Latest Research Makes It Possible: Rapid Correction of Errors in Automobiles Thanks to DIANA Research Project

Neubiberg, Germany – August 5, 2013 – From 2015 onwards, the time that automobiles will need to spend in the repair shop could be significantly decreased. This will be possible thanks to joint research work undertaken by AUDI, Continental, Infineon Technologies and ZMDI. In the DIANA project, the companies have focused their research on ways of improving the analytical and diagnostic ability in electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles. In three years of research under Infineon’s leadership, methods have been created that enable more differentiated detection of errors and, in turn, make correction of these errors in the repair shop much faster. With the support of research institutions and universities, the way has been paved for the "End-to-end diagnostic capabilities in semiconductor components and higher-level systems for analyzing persistent and sporadic errors in automobiles" (German acronym that translates DIANA).

Vehicle electronics nowadays are extremely complex. On average a modern car makes use of 80 ECUs, and in premium class vehicles there could even be a hundred or more. Experience has shown that it is not possible to establish beyond doubt the precise cause behind many of the errors reported by the vehicle’s electronic system. Often the repair shop has no alternative but to try to narrow down the definition of the error by systematically replacing system components until, in this way, the error is ultimately remedied.

Thanks to the method elaborated in the DIANA project, in future electronic errors in automobiles will be identified much faster, meaning that they can be repaired more efficiently. The decisive factors behind this achievement are the methods of quality control deployed in semiconductor production. These methods have been further developed by the DIANA research partners so that the chips incorporated into automobiles can be directly used for the vehicle’s own diagnostic system. As a result, the ECUs in the vehicle can constantly monitor themselves both before and while the vehicle is driven. On the basis of these continuously gathered, self-diagnostic data, it is possible to detect errors at an early stage of development because the diagnostic data are passed on in pre-processed form to the ECU’s higher-level system components. This is a significant benefit to the mechatronics engineers in the repair shop when they have to diagnose errors. Such a comprehensive diagnostic ability in automobiles has only become possible because of the targeted and coordinated research and development work of the DIANA partners.

If this diagnostic technology proves reliable in automobiles, there is certainly scope for applications in other fields in which safety is important, e.g. in other forms of transport such as trains and airplanes or also in medical technology.

The DIANA project received roughly Euro 4.8 million in support from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the government’s high-tech strategy and "Information and Communication Technology Program 2020" (IKT 2020). Key topics of the IKT 2020 program are, among others, Automobiles and Mobility, with the aim of achieving significant improvement in the robustness of automotive electronics.

Further project participants

The four project partners have been assisted with support from the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits in Dresden, the Bundeswehr University in Munich and the Universities of Cottbus, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Stuttgart.

About AUDI

As a premium segment automobile manufacturer, AUDI AG supplied 1,455,123 vehicles to customers worldwide in 2012. The company develops and produces in Germany at its locations in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm as well as at eight other locations abroad. With more than 70,000 employees, the AUDI group, to which the makes Lamborghini and Ducati also belong, achieved a turnover of Euro 48.8 billion in 2012.

About Continental

With sales of Euro 32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 173,000 employees in 46 countries. Further information is available at www.continental-corporation.com.

About ZMDI

Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMDI) is a global supplier of analog and mixed signal semiconductors solutions for automotive, industrial, medical, mobile sensing, information technology and consumer applications. These solutions enable our customers to create the most energy-efficient products in power management, lighting and sensors. For over 50 years, ZMDI has been globally headquartered in Dresden, Germany. With over 320 employees worldwide, ZMDI serves its customers with sales offices and design centers throughout Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States.

Press contacts:

AUDI AG
Armin Götz
Communication Product / Technology
Phone: +49 (841) 89-90703
E-Mail: armin.goetz@audi.de

Continental AG
Simone Geldhäuser
External Communications
Division Powertrain
Phone: +49 (941) 790-61302
E-Mail: simone.geldhaeuser@continental-corporation.com

ZMDI
Freda von Kopp
Marketing and Communications
Phone: +49 (351) 8822-204
E-Mail: freda.vonkopp-colomb@zmdi.com

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2012 fiscal year (ending September 30), the Company reported sales of Euro 3.9 billion with close to 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).