IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | May-2014, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 102
DESIGNS OF INPUT AND OUTPUT DRIVER CIRCUITS FOR 16-BIT
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) AND DEVELOPMENT OF
CONTROL STRATEGY FOR ECU USING THESE I/O DRIVER CIRCUITS

Mansi K. Ajudia
1
, Mahesh T. Kolte
2
, Prasanta Sarkar
3

1
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication, M.E. 2
nd
Year (E&TC), M.I.T College of Engineering Pune
2
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication, H.O.D (E&TC), M.I.T College of Engineering Pune
3
TTL Pvt. Ltd., Pune, University of Pune, India

Abstract
The rapid prototype based method for design process of control strategy of electronic control unit for input and output driver circuit
for 16-bit Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This method saves time and cost for making of an electronic control unit board and uses the
electronic control unit board having a type of microcontroller in which we can flash code many times for generation of control
strategy. Based on the given circuit, development of control strategy for electronic control unit is done in microcontrollers supported
IDE. Then, test and verify the developed code with the use of given input and output driver circuits for electronic control unit on test
bench with virtual engine environment setup or in an actual vehicle. The whole process is associated with development of Engine
Management System. In this paper the input and output driver circuit design is given for further development of control code for four
wheeler vehicles. Using this technique the validation process of electronic control unit board is done on test bench setup or in actual
vehicle.

Keywords- Electronic Control Unit, Integrated Development Environment, Engine Management System, Manifold-air
Pressure, Accelerator Pedal Position, Engine Coolant Temperature, Controller Area Network
----------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. INTRODUCTION
Electronic Control Unit Consists of input and output drivers
circuits with communication devices as its peripherals. Those are
used for controlling purpose for internal operation of electronic
control unit. The main aim of the peripheral circuits for
electronic control unit is to drive vehicle with greater accuracy
on road condition for achieving better performance from vehicle.
Testing of electronic control unit on bench is required because
vehicles engine contains dangerous liquids and harmful gases so
the vehicle and electronic control unit may get damaged.

So, it necessary to test electronic control unit on test bench
earlier and then set up it to actual vehicle. Therefore, the process
of development of control code is done in the microcontrollers
IDE and tested the same on test bench or in a vehicle.



Fig 1: ECU input output circuit diagram

For above given process the circuit of input and output drivers of
electronic control unit is required. For designing purpose
peripheral circuits of electronic control units is done using circuit
IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

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Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | May-2014, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 103
tool drafting tool. Here in this paper the schematic for the input
and output driver circuits of 16-bit Electronic Control Unit
design is given using orcade capture tool.

An Electronic Control Unit consists of functional blocks:
Microcontroller or microprocessor
Power Supply Section
Analog Inputs (continuously varying values)
Digital Inputs (on/off type inputs)
Frequency Inputs (vehicle speed input)
Digital Outputs (on/off type output)
Injector Driver Output
Ignition Coil Driver Output

2. ANALOG INPUT CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNIT
An analog signal is a type of signal which represents
continuously variable voltage and amplitude with respect to time
is called as an analog signal. The analog inputs refer and
receive the outcome from sensors. In other words an analog
input senses the sensor information and feed them to the ECU
using a supported voltage level of microcontroller. Typical
analog inputs for ECU include accelerator pedal position
sensor signal (APP), manifold-air pressure sensor signal
(MAP), and engine coolant temperature sensor signal
(coolant) etc. are referred as analog inputs. All analog inputs
given here are supplied with 5V with reference to ground
potential (zero/negative potential).



Fig 2: Analog I/P Circuit for 16-bit ECU
3. DIGITAL INPUT CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNIT
A digital input signal is a type of signal that represents two
voltage levels first is high and second is low. The digital signals
are having two states for representation and transition of data.
The digital input provides the on/off (triggered) type data
input to the ECU for its operation. Typically the on/off switch
input (toggle switches) are given as a reference for digital
inputs of electronic control unit. All digital inputs are
preconfigured with internal pull up resistors which can be
preconfigured or set during the programming of ECU to
convene particular environment. All digital inputs are feed
with 5V supply with respect to Ground. The digital signal is
not having continuously variable value like analog signals. The
two state values of digital inputs have been expressed in various
ways like high/low, on/ off, 0/1.



Fig 3: Digital I/P Circuit for 16-bit ECU

4. DIGITAL OUTPUT DRIVER CIRCUIT FOR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
The Low-side Switch and Low-side Drive outputs are used to
control the low side of relay coils and other devices. These
outputs current on the low-side (zero potential), they are
constantly attached to the negative potential a zero potential
region of circuit. An example of a Low-side Switch output
enabling an external relay.

U1
Analog_Input
Y1
14
Y5
5
A
11
B
10
C
9
INH
6
COM
3
V
C
C
1
6
G
N
D
8
C1
800pF
R1
18K
C2
4.7pF
0 0
Engine_Coolant_Temp
C3
4.7pF
C4
800pF
Accelerator_Pedal_Position
0 0
0
VCC
uC_113
uC_84
uC_86
uC_85
uC_83
C5
100nF
0
R2
18K
C6
4.7pF
C7
800pF
0 0
Manif oldair_Pressure_Signal
R3
18K
uC_111
U2
Digital_Input
SP2
7
G
N
D
1
V
P
W
R
1
6
V
D
D
3
1
SI
2
SCLK
3
CS
4
SO
32
AMUX
30
INT
29
C8
4.7pF
0
Ignition_Switch_Input(on/of f )
0
uC_124
uC_126
uC_125
uC_123
uC_104
uC_106
VPWR VDD
C9
100nF
C10
100nF
0 0
IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | May-2014, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 104


Fig 4: Digital O/P Circuit for 16-bit ECU

The low-side driver switch outputs are selected as low voltage
and current range probably the ranges are 2A which indicates
low value, 5A which indicates medium value, or 10A which
indicates high value with respect to their current conducting
capabilities. The only care must be taken to make sure that the
devices related with the ECU, which do not exceed the ratings
of their respective outputs.



Fig 5: Digital O/P Circuit for 16-bit ECU

5. FREQUENCY INPUT CIRCUIT FOR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
The Electronic Control unit senses the input signal coming
from variable reluctance sensor (VR); these inputs are being
used to provide trigger sensor information to the ECU. These
is used in many other applications, typically these are uses
include in Cam-shaft/Crank-shaft Position/Vehicle Speed
Sensors and wheel speed sensors.



Fig 6: Frequency I/P Circuit for 16-bit ECU

6. INJECTOR AND IGNITION COIL DRIVER
CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
Injectors are driven with the help of output signal, which is
coming from ECU having lower voltage range. Supply of 12
V feed to injectors, which is coming from main power relay of
vehicle. High impedance or low impedance injectors can be
used with engine lab controllers without the need for higher
value resistors. Similarly, Ignition coils are driven with the
help of output signal, which is coming from the ECU and
having lower voltage range. So, many different types of
ignition characteristics are supported, such as Multi-
Sequential, Multi-Wasted Spark, Single, Distributor coil and
many more. In multi-coil package, the spark gap is used
which supports a igniters pack, which are supplied by
the positive 12V main relay signal from the main power relay
of vehicle for driving purpose of vehicle successfully on the
running condition.

U3
Digital_Output
SCLK
20
CS
23
SI
32
SO
35
PWM
50
G
N
D
4
2
-
4
4
S
O
P
W
R
5
V
P
W
R
8
OUT10
33
0
SOPWR VPWR
uC_124
uC_8
uC_125
uC_109
uC_123
C11
100nF C12
100nF
0 0
Main_Relay _Startup_Switch(on/of f )
C13
4.7pF
0
U4
Digital_Output
V
D
D
2
V
P
W
R
3
1
DI
17
SCLK
16
CS
18
DO
32
IN5
19
IN6
14
G
N
D
1
D5
21
S5
20
VCCVPWR
uC_125
uC_124
uC_68
uC_113
uC_123
uC_110
0
VPWR
C18
100nF
C19
100nF
0 0
C20
4.7uF
Fuel_Pump_Switch
0
U5
Frequency _Input
IN+
1
IN-
2
IN_BIAS
4
V
C
C
1
0
Z
E
R
O
_
E
N
6
I
N
T
_
T
H
R
S
9
G
N
D
5
COUT
7
0
0
uC_11
R4
1k
R5
18K
R6
1k
C14
800nF
C15
4.7nF
0
4.7nF
1n
0
Crank_Signal_Input_+v e
Crank_Signal_Input_-v e
C17
100nF
VCC
0
IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | May-2014, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 105


Fig 7: Injector and Ignition Coil Circuit for 16-bit ECU

7. CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN)
CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
The Can Bus is used to control and communicate with Can
devices on the vehicle. To control the air pollution and
emission of harmful which are produced by todays
automotive industry, the automotive industry has developed
multiple electronic systems. Those main functions are to
improve pollution and fuel consumption. Those systems
having more complication thats why those required the data
exchange among them, therefore they required so many hard-
wired connections for performance of dedicated lines for
signal operations. The CAN Communication protocol gives
the complete solution path for its function. With, the help of
CAN, microcontrollers, vehicle sensors and output directed
actuators communicate or interact with each other devices in
the given node network, in real(synchronized)-time, with a
speed of up to 1Mbit/second, over a two wire cable serial
(ongoing) data bus.



Fig 8: Controller Area Network Circuit for 16-bit ECU

8. EXPERIMENT AND RESULTS
Procedure for Generating the Control Algorithm for input and
output driver circuits of 16-bit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in
the microcontrollers given Integrated Development
Environment (IDE) using the input and output driver circuit and
pin mapping of input and output driver circuits with using above
given figures for input and output driver circuits.

/************** read analog I/ps
*************************/
A_HC4851_SetVal();
B_HC4851_ClrVal();
C_HC4851_SetVal();

AD1_Measure(1); //Measure Accelerator pedal signal
AD1_GetValue8(Analog_values);
Acc_Pedal_Signal = Analog_values[2];

A_HC4851_SetVal();
B_HC4851_ClrVal();
C_HC4851_ClrVal();

AD1_Measure(1); //Measure Engine Coolant temp signal
AD1_GetValue8(Analog_values);
Eng_Coolant_Temp_Signal = Analog_values[2];
u32_vECT_couRaw = Eng_Coolant_Temp_Signal;

MAP_Signal = Analog_values[0]; //Measure Manifold air
pressure signal

/************** end of read analog
I/ps*******************/
/************** read digital I/p ******************/
U6
Injector_Ignition_Driv e_Circuit
V
P
W
R
2
5
RSP
26
GIN0
24
RSN
27
G
N
D
3
3
SPKDUR
20
FB0
2
V
D
D
8
SI
6
OUT0
1
CS
4
SCLK
5
GD0
3
DIN0
10
SO
7
0
VPWR VDD
Q1
IGBT1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
R8
36K
C21
4.7nF
0
R9
40mOhm
0
uC_124
uC_125
uC_123
uC_10
uC_36
uC_40
uC_18
Ignition_Driv er_Output
Injector_Driv er_Output
C22
100nF
C23
100nF
0 0
U7
CAN
CS
27
SCLK
24
MOSI
26
MISO
25
INT
5
TXD
2
RXD
1
G
N
D
6
-
9
,
2
0
-
2
3
V
D
D
3
VSUP
12
CANH
18
CANL
19
uC_22
uC_124
uC_125
uC_123
uC_71
uC_134
uC_135
CAN_High
CAN_Low
0
V_SUPPLY
C24
100nF
0
VDD
C25
100nF
0
IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | May-2014, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 106
read break switch i/p
if(!MC33972_vRead_IP(Rd_Buffer)){
if((Rd_Buffer[0]&0x01)){//if ignition on

// MC33999B_MainRelay_SetVal(); //switch on main relay
MC33999B_MainRelay_ClrVal();
FuelPump_ClrVal();
} else {

// MC33999B_MainRelay_ClrVal(); //switch off main relay
MC33999B_MainRelay_SetVal();
FuelPump_SetVal();
} }
/************** end of read digital I/p ****************/



Fig 9: Results of ECU Variables in INCA Window

In the given figure the results of ECU inputs are shown. This
result shows the variable value in the software tool for ECU
variables and its parameters.

9. CONCLUSIONS
The actual development process of electronic control unit board
takes much time and cost. For solution of these difficulties we
can use such type of microcontroller based ECU board in which
we can use a controller which supports the flash programmable
memory. Therefore, we can easily do flashing of code on
microcontroller of ECU board. This technique is very useful
because we can get many applications as per our desired code.
By, using this method, development process of control code
increases the code flexibility, efficiency, reuse ability and
reliability in case of testing or validation process for Electronic
Control Unit on test bench, on virtual environment PC setup and
in a vehicle.

This process is initial and essential for testing purpose of
automotive electronic circuits on test bed setup. This is the best
example of component based Electronic Control Unit design
method. With using this method we can develop a code for input
and output driver circuits for ECU.

REFERENCES
[1] Jian HU, Gangyan LI and Jun XU, Component-Based
ECU Design Method of Passenger Car Information
Integrated Control System, International Conference on
Automation and Logistics, Shenyang, China August 2009.
[2] Daniel D.Gajski, Frank Vahid, Sanjiv Narayan, Jie Gong,
Specification and Design of Embedded Systems,
Prentice Hall PTR, ISBN: 978-0131507319, 1994.
[3] EAST-EEA consortium, EAST-EEA Embedded
Electronic Architecture, Available: www.east-eea.net,
2008.
[4] AUTOSAR development partnership, TECHNICAL
OVERVIEW, Available: www.autosar.org, 2008.
[5] AUTOSAR Layered Software Architecture, R3.0,
Rev.0001, November, 2007.