SOS
Functional architecture of an eCall in-vehicle System (IVS)
According to the operating requirements for eCall:
• The in-vehicle system shall include a network
access device (e.g. a GSM module).
• The in-vehicle system shall detect when an
“eCall trigger” has been initiated.
• In the event of an accident the “eCall” system shall
automatically determine whether or not to
trigger an “eCall” and, where appropriate, make
such an “eCall” automatically.
• An “eCall” shall also be able to be triggered
manually.
• Upon triggering an “eCall” the “eCall” system shall
attempt to send a Minimum Set of Data
(MSD) to any given Mobile Network Operator
(MNO) with the European pre-assigned
TS12 destination address (112).
• The “eCall” system shall also try to establish a
voice connection between the vehicle and that
pre-assigned destination address.
• The system shall be robust and will normally
survive a crash.
• The quality of service of the in-vehicle equipment,
including communications equipment, shall be
reliable.
For the MSD the IVS has to collect data from the vehicle network and maintain the last up-to-date GNSS (GPS, Galileo) fixes of the vehicle’s location.
This provides the following main functional blocks for an eCall-IVS:
• eCall Application
• Embedded SIM
• Cellular Network connectivity (GSM)
• GNSS (GPS, Galileo)
• Vehicle Connectivity (CAN)
• In-Band Modem for MDS transmission
• Backup battery
AmperDesign eCall System Power Management IC
AmperDesign’s eCall System PMIC, includes a battery system charger, power path controller and system safety resources to address the system development tasks for eCall Modules.
The device is optimised for power efficiency and total systems cost, with a focus on minimising the external components required to implement the system design. The device might as well be used, in applications, where no battery support is required.
AmperDesign eCall System PMIC supports system power and system thermal management, a low-power system power rail, MCU reset, dual watchdog timer, system start-up and shutdown power sequencing and operational system and safety monitoring and LiIon battery charging, as well as Power Monitoring, a BIST System and Platform testing. This enables highest functional safety standard.
AmperDesign eCall PMIC development does follow the ISO26262 standard and will be qualified according to AEC-Q100 standard.