Includes puzzle-shaped icons representing software elements like Digital Access, PASE, CDL, Light, and SPD, as well as infrastructure functions such as Time Synchronization, Power Management, Routing, Smart Power Distribution, Diagnosis, and Voltage Management. Hardware components include various drivers (CAN, LIN, ETH, LF, HSD, LSD) and smart fuse. Right section highlights benefits of standardized platform elements: high quality, scalability, modularity, and easy integration.
  • Modular and scalable ZCU platform solution to enable fast adaptions
  • ZCU platform provides a flexible integration base open for our own 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

Smart power distribution

The server-zone architecture and new smart fuse components allow a new decentralized power distribution in the vehicle architecture. Thus, the zone control unit can also supply power to the control units as well as sensors and actuators in the proximity.
Diagram of a vehicle with highlighted orange wiring and multiple Zone Control Units connected to a central high-performance computer. Text reads “Smart Power Distribution,” representing advanced zonal architecture for efficient power management.

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.
  • 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
Vehicle diagram with red and blue wiring paths for power distribution, connected to Zone Control Units and a central computer. Text reads “Smart Power Distribution” and includes labels for 12V battery and optional high-voltage redundant supply.

Why choose us?

Our zone control units help unlock the full potential of the software-defined vehicle as more complex software functions are continuously introduced. Why are we your partner of choice?
  • Full x-Domain provider for all hardware and software elements of server-zone architecture
  • Market leader for body and 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
Futuristic car on a road with transparent body overlays showing internal electronic architecture. Color-coded zones highlight Zone Control Units and wiring for advanced zonal vehicle design and connectivity.

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