The document provides an overview of an engine control unit (ECU) and proposes features for a new low-cost ECU design project. An ECU uses a microprocessor to process sensor inputs and control parameters like fuel mixture, ignition timing, and other engine functions. Modern ECUs are sophisticated and expensive. The proposed new design aims to reduce costs by using an affordable ARM controller as the core system running on an RTOS kernel and combining CAN, FlexRay, and LIN networks to connect various sensors to monitor the car environment.

1. Engine Control Unit A condensed overviewBy Nikhil PKarthikeyan S Adarsh A

2. Introduction It is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running.Modern cars have nearly 200 ECUs which are very sophisticated &expensive.

3. Modern ECUs use a microprocessor which can process the inputs from the engine sensors in real time. An electronic control unit contains the hardware and software . The main component is a microcontroller chip (CPU). The software is stored in the microcontroller ,so the CPU can be re-programmed by uploading updated code. This is also referred to as an Engine Management System (EMS).Features Proposed Fuel Mixture Ratio: The ratio of fuel and air mixture can be controlled by incorporating a stepper motor in the carburettor

4. Wheel speed sensors and Throttle position sensors: Using rotary sensors and potentiometers.

5. Collision avoidance: This is achieved by obstacle detection sensors placed at appropriate places and detecting the potential obstacles.