Embedded Glow Control System
Requirement:
Design and development of software solution for an 8-bit microcontroller based Glow Control
Unit (henceforth referred as GCU). Listed below were the Functions included,
Logic for controlling glow plug power stages
Error handling and diagnosis of glow plugs
LIN interface to Engine Control Unit
System Overview:
The glow control system has glow plugs controlled electronically through a microcontroller
based GCU. GCU communicates with the Engine Control Unit (henceforth referred as ECU)
through a LIN network.
LIN interface:
The ECU communicates with GCU over a LIN network. In the LIN network, ECU is configured as
the master and GCU as the slave.
Glow Control Unit:
GCU receives the glow control logic state, glow voltage etc. from the ECU over LIN and based on
these inputs, controls the glow plugs. It controls switching of the glow plugs in sequence to
minimize the current fluctuations.
GCU also handles diagnosis and error handling of the system. It detects errors like short circuit

to ground, short circuit to battery, open load, over load etc. The diagnostic status is sent over
LIN to ECU on request. GCU also can switch off glow plugs to avoid damage in case of an error.
Flashing of the glow unit can be done over LIN network. For this, diagnostic tester/flashing tool
is connected to ECU which acts a gateway and communicates with GCU over LIN.
Implementation:
Design and development of logic for controlling the glow plug power stages. Control of
individual glow plugs possible.
Design and development of logic for Error handling and diagnostics of glow plugs.
Complete software solution for LIN interface.
Implementation of flashing routines for flashing the system over LIN
Hardware design was done jointly with the customer
Resource optimization carried out to avoid run-time problems.
Testing and Validation:
Standard QA practices were followed to ensure quality of deliverables
Standard Testing practices including Unit testing, Function testing etc
System testing and HIL testing were performed at customer site
Enhancements possible:
Pressure sensor glow plugs:
Newer Engine and Injection system technologies are demanding the use of pressure
sensors inside the engine cylinder. From constructional point of view, it is easier to
mount this pressure sensor with glow plug.
Our offerings:
Complete software solution for evaluation of pressure signal in GCU
GCU with CAN interface:

A CAN network has the advantage of faster transmission of data compared to LIN. With new
features like combustion chamber pressure sensor in GCU, may be it is necessary to migrate to
CAN interface.
Our offerings:
Complete software solution for CAN interface can be provided
Flashing over CAN interface can be supported
New features can be developed as per customer’s specifications
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EMBEDDED SERVICES, PLEASE VISIT US AT
http://www.embitel.com/Embedded_Software_Services_De.55.0.html OR MAIL
US AT: sales@embitel.com