A vehicle supervisory controller (SC) is a master controller that monitors
and manages the performance of a vehicle's systems. It's used in electric
vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
A vehicle supervisory controller's main functions include:
Monitoring: Overseeing the performance of the vehicle's high-voltage (HV)
subsystems
Controlling power flow: Managing the flow of power from the HV battery to the
electric motor
Coordinating activities: Ensuring that the vehicle's components work together to
meet certain requirements
In a HEV, the supervisory controller schedules the use of the internal
combustion engine and electric motor to deliver the required torque to the
driveline. It also manages the gear ratio and regeneration ratio of the
electric subsystem.
In an EV, the supervisory controller can command and control a single
traction motor via CAN. It can also control two gearboxes as part of
transmission control
VCU
In modern vehicles, especially in electric vehicles, the VCU or Vehicle Control Unit acts as
the brain of the car. It has control over all the inputs, outputs, lighting system, accessories,
communication, vehicle movement, etc. Electric vehicles mostly use the vehicle control unit
where the VCU gives the command to the Motor Control Unit(MCU) to operate but modern
fuel-operated vehicles also use the VCU unit which is connected to the Engine Control
Unit(ECU) and other accessories.
Here is the list of functions or responsibilities a VCU unit does,
It communicates with the Motor Control Unit
It receives inputs from the different sensors and transducers used in cars such as Fuel
sensors, Battery Level Indication, Temperature, Internal Faults, and many others.
It shows the information through a display so the driver can see the status of the
vehicle.
It is also inbuilt with different types of wireless technologies, so it shares vehicle
information with external devices.
It takes all the controls of the vehicle in a single display or HMI, so the user can
control everything from one place.
Internal Parts of the VCU
Internal Parts of the VCU
Practically, there is a lot of components and circuit inside a VCU but here we have shown all the
main important parts. So, you can see VCU has the main internal components,
Microcontroller: The microcontroller is the main part of the VCU. It takes all the input and after
processing generates outputs to control the external circuits and other units. A single VCU unit may
be built with a single or double microcontroller.
A/D Converter: Analog to Digital Converter helps to convert the analog signal received from analog
input devices into a digital signal. Because we know that the microcontroller or microprocessor can
process digital signals only.
D/A Converter: The Digital to Analog Converter helps to convert the digital signal from the output of
the microprocessor into an analog signal to drive the analog load.
Internal Memory: VCU has different types of internal memory such as RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, etc
to store the information and data for future use.
Network Module: VCU has both wire and wireless network modules to communicate with other
devices. It uses CAN or LIN or UART BUS to communicate with those devices that are connected
through cable. For wireless communication, it has Wifi, GPS, and Bluetooth Modules.
Card Reader: VCU supports reading or writing data in external memory cards such as pen drives, and
SD cards. So it has an external card reader module also.
Other Components: VCU has other so many internal components such as On Board Antenna, Signal
Converters, Modulators, Crystal Oscillators, Real Time Clocks, etc.
How VCU Works?
As I told you before the VCU takes input from different sources and user and generate output to
control the different systems of the vehicle. For example, the fuel sensor sends a signal or data to
the VCU, so the VCU shows the Fuel Status on the display or fuel meter.
VCU sends the real-time locations to external devices such as the owner's mobile, and computer
using GPS and wireless technology.
VCU alerts or shows information when an internal fault occurs. So the user easily can take the action.
VCU helps with antitheft protection also. It will send information or alerts to the owner.
