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This paper investigates the problem of interoperability of ECUs in a distributed control system consisting of a set of ECUs connected by a serial communication channel. If the application tasks executing within an ECU depend on the temporal properties of the data delivered by the communicatioin channel, then a precise specification of the temporal interface properties is a prerequisite for interoperability. Such a precise interface specification can be developed if the communication system is time-triggered and the points in time, when the information is updated at the receivers, is known a priori. In the second part of the paper the concept of a “temporal firewall” is introduced to precisely specify the input and output interfaces of a node in the value domain and the time domain. Examples for temporal firewalls in a distributed vehicle control system are given.

The individual development process for distributed, communicating electronic control units hinders the integration of Automotive systems and increases the overall costs. In order to facilitate such applications, services and protocols for Communication, Network Management, and Operating System must be standardized. The aim of the OSEK project is to work out a respective specification proposal in cooperation with several car manufacturers and suppliers. This will permit a cost-effective system integration and support the portation of system functions between different electronic control units.