Electronic control unit

An electronic control unit (ECU), also known as an electronic control module (ECM), is an <a href="/facts/Embedded_system/a4muX1wU">embedded system</a> in <a href="/facts/Automotive_electronics/CtTEQk9e">automotive electronics</a> that controls one or more of the <a href="/facts/Automotive_electronics/CtTEQk9e">electrical systems</a> or subsystems in a car or other <a href="/facts/Motor_vehicle/AaXamA0w">motor vehicle</a>.
Modern vehicles have many ECUs, and these can include some or all of the following: <a href="/facts/Engine_control_unit/Q1uYhmyN">engine control module</a> (ECM), <a href="/facts/Powertrain_control_module/MBPQdDgV">powertrain control module</a> (PCM), transmission control module (TCM), brake control module (BCM or EBCM), central control module (CCM), central timing module (CTM), general electronic module (GEM), <a href="/facts/Body_control_module/zsAI1yY2">body control module</a> (BCM), and suspension control module (SCM). These ECUs together are sometimes referred to collectively as the car's computer though technically they are all separate computers, not a single one. Sometimes an assembly incorporates several individual control modules (a PCM often controls both the engine and the transmission).
Some modern motor vehicles have up to 150 ECUs. <a href="/facts/Embedded_software/zY8EeYCJ">Embedded software</a> in ECUs continues to increase in line count, complexity, and sophistication. Managing the increasing complexity and number of ECUs in a vehicle has become a key challenge for <a href="/facts/Original_equipment_manufacturer/hmUhIWaS">original equipment manufacturers</a> (OEMs).

Electronic control unit open-in-new

Electronic control unit