Vehicle Diagnostics: Expertise & Know-How

Vehicle Diagnostics

Vehicle diagnostics is a key success factor in the development, production, and operation of modern vehicles. Increasing software content, connected systems, electromobility, and automated driving functions significantly increase the complexity of vehicle electronic architectures. ACTIA IME provides powerful, scalable diagnostic solutions tailored to your specific requirements.

Fundamentals: Vehicle Diagnostics Based on the OSI Layer Model

To support the structured development and analysis of modern diagnostic systems, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is widely used in vehicle diagnostics. It describes data communication across seven clearly defined layers, ranging from physical data transmission to processing within the diagnostic application.

Benefits for our customers:

Modularity and interchangeability of individual components
Clear system separation between hardware, protocols, and software
Future-proof support for new vehicle architectures

Open Systems Interconnection model - Graphic

OSI Layer Model: Each layer performs a clearly defined function and operates largely independently of the others. This allows individual technologies or components to be replaced without affecting the functionality of the overall system.

Bus systems

Bus systems form the physical foundation of vehicle diagnostics. While earlier vehicle generations relied on simple serial communication lines, modern vehicles require significantly higher data rates, real-time capabilities, and improved robustness against interference. In particular, cameras, radar sensors, and other environmental sensing systems generate large volumes of data that must be processed and diagnosed reliably.

At the same time, vehicle architectures are undergoing a fundamental transformation: centralized High-Performance Computers (HPCs) are increasingly replacing large numbers of distributed electronic control units (ECUs).

Typical bus systems:

K-Line

ISO 9141

Vehicle Diagnostics