After attending the module, the students are expected to: - understand the architectures and the operation of the main building blocks of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and describe them adopting an appropriate terminology; - understand the architecture and the operation of specific ECU-based control systems in vehicles and of vehicle data networks; - know and understand the main performance parameters of electronic systems used in technical litterature; - apply the concepts to discuss electronic systems requirements in real world vehicle applications (also with reference to simple numerical exercises).

- Mathematical Analsys; - Physics; - Circuit Theory (in particular: DC, AC and transient circuit analysis, Frequency-domain analysis and Bode plots); - Basic concepts of analog electronics (transistors, amplifiers, opamp-based circuits); - Basic concepts of digital electronics and computer science (binary numbers, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits).

1) Microprocessor units (MPU) (9h) : -MPU architecture; -MPU operation and programming concepts (overview); -MPU-based systems: buses and access to peripheral devices; -MPUs for vehicles and main performance parameters. 2) Vehicle data networks (9h): - general data network concepts; - shared transmission media: medium access control (MAC) and arbitration; - automotive data networks: LIN, CAN, Automotive Ethernet. 3) Sensor acquisition front-end and A/D conversion (12h): -automotive sensors; sensor non-idealities and sensor terminology; -A/D conversion fundamentals: sampling, quantization, coding. Sampling theorem: aliasing and oversampling; quantization error; -A/D converters: static and dynamic performance parameters; -D/A converters (DACs) and A/D converters (ADCs) for automotive applications: operation and performance comparison; -multichannel acquisition front-end: anti-aliasing filter, conditioning amplifiers, sample and hold (S/H); -exercises on signal conditioning and acquisition. 4) Power management unit (6h): - MOS transistors; - linear and switching-mode voltage regulators; - power drivers and actuators: drivers for solenoid actuators; 5) Gasoline engine control ECU (14h): -control targets and controller architercture; -input variables and sensors (EPS, TPS, RPM, MAF, CT, lambda sensor); -output variables and actuators: fuel injectors, ignition system; -control strategies and operating modes; -Sensor signal acquisition exercises. 6) Braking System and Vehicle Dynamics Control (5h): - targets, input quantities and sensors (acceletometers, wheel speed sensors, yaw rate sensor); - antilock braking system (ABS) operation; - outline on vehicle dynamics control systems (ESP, CBC). 7) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) (3h) : - emission and Immunity issues; - practical issues and EMC concepts; - standard regulations and automotive EMC tests at component and vehicle level. 8) Electronic control unit design and verification flow overview (2h).

The course is structured in: - frontal lectures (about 52h), intended to give the students the basic concepts and understanding of electronic systems in vehicles, their operation and performance parameters (as detailed in the program); - numerical exercises (about 8h), in which the concepts and performance parameters introduced in theorical lectures will be applied in simple numerical examples and case studies in the automotive field.

Further reading: William Ribbens, "Understanding Automotive Electronics, An Engineering Perspective," 8th Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, (Elsevier Science), 2017 Amsterdam.

Lecture notes; Exercises; Video lectures (previous years);

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

Oral exam (15-20min), intended to verify the acquisition of the expected learning outcomes (see above). The student will be asked to: - illustrate the structure and the operation principles of electronic systems and sub-systems in a vehicle (especially in terms of block diagrams and/or simplified electrical circuits); - introduce and properly define the main performance parameters of components and sub-systems; - discuss the main criteria and tradeoffs in the design of electric/electronic systems and subsystems with reference to vehicle applications; - discuss electronic systems requirements in simple vehicle applications, also with reference to simple numerical exercises to be solved during the oral test; In the evaluation, the following points are considered: 1) the understanding of the concepts and the ability to explain them; 2) the ability to provide very focused and concise answers to specific questions; 3) the adoption of a correct terminology; 4) the ability to apply/adapt the concepts introduced in the course in simple real-world problems; 5) the awareness of the typical numerical values of electronic systems parameters in automotive applications.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.