Off-Highway

Reliable electronic communication is a key requirement to ensure safe operation of technically complex machines. Therefore, fault-tolerant electronics were particularly essential for the autonomous vehicles that competed in the DARPA Grand Challenge desert race in Nevada. These autonomous robotic vehicles were thus equipped with cameras, navigation sensors and laser range scanners to distinguish a shadow from a cavity and recognize all obstacles in the hostile desert terrain.

From among 23 finalists, only five teams actually arrived at the finish line. The two Red Team robotic vehicles Sandstorm and H1ghlander, equipped with TTTech solutions, finished the 132 mile (230 kilometer) course and took 2nd and 3rd place.

The network provided by TTTech consisted of four powerful multi-purpose units: Three HY-TTC 200 units controlled the parking brake, the throttle, and the transmission functions. A control box managed the service brake of the H1ghlander. Safe data communication had to be ensured between the high-tech controllers in the vehicles. TTP was used for the time-triggered data communication network between these modules providing highest data rates and safety features.

"Reliable data communication is crucial for the operation of autonomous vehicles. Fault-tolerant communication of the by-wire control system must be ensured."
Spencer Spiker
Principal Research Engineer
Carnegie Mellon University