A Course Presentation

on

Basics of Automotive Electronics

By

Pramod Sonawane
Assistant Professor
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Nigdi, Pune

1/8/2025 1
Teaching and Examination scheme

1/8/2025 2
FA1 – MCQ Quiz on Unit 1 & Unit 2 (20M)
FA2- Open Book Test on Unit 3& 4 (20M)
Unitwise
Weightage FA1 FA2 SA total
Unit 1 10 7 17
Unit 2 10 7 17
Unit 3 10 6 16
Unit 4 10 6 16
Unit 5 17 17
Unit 6 17 17
100

1/8/2025 3
 Course Outcomes

1. To apply the concept of electronics systems in automotive applications.

2. To explore different sensors and actuators.
3. Illustrate vehicle motion control systems.
4. Understand algorithms used in Engine Control System.
5. Describe the role of electronics in Active and passive safety systems.
6. Make use of automotive components, subsystems, and basics of Electronic
Engine Control in the automotive industry

1/8/2025 4
Unit 1: Automotive Systems Overview

1. Automotive vehicle technology,

2. Present trends in automobiles with an emphasis on the
increasing role of electronics and software,
3. Overview of typical automotive subsystems
4. Components, Body, Chassis, and Powertrain Electronics

1/8/2025 5
 Text Books:

1. William B. Ribbens, “Understanding Automotive Electronics- An

Engineering Perspective”, 7th edition, Butterworth-Heinemann
Publications, 2017.
2. Ronald K. Jurgen, “Automotive Electronics Handbook”, Mc-Graw Hill,
1999
3. oliverscheid , “Autosar Compendium, Part 1: Application & RTE”,
Create Space Independent Publishing Platform,2015

1/8/2025 6
1/8/2025 7
1/8/2025 8
 Early applications for electronics in automotive

1. Electronic engine control for minimizing exhaust emissions and

maximizing fuel economy
2. Instrumentation for measuring vehicle performance parameters and for
diagnosis of on-board system malfunctions
3. Driveline control
4. Vehicle motion control
5. Safety and convenience
6. Entertainment/communication/navigation

1/8/2025 9
 System of automobiles

1/8/2025 10
automotive electronics is now estimate to account for 10% to 25%
of the cost of the vehicle, depending on feature content.

1/8/2025 11
 Key automotive subsystems
A. Powertrain System
•Engine: Types (internal combustion, electric, hybrid), basic operation, and
advancements like turbocharging.
•Transmission: Manual, automatic, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission),
and dual-clutch systems.
•Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive.
B. Chassis System
•Suspension: Types (independent, dependent), role in ride comfort and handling.
•Steering System: Manual vs. power steering, electric power-assisted steering
(EPAS).
•Braking System: Hydraulic brakes, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System),
regenerative braking in EVs.
•Wheels and Tires: Types, importance in traction, and handling.

1/8/2025 12
C. Electrical and Electronic Systems
•Battery System: Types (lead-acid, lithium-ion for EVs), functions, and
maintenance.
•Starter and Charging Systems: Role of alternators and starters.
•Lighting and Signaling: Headlights, taillights, indicators, and adaptive lighting
systems.
•Infotainment and Telematics: Navigation, entertainment, and connected car
features.
D. Body Electronics
•Climate Control: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
•Safety Systems: Airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, electronic stability control
(ESC).
•Door, Window, and Wiper Controls: Automated and manual mechanisms.

1/8/2025 13
E. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
•Overview of subsystems like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and
parking assist.
•Importance in safety and the transition towards autonomous driving.
F. Fuel and Exhaust Systems
•Fuel delivery systems (fuel pumps, injectors).
•Exhaust systems, catalytic converters, and emission control technologies.

1/8/2025 14
✓Modern automotive electronics were first applied to control the engine
in order to reduce exhaust emissions and somewhat later to improve fuel
economy.

The Engine: The engine in an automobile provides all the power for
moving the automobile, for the hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and for
the electrical system.

1/8/2025 15
The major categories of automotive electronic systems
electronic systems function to control, measure, or communicate.
1. Engine/power train control
2. Ride/handling control
3. Cruise control
4. Braking/traction control
5. Instrumentation (instrument panel)
6. Power steering control
7. Occupant protection
8. Entertainment
9. Comfort control
10. Cellular phones

1/8/2025 16
 Modern automotive electronic systems
1) Advance Driver assist System
2) Automatic Emergency Braking
3) Connected Mobile Apps
4) Exit Warning to protect cyclists
5) Wireless smartphones Charging and Connectivity
6) 360 degree Camera
7) Video Rearview Mirror
8) Blindspot View Monitor

1/8/2025 17
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Are technologies that use sensors and cameras to help drivers operate a vehicle
safely. ADAS can provide active safety information, driving interventions, and
parking assistance. Some examples of ADAS features include:
•Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
Uses sensors to monitor the distance and speed of vehicles ahead, and
automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a preset gap. ACC can be
especially helpful on the highway

1/8/2025 18
1/8/2025 19
1/8/2025 20
1/8/2025 21
Present trends in automobiles with emphasis on increasing role of
electronics and software

1. ADAS and AV

1/8/2025 22
1. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and
Autonomous Vehicle (AV) functionality enables Vision
Zero, the multi-national project to reduce the number of
fatalities and serious injuries caused by road traffic to
zero.
2. As the level of autonomy evolves, the number of sensors in
a car will increase to over 30, including forward-, rear-
and side-facing cameras and forward-looking RADAR
and LiDAR.

1/8/2025 23
Camera Module:
Camera modules are key components in many Advanced
Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS).
They provide clear views of a vehicle’s surroundings to enable
autonomous driving and improve the safety of the vehicle and
the people in it.
Systems that use camera modules include lane departure,
parking assist, blind-side detection, pedestrian detection
and adaptive cruise control.

1/8/2025 24
Central Compute Application
The High-Performance Computer (HPC) is the center of the
zonal Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture being implemented
in next-generation cars. It enables central hosting of a vehicle’s
functions leading to the standardization of components and
functions. The vehicle’s computer, which acts as a server,
allows additional functions from different sources to be
installed over the air after the vehicle leaves the production
line.

1/8/2025 25
1/8/2025 26
LiDAR Module Application
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a distance measurement
methodology that uses pulsed laser light reflection to make three-
dimensional images of a target. LiDAR is one of the key sensing
technologies used for detecting objects and determining distances in
autonomous driving systems.

1/8/2025 27
Radar Module Application
Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) is a distance
measurement methodology that emits radio waves and
processes their reflections to make three-dimensional images of
a target. It is one of the key sensing technologies used for
detecting objects and determining distances in autonomous
driving systems.

1/8/2025 28
Body Electronics
Body electronics systems define the way drivers interact with
their vehicles.

1/8/2025 29
Heated and Cooled Seats
Application

Heated and cooled seats provide comfort to occupants

throughout the vehicle during inclement weather. Heating
elements placed in the seats deliver warmth, and fans that
circulate air throughout the seating material provide passive
cooling.
Heating elements and cooling fans are driven by MOSFETs that
are managed by an MCU and the control signals are provided
by the LIN bus

1/8/2025 30
1/8/2025 31
HVAC control
1. An HVAC control system regulates the heating,
cooling, ventilation and humidity inside a
vehicle.
2. The HVAC control module monitors inputs from
sensors and switches to drive the HVAC blower
motor and flaps to adjust the interior climate and
keep passengers comfortable.

1/8/2025 32
HVAC Control Interactive Block Diagram

1/8/2025 33
Powertrain Subsystem
The system is designed to propel the vehicle
forward.
In a car, a powertrain consists of the engine or
motor and its internal components, such as the
energy storage system, transmission and driveshaft.

1/8/2025 34
Electric Powertrain Systems

1/8/2025 35
Since electric vehicles have an electric motor and a
battery instead of a combustion engine and a fuel tank, the
architecture becomes simple and controllable at the
component level.

1/8/2025 36
Battery Management System
1. A Battery Management System (BMS), which manages
the electronics of a rechargeable battery, whether a cell or
a battery pack, thus becomes a crucial factor in ensuring
electric vehicle safety.
2. It safeguards both the user and the battery by ensuring
that the cell operates within its safe operating parameters.
3. BMS monitors the State Of Health (SOH) of the battery,
collects data, controls environmental factors that affect
the cell, and balances them to ensure the same voltage
across cells.

1/8/2025 37
1/8/2025 38
 Functions of the BMS
Fitting an EV with a BMS can improve safety. The battery management
system performs the following four functions:
1. Monitoring battery parameters
•Voltage—indicates a cell’s total voltage, the battery’s combined voltage,
maximum and minimum cell voltages, and so on.
•Temperature—displays the average cell temperature, coolant intake and
output temperatures, and the overall battery temperature.
•The state of charge of the cell to show the battery’s charge level.
•The cell’s state of health—shows the remaining battery capacity as a
percentage of the original capacity.
•The cell’s state of power——shows the amount of power available for a
certain duration given the current usage, temperature, and other factors.

1/8/2025 39
•The cell’s state of safety——determined by keeping a
collective eye on all the parameters and determining if using
the cell poses any danger.
•The flow of coolant and its speed.
•The flow of current into and out of the cell

1/8/2025 40
2. Managing thermal temperatures
Temperature is the biggest factor affecting a battery.
The battery’s thermal management system keeps an eye on
and controls the temperature of the battery.
These systems can either be passive or active, and the
cooling medium can either be a non-corrosive liquid, air, or
some form of phase change.
Using air as a coolant is the simplest way to control battery
temperatures.

1/8/2025 41
3. Making key calculations
A BMS calculates various battery values based on parameters such as
maximum charge and discharge current to determine the cell’s charge and
the discharge current limits. These include:
•The energy in kilowatt-hour(s) (kWh) delivered since the last charge
cycle
•The internal impedance of a battery to measure the cell’s open-circuit
voltage
•Charge in Ampere per hour (Ah) delivered or contained in a cell (called
the Coulomb counter), to determine the cell’s efficiency
•Total energy delivered and operating time since the battery started being
used

1/8/2025 42
4. Facilitating internal and external communication
A BMS has controllers that communicate internally with the hardware at
a cellular level and externally with connected devices. These external
communications differ in complexity, depending on the connected device.
This communication is often through a centralized controller, and it can
be done using several methods, including:
•Different types of serial communications
•CAN bus communicators, often used in vehicles
•DC-BUS communications, which are serial communications over power
lines
•Various types of wireless communication including radio, pagers,
cellphones, and so on.

1/8/2025 43
On Board Charger
The On-board charger (OBC) is the device in the car which
re-charges the high-voltage battery in a plug-in vehicle
(PHEV) or battery-powered electrical car (EV) directly from
the grid while the car is parked and connected to a charging
station/pile.

1/8/2025 44
The main difference between a traction inverter and an auxiliary
inverter in an electric vehicle (EV) is their function:
•Traction inverter
•Drives the motor by converting the battery's high DC voltage into a
variable frequency AC voltage. Traction inverters are a vital part of an
EV's drive train and can affect its energy efficiency and safety.
•Auxiliary inverter
•Converts the battery's DC power into AC power to supply the
motor. Auxiliary inverters are made up of an inverter bridge and
control logic.

1/8/2025 45
 THANK YOU

1/8/2025 46