Modern vehicles are very complex by incorporating various computational signals and critical information transactions. Electronic control units (ECUs) are embedded with various software functions, network information, sensor/actuator communication, and dedicated hardware. Altogether, the special hardware needs to be adaptable to the current needs of next-generation vehicles. This chapter will give a broad idea about modern automotive systems by considering various factors. Finding the best reconfigurable field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based hardware, intelligent assistance systems for drivers and various communication protocols are elaborated in this chapter. Moreover, it also provides the essential knowledge of IoT-based smart automotive systems along with its pros and cons. This chapter also gives the awareness and comparative study of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the present smart automotive systems. The overall observation of this chapter will satisfy the audience by knowing the reconfigurable FPGA, IoT, and artificial intelligence-based automotive systems.
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A few decades ago, an automobile was a vehicle with extreme mechanical assembly along with few electrical parts. Gradually most of the mechanical assembly parts are controlled by for electrical and electronics components. Micro-controller based functions were implemented to control fuel injection system, spark plug systems and engine mechanism. Improved micro code utilized to control and manages sensors and actuator signals along with Engine Management Units (EMU). Later safety related mechanism also embedded (Felix, 2010; Insop, Keith, Jason, Henrick, Tony, Howard, & Fakhreddine, 2006; Forest, Alberto, Audisio, Marco, Sangiovanni, & Marco, 2008) along with a micro controller. Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) assembly, Airbag lock assembly control, dedicated communication network, Real time observer like various addition features were incorporated along with software and hardware. Due to various limitations in standard hardware design it forces the technology to think about reconfigurable based designs.
Soft microprocessor FPGA which can be programmable as per the need of the real time situation and promises to overcome all contemporary issues. Apart from the FPGA reconfigurable hardware, the usage of Internet of Things (IoT) is also used in the smart automotive systems. IoT based next generation vehicle (Ulrich, Helmut, Daniel, & Stefan, 2012) promises to give more comfortable self-driving vehicles like autopilot, analyzing traffic jam and moving into the appropriate lane through smart devices and finally targets for driverless vehicle. Present development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique also helps to develop autonomous vehicles, navigating complex traffic situations, smart detection of pedestrian, other vehicles, road work and other obstacles. Thus, future automotive system requirement will be satisfied by using the reconfigurable FPGA, IoT and AI based design.