Communication networks for drive-by-wire applications

The automotive market is more and more interested in all-electric systems for the execution of the driving commands, i.e. in the so-called Drive-by-Wire (DbW) systems. The most crucial issue in their usage is the achievement of acceptable levels of dependability. From this point of view, the communication network of a DbW system is a critical component. Being the traditional fieldbuses used in the cars not suited to highly dependable applications, new communication networks have been devised, built up around protocols that accommodate powerful techniques to assure the dependability in the data exchange. This paper illustrates the characteristics of the communication networks for DbW systems, focusing on the techniques adopted to stand up against errors and faults of communication