Just over 100 years ago, manual transmissions were the only option for drivers until the Sturtevant brothers of Boston attempted the first automatic transmission in 1904. Cars were originally made of only mechanical parts, but now contain more than 1000 electronic components—most of which happen to be sensors and micro-controllers Be it the engine, the dashboard or any other part, the use of electronics can be found to make them more efficient, simple and perform better.
An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any driver input to change gears under normal driving conditions. Transmissions, also known as gearboxes, help to direct the rotational force and speed of a car. Therefore, automatic transmissions switch gear ratios as the vehicle moves. Electronics plays a more significant role in automatic-transmission cars. The automatic transmission of a car is controlled by the transmission control unit (TCU). It is a part of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). It ensures smooth gear shifts and optimal fuel economy and performance.
The TCU collects information from the sensors attached to the vehicle. It further uses the data to do gear shifting at the right time, which helps to increase the car’s performance and efficiency. Using input sensors it gathers data then compares it to its onboard memory and then sends out a signal accordingly to manage the output to what its memory recommends.
These are the sensors giving the information to the TCU ranging from engine sensors to gear sensors. The common ones include:
With the data from input sensors the TCU outputs signals to the following sensors.
A high-performance multi-core microcontroller, the TR-C75 excels in computationally intensive model-based applications that need advanced safety architecture. Applications are supported by a software environment that abstracts the low level and communication hardware. The device supports standard communication, on-board diagnostics and diagnostic protocols. Optionally, applications may be supported by AUTOSAR 4.0, the standardized automotive software architecture.
There are now various types of automatic transmissions available in modern automobiles. Here are some automatic transmission types: