Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Saia Ag

Ernst Schmidt

Burkhard Kuhls

Urs Portmann

Bernhard Buselmeier

Reinhold Maier

In a process for insuring data integrity of software for a control unit of a motor vehicle, a central system (trust center) can issue certificates to authorized parties, enabling them to properly sign software for the control unit and import it into a vehicle to enable operation of the vehicle. For this purpose, the trust center (or the vehicle itself) provides a pair of control unit keys having a first and second key. The first key is stored during production of the vehicle in such a manner that it is accessible to the control unit. By means of the second key of the trust center, a first certificate for an authorized party (certificate holder) is signed.

Authorization process using a certificate

In a process for ensuring the data integrity of software for influencing operation of a control unit of a motor vehicle, a pair of keys is provided for encrypting and decrypting electronic data. The first key is stored for access by a control unit in the motor vehicle, and software which is to be imported is signed by means of the second key. The signed software is imported into the memory of the control unit and the signature of the software is checked by means of the first key. The signature is accepted if the check has a positive result.

Signature process

In manufacturing an electronic control unit, a stamped grid is assembled with electronic components and the components are electrically connected with parts of the stamped grid. Subsequently, a body is formed by injection molding plastic material around the components and assembling ends of the grid structure which remain free with fit-on components and electrically connect them. The fit-on components with the body are again surrounded by injection molding by plastic material, while leaving open an exterior frame structure of the stamped grid. Finally, the frame structure is assembled with additional components and/or stamped off.

Method for making an electronic control unit

A central carrier, which is constructed as a stamped part or a metallized plastic part is used for the mutual electrical and mechanical connection of the other components of the system. A plastic material and molded part is sprayed around the carrier. In turn, this molded part holds together the carrier which, after the plastic was sprayed around it, was divided into electrically insulated conductor parts, and which molded part forms housing walls as well as a plug casing.

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Ismaning, Germany

Ernst Schmidt