In the next three years, the central+regional architecture will truly be realized. On March 14-16, 2023, at the 4th Software Definition Automotive Forum and AUTOSAR China Day in 2023, Hou Yafei, Senior Director of the Digital Architecture Department of the Intelligent Research Institute of United New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd OEM's demands for universal middleware technology and the status of new universal middleware in new architecture applications were shared.

　　Hou Yafei said that with the continuous improvement of the capacity of the main engine factory, the demand to remove deep binding is one of them. The development of service-oriented services will become a mainstream trend in the future. For example, the relationship between the host factory and Tier1 has become that the host factory is a solution provider providing software, and Tier1 provides sensors, cameras, radars, or hardware OEM methods. The algorithm will gradually be developed by the host factory to meet the needs of rapid iteration.

　　Hou Yafei | Senior Director, Digital Architecture Department, Intelligent Research Institute of United New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd

　　The following is a summary of the speech content:

　　New architecture development drivers and trends

　　As the new generation becomes the main consumer force, its demand for cars has shifted from traditional transportation tools to personalized, scenario-based, safe, comfortable, and high-quality service platforms. The new generation of cars is considered a travel partner, a technology playmate, and a member of the family. In addition, a sense of technology has become an important consideration when purchasing a car.

　　With the support of high-speed communication technology, creating luxury goods with extreme experience based on user driving behavior is becoming a major trend in the development of automobiles. Hou Yafei believes that the future automotive experience will determine the position of automotive brands, with three major technological drivers, including high-speed universal networks, mature software development capabilities, and industry insiders.

　　SOC can realize the carrier for terminal to generate data applications, while providing experience space. High speed universal networks can provide a platform for data transmission with high bandwidth, provide a variety of compatible software architectures, as well as strong connectivity and strong security in a single network, self-learning, and customized networks. Currently, domestic OEMs also have software development capabilities, and there are already mature software development capabilities in China. At the same time, domestic software suppliers are also continuing to strive to build a variety of adaptive, programmable, and iterative architectures.

　　OEM's technical demands for communication middleware

　　Based on technology driven, the entire architecture is changing. We need to address traditional issues such as limited bandwidth, hardware platformization, software compatibility, and low efficiency in software development. At the same time, the new architecture needs to achieve an integrated architecture of high performance, strong service, and weak coupling. Currently, everyone is working on a central+regional integration architecture. In three years' time, there will be more central+regional architectures, followed by a framework integration scheme.

　　With the continuous improvement of the capacity of the main engine factory, the demand to remove deep binding is also one of them. Previously, the modules of the entire vehicle were based on signals, and each module was provided by the supplier to the host manufacturer, but module technology only provided products. In order to change, the host manufacturer also needs to discuss business, cooperation, quotation, and change. The cycle is about 3-5 months, or even longer, which cannot meet the frequently used and updated needs of users. Host manufacturers need to meet the requirements of driving module acceleration software implementation, while driving the industry towards this area.

　　The development of service-oriented services will become a mainstream trend in the future, which will exacerbate the changes in the relationship between Tier1 and host manufacturers, which provide software solutions, while Tier1 provides sensors, cameras, radars, or hardware OEM methods. The algorithm will gradually be developed by the host factory to meet the needs of rapid iteration.

　　Currently, domestic companies such as Chang'an, SAIC, Great Wall, Volkswagen, and Toyota have established relevant research and development departments, and even have increasingly high requirements for software. At the same time, achieving comprehensive self research, development of service scenarios and service functions, as well as later stages, has also become the main demand for the host factory.

　　Application status of general middleware in new architecture

　　Universal middleware is a scalable, scalable, and personalized middleware that communicates through Ethernet. The main functions include three aspects - service discovery, remote service scheduling, and read/write processes. In addition to Ethernet based communication middleware, there are also DDS and OM unit object-oriented management releases. DDS is a data centric middleware that provides high reliability technical requirements. Common middleware based on DDS, such as Xiaopeng and Ideal, have been mass produced.

　　DDS itself has a wide range of applications, enabling connectivity between the vehicle and the cloud. At the same time, it also has mature and reliable technology to ensure signal quality, as well as signal reliability and stability. At the same time, it can achieve the expansion and release of the entire information from the vehicle to the cloud.

　　The entire service-oriented development approach has become the current mainstream approach, mainly including two types: signal to service and service to service. Some OEMs now use the whole vehicle DDS development service, not only as a general middleware, but also as a middleware for services. Currently, both M-core and A-core middleware are being developed.

　　However, DDS also has its own problems. On the M-core, it is necessary to consider the issue of interacting with the A-core, and it also requires tailoring and customized development on the M-core. The way in which M-core and A-core interact requires coordinated computing, and various host factories are also examining these issues. I believe that these issues can be solved when computing is completed in the future.

　　When making two sets of middleware, we should also pay sufficient attention to the supply chain that exists in the later stages of development. Because the development of the entire supply chain is also one of the driving factors within the industry.

　　There may be mixed scenarios in the future. Some host factories are already developing some protocols, and once they can break through the requirements of DDS, they will definitely be unified into one middleware. Whether it is based on service-oriented development or the transmission of signal classes based on the common middleware itself, it will be centralized in the future; The future agreement will also be unified.

　　Currently, Nezha Automobile is building a mountain and sea platform and a new central+regional electronic architecture; We also do resource development, including general middleware, architecture and hardware development and design, and component generalization. At the same time, we also develop software together with the industry through self research and cooperation. For example, cooperate with companies such as Horizon and Huawei to do autonomous driving; In addition, we are actively seeking partners in electric motors, batteries, electronic controls, Internet of Vehicles, automatic cabins, etc.

　　(The above content is from Hou Yafei, Senior Director of the Digital Architecture Department of the Intelligent Research Institute of United States New Energy Vehicles Co., Ltd., who delivered a keynote speech on "How Communication Middleware Supports the New Electronic and Electrical Architecture" at the 4th Software Definition Automotive Forum and AUTOSAR China Day on March 14-16, 2023.)