Dictionary
The AUDIO MOBIL Dictionary provides a directory of the most important automotive abbreviations in the world of automotive electronics.
The abbreviations are also expanded to include those established by AUDIO MOBIL Elektronik GmbH.
AUDIO MOBIL abbreviations
AZS: Active Zone Separation
Active separation of audio zones.
Car ICT: Car Interaction and Communication Technology
The original term “information and communication technology” is expanded to include interaction.
DPS: Digital Power Sound
Modular, scalable sound system with up to 1000 W RMS
ICS – Interactive Communication Steering Wheel
Steering wheel that ensures all key functions are available at a single touch (positive impact on HMI).
Mobility 3.0: Car + ICT
Efficient mobility through individual connectivity
PAS: Personal Audio System
Individual audio zones that make it possible to listen to individual music at a high level
This provides very good speech intelligibility as well as hands-free calling without disruptive headphones. This guarantees privacy in the personal zone and outside the passenger compartment. The personal app offers additional convenience.
RVC: Rear View Camera
Active cooling system for ambient temperatures of up to 110 degrees Celsius.
XLD: XL display
A
AD: Automated Driving
Automated driving
ADAS: Advanced Driver Assistance System
Strictly speaking, “advanced driver assistance system”, but now generally
common as an abbreviation for driver assistance system. Depending on the context, often also
ADAS(-system) + environment sensing.
ADIS: Advanced Driver Information System
a term currently not widely used in the context of infotainment
AEC: Automotive Electronic Council
standardization body of automotive manufacturers for electronic components
AECQ: Automotive Qualification Requirements for Discrete Products
AES: Advanced Encryption Standard
Cryptography standard
ALM: Application Lifecycle Management
AM: Amplitude modulation
AMOD: Automated Mobility on Demand
Automated mobility on demand.
ANC: Active Noise Control / Cancellation / Reduction
Anti-noise, or active noise compensation, compensates ambient noise
(airborne sound) through destructive interference using artificially generated sound—an exact
duplicate of the disturbing sound, but with opposite polarity. In the
vehicle cabin, engine and driving noises can be compensated—also in the exhaust.
Hands-free systems improve intelligibility, and in the area of structure-borne noise,
(destructive) vibrations can be suppressed.
AOS: Automatic Occupancy Sensor
Automatic seat occupancy sensor
APG: Automotive application group (in the ZVEI)
Automotive application group at ZVEI
API: Application Programming Interface
Interface for application programming
APLM: Automated Parking Lot Management
Automated parking lot management
APT: Advanced Persistent Threats
Highly advanced security threats; cyber threat
AR: Augmented Reality
Augmented reality; “augmented” means “enhanced”, “improved”, “enlarged”,
but sometimes also “exaggerated”; currently used in AR HUDs
AR-HUD: Augmented Reality Head-up Display
HUD that displays information in the driver’s field of view where it belongs in context according to the driving situation: the lane to be selected according to the navigation system is
for example projected directly “onto” the corresponding real lanes. The article
about the first AR HUD for passenger cars presented to the public provides a good overview
of how such systems work.
ARI: Auto Radio Information
a system from the 1970s for traffic announcement identification; successor: TMC
ARTOP: Autosar tool platform, Autosar tool platform
ASD: Active Sound Design
ASD imitates the sound of the automotive engine in the passenger cabin
ASI: Infotainment interface within the VW Group
Above that is the MMI
ASIC: Application-specific integrated circuit
Application-specific IC
ASIL: Automotive Safety Integrity Level
ASIL is a risk classification scheme defined in the ISO 26262 standard.
ASK: Amplitude-Shift Keying
Amplitude shift keying is one of the digital modulation methods in
communications engineering.
ASM: Automotive Simulation Model
Simulation model in the automotive sector
ASRB: Automotive Security Review Board
A non-profit consortium founded by Intel, Uber and Aeris in the field of
automotive security.
ATA: Anti-Theft Alarm
Anti-theft alarm system
ATE: Automatic Test Equipment
Automated measurement equipment for testing
Autosar: Automotive Open System Architecture
See autosar.org
AVAS: Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
Acoustic signal for pedestrians (to indicate that a quiet EV is approaching)
AVB: Audio/Video Bridging
Standard for (prioritized) transmission of audio/video data via Ethernet
AVB: Audio Video Broadcast
Audio/video transmission
AVM: Around View Monitoring
Surround view display created by stitching together multiple
camera images
AVP: Automated Valet Parking
A term coined by Bosch that is now becoming established across the industry.
AVTP: Audio/Video Transport Protocol
Audio/video transport protocol according to IEEE 1722.
AWC: Automatic Wireless Charging
Automatic wireless charging (usually of electric vehicles)
B
B2B: Business to Business; everything beyond end-customer business
B2V: Business to Vehicle
Communication between a single business platform and the vehicle—in
contrast to V2V
BAST: Federal Highway Research Institute (in Germany)
Federal Highway Research Institute
BBZ: Black-box supplier
BCM: Body Control Module
Larger control unit in the chassis area
BER: Bit Error Rate
Bit error rate (BRF) or bit field frequency (BFH)
BLD: Brakelight Detection
Brake light detection
BLDC: Brushless DC Motor
Brushless DC motor
BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy
BMS: Battery Management System
Battery management system (for lithium batteries)
BOB: Break-out Box (German: Break-Out-Box)
Enables connecting test equipment to vehicle electronics
BOM: Bill of Material
In German: Stückliste; usually about BOM costs
BPT: Bidirectional Power Transfer
Power transfer in two directions: a device that is normally charged (by
infrastructure) becomes an energy source that feeds power back.
BSD: Blind Spot Detection
Blind spot detection
BSIMM: Building Security In Maturity Model
BSIMM is an initiative around software security in the real
world.
BSM: Basic Safety Message
To help prevent traffic accidents, for example due to fog or bad
weather, safety messages (BSM) are broadcast by moving vehicles via radio.
Broadcast.
BSW: Basic software within the Autosar framework
BV: Image processing
C
C2C: Car-to-Car
C2C is traffic mobile radio between vehicles.
C2C-CC: Car-to-Car Communication Consortium
The Car-to-Car Communication Consortium brings together leading European
vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions for the deployment of cooperative
intelligent transport systems and services (C-ITS).
C2I: Car to Infrastructure
C2I communication: communication between a vehicle and stationary
infrastructure; in Germany, the common term for V2I
C2X: Car-to-everything
C2X is the umbrella term for traffic connectivity. See V2X.
C2XC: Car-to-X Communication
Communication from car to car (via C2X)
CAM: Cooperative Awareness Message
In the field of traffic communication systems (see also CEN, E-Call (Europe) or
ERA-GLONASS (Russia).
CAN: Controller Area Network
The CAN bus is the standard network in the car and is also quite
popular in industrial environments.
CAN-FD: CAN Flexible Data Rate
CAN with flexible data rate
CAPL: Communication Access Programming Language
C-like programming language for developing automated tests and
simulations; CAPL was developed by Vector Informatik
CASE: Connectivity, Autonomy, Sharing, Electrification
CASE is the umbrella term for the major automotive trends around the
year 2020. In Japan, it is more commonly referred to as ACES
CC: Communication Criteria
General criteria for evaluating the security of information technology
CCP: CAN Calibration Protocol
CPP is the predecessor of XCP.
CCR: Car to Car Rear; C2C communication to the rear
CCU: Connectivity Control Unit (a term coined by Bosch)
Bosch central communication unit
CE4A: Consumer Electronics for Automotive
Working group of OEMs for active standardization of interfaces for mobile devices
CEN: Comité Européen de Normalisation
The standardization body is responsible for European standards (EN) in all technical areas except electrical engineering and telecommunications
CFG: Configurator/Configuration
Configurator/configuration or configuration data
CGW: Central Gateway (Module)
CID: Central (or Center) Information Display
The display in the center console
CIF: Camera Interface Module
C-ITS: Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems and Services
Cooperative intelligent transport systems and services (within the framework of C2X)
CMAC: Cipher-Based MAC
A MAC proposed for the upcoming version of the Autosar standard, based on AES
CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor
CMOS is currently the most widely used logic family.
CNN: Convolutional Neural Network
A form of implementation of neural networks used in artificial intelligence
for machine learning.
COMASSO: Common Autosar Standard Software
An initiative launched by Bosch to promote shared use and
implementation of the Autosar standard
CP: Car to Pedestrian
C2X communication with pedestrians
CRI: Color Rendering Index
Color rendering index; from a value of 80, color rendering is acceptable; from 90,
quite good
CTA: Cross Traffic Alert
Cross traffic alert
CTP: Capacitive Touch Panel
A CTP is an optical display unit that is also used for input commands via
hand. Beneath the surface is the matrix that capacitively
detects touch.
C-V2X: Cellular V2X
Using the technology known as C-V2X, a vehicle connects with practically everything:
with each other (V2V), with pedestrians (V2P), with road infrastructure (V2I) and with
the data transmission network (V2N).
CXPI: Clock Extension Peripheral Interface
An SAE standard that Cypress brought back into stronger focus in 2018: as a poten-
tial successor to LIN.
D
DA: Display Audio
In-vehicle unit to which the smartphone is connected via MirrorLink, CarPlay, etc.,
with the application running on the smartphone
DaaS: Device as a Service
An approach to provide everything as a service (in the cloud).
DAB: Digital Audio Broadcast
Digital radio. Potential successor to FM and medium-wave radio (FM/
AM)
DAC: Digital-to-Analog Converter
D/A converter. Very commonly used abbreviation
DAQ: Data Acquisition
(Packet) data acquisition, usually in the context of XCP
DAS: Driver Assist System
Driver assistance system. DAS is just as outdated as FAS. Today everyone talks about ADAS,
as DAS + environment sensing.
DBF: Digital Beam Forming
Digital shaping of the transmitted beam bundle makes it possible to transmit and receive (radar) waves
from different directions simultaneously.
DCU: Domain Control Unit
Domain control unit
DDD: Driver Drowsiness Detection
Driver drowsiness detection; attention assist.
DENIM: Decentralised Environment Notification Message
In the field of traffic connectivity, a standardized warning message contains
for example detailed information about a hazard location or the traffic situation
within the framework of C2X / V2X.
DevOps: Development – IT Operations
DevOps aims to improve the interaction between software development and
IT infrastructure.
DIA: Development Interface Agreements
Approx.: agreements in the area of development interfaces
DIS: Driver Information System
Driver information system: the left to middle part of the dashboard
DLC: Data Link Connector
Diagnostic connector
DM: Driver Monitoring
Driver monitoring
DMM: Driver Mode Manager
A term coined by TRW around the handover between human and vehicle
in automated driving
DNS: Domain Name System
Directory service on the Internet that assigns a plain name to an Internet address.
DoIP: Diagnostics over IP
Diagnostics via IP connection
DOT: >Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. has existed since 1967
and is headed by the Secretary of Transportation.
DPM: Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO)
In contrast to specifying defects per unit (defects/ppm), DPMO includes the number
of all possible defects per unit in order to make units of varying complexity
more comparable.
DSP: Digital Signal Processor
Digital signal processor
DSRC: Dedicated Short Range Communication
In American usage, DSRC is a Wi-Fi variant for ad hoc communication in
V2X
DUT: Device Under Test – test specimen
There are several terms for devices to be tested or devices under test.
SUT (system/software under test) or UUT (unit under test) are also common.
E
E/E: Electrical/electronics
E2E: End-to-end
Usually E2E communication: continuous from sender to receiver
EAL: Evaluation Assurance Level
Within the framework of the Common Criteria (CC), EAL defines seven levels of
trustworthiness from EAL 1 to EAL 7
E-Call: Emergency Call
The automatic emergency call system eCall has been mandatory in Europe for all
new vehicles since April 2018.
ECE: Economic Commission for Europe
ECE regulates uniform technical (vehicle) regulations that often extend far beyond the EU
and apply practically worldwide
ECU: Electronic Control Unit
Control unit (previously ECU referred only to the engine control unit)
EDE: ETAS Data Engine
ETAS Data Engine; an open-market solution developed jointly with Bosch for
fast Ethernet in the car
DER: Event Data Recorder
The data logger (also called a drive recorder) works in automobiles similarly to a
flight data recorder (black box) in an aircraft
EEE: Energy-efficient Ethernet
Energy-efficient Ethernet; currently not yet used in automobiles
EIA: Extended infotainment offering
. . .of the Volkswagen Group
EMC: Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMV (electromagnetic compatibility)
EMMC: Embedded Multimedia Card
Energy- and space-saving storage medium
EMV: Electromagnetic compatibility; see EMC
EoL: End of Line
End-of-line programming (only at the end of production)
EOS: Electrical Overstress
Electrical overstress
ES: Electrical Stress; electrical (over)stress
ESD: Electrostatic Discharge
Electrostatic discharge
ESDA: Electrostatic Discharge Organization
ESE: Embedded Secure Element
A type of chip card permanently installed in the system
ETSI: European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI defines standards in Europe in the field of telecommunications, for example
for GSM, LTE and others.
Euro-NCAP: European NCAP
European variant of NCAP
F
FAS: Driver assistance system
Driver assistance system, more of a pure end-customer term, but in the professional world rather
outdated; today: ADAS
FD-SOI: Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator
Manufacturing technology for transistors in technology nodes below 28 nm
FET: Field-effect transistor
Field-effect transistor
FFD: Free Form Display
Free-form display (also: curved)
FFT: Fast Fourier Transformation
Mathematical method for fast Fourier transformation
FIBEX: Field Bus Exchange Format
An XML-based standard developed by ASAM for describing
ECU networks
FM: Frequency modulation
Colloquially, FM is often used as a synonym for FM radio broadcasting.
FMI: Functional Mockup Interface
The standardized interface makes it possible to couple different simulation software
(multi-domain simulation).
FMU: Functional Mockup Unit
Single unit within the framework of FMI
FOT: Field Operational Test; field test
FOTA: Firmware over the air
Firmware updates over the air interface
FPC: Free Programmable Cluster
Freely programmable (display) cluster
FPC: Flexible Printed Circuit, flexible PCB
The flexible version of the PCB
FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array
IC in the field of programmable logic
FPK: Freely programmable instrument cluster
FSF: Free Software Foundation
The Free Software Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes the
development of free software.
FSK: Frequency Shift Keying;
Frequency shift keying
FTA: Failure Tree Analysis
Fault tree analysis is a method of reliability analysis of technical
plants and systems.
FTB: Failure Type Byte
Failure type byte (during testing)
G
GAN: Generative Adversarial Networks
GAN is a special algorithm for unsupervised learning.
GATT: Generic Attribute Profile
Bluetooth Low Energy devices (BLE) always connect via the GATT profile.
GCC: GNU Compiler Collection
The GNU Compiler Collection is a compiler suite of the GNU operating system and an
open compiler for C and other languages.
GDB: GNU Debugger
Open debugger that supports various programming languages such as, for example,
C, C++, Fortran or Java.
GDC: Graphic Display Controller
A term coined by Toshiba
GEPOF: Gigabit Ethernet over Plastic Optical Fiber
Gigabit Ethernet over POF
GFSK: Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying
Frequency shift keying with Gaussian filter
GLOSA: Green-Light-Optimal-Speed-Advisory
GLOSA is a system from C2I communication. It optimizes the
vehicle speed according to the traffic light phases.
GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System
GNSS is a collective term for global satellite navigation systems such as
NAVSTAR-GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe) and Beidou (China).
GNU: an open software project
GNU is an open, Linux-like operating system.
GPL: GNU General Public Licence
Licensing model for freely accessible software
GPS: Global Positioning System
System for satellite-based positioning; actually NAVSTAR GPS. See
GNSS
GPU: Graphics Processing Unit
Graphics processing unit; optimized for parallel processing
GUI: Graphical User Interface
Graphical interface for the user
H
HAD: Highly Automated Driving
Highly automated driving (HAF) describes the intermediate step between assisted
driving and autonomous driving.
HAF: Highly automated driving
See HAD; interestingly, HAF is often used more in German-speaking regions than HAD,
even though English terms otherwise dominate
HBM: Human Body Model
Model within the framework of ESD considerations
HHMI: HMI
Holistic HMI
HiL: Hardware-in-the-Loop
Electronic/electrical laboratory setup for testing and simulation, consisting of a
network of real ECUs and a simulated environment that mutually
influence each other.
HIS: Manufacturer initiative software: a committee founded by Audi,
BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen that advocates for uniform
software standards.
HMC: Hybrid Memory Cube
Memory chips stacked into a cube with extremely high overall
packing density
HMI: Human Machine Interface
Human-machine interface; a term originally protected by Siemens
HOG: Histogram of Oriented Gradients
Method used in pedestrian detection to compare detected images with
known characteristics of human body shapes and movements.
HSM: Hardware Security Module
A (central) security module implemented in hardware (integrated circuit or ex-
ternal peripheral device) within the framework of cybersecurity
HU: Head Unit; central infotainment element
Hud, HUD: Head-Up Display
Data projection onto the windshield, with the focal plane located in front of the hood.
I
iAP: iOS Connectivity Accessory Protocol
Protocol for connecting Apple devices (for example to infotainment)
IBC: Initial Boot Code
ICOM: Intelligent CAN Controller
Intelligent CAN controller (within the framework of pretended networking)
IdDD: Internet of things and services
IDIS: Integrated Driver Information System, integrated DIS
Output unit of the infotainment system
IDL: Interface Description Language
Description language for interfaces
IDPS: Intrusion Detection and Prevention System
Security system for detecting and preventing intrusion (attempts) into a
system.
IDS: Interactive Driving System, interactive driving system
A special chassis system
IECP: Integrated Electronic Control Panel
Center console full of electronics
IGBT: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
Bipolar transistor with insulated gate electrode
IOE: Internet of Everything
Internet of things; with its own IP address, the vehicle becomes part of the IOE
IOT: Interoperability Test
Interoperability test
IOT: Internet of Things
Internet of things
IP: Internet Protocol
Network protocol; the foundation of the Internet
IP: Intellectual Property
Intellectual property
IPR: Intellectual Property Rights
Rights to intellectual property
IPT: Inductive Power Transfer
Inductive power transfer
IS: Information security; better known as “security”
ISELED: Digitally controllable LED from Innova Semiconductors
The new digital ISELED includes a tiny controller chip and three colored
LEDs (RGB) in a very compact package.
ISF: Infotainment Specification Format
An open format specified within the automotive HMI project
ISM: Industrial/Scientific/Medical
License-free frequency band
ISP: Internet Service Provider
ISS: Instruction Set Simulation/Simulator
Instruction set simulator
ITE: Integrated Test Design Environment
Integrated environment for test design and test execution, a product from Vector
Informatik
IST: Intelligent Transformation System
Subgroup of ETSI that deals, for example, with C2X and ADAS.
IVER: Integration Vehicle Engineering Release
IVI: In-Vehicle Infotainment
Infotainment system within the vehicle
IVI: Interchangeable Virtual Instruments
Software according to the specifications of the IVI Foundation for connecting any
hardware to any software
J
JEDEC: Joint Electron Device Engineering Council
The US organization for standardizing semiconductors
JIT: Just-in-Time
Used in manufacturing (delivery only at the time a part is
needed), and in software development (JIT compilers translate code only
at runtime of a program)
JSON: JavaScript Object Notation
Text-based data format for data exchange
K
KBA: Federal Motor Transport Authority
KIT: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Area of the University of Karlsruhe that is very active in automotive
KWP: Keyword Protocol 2000: an old/outdated diagnostic standard
L
LAN: Local Area Network
Local network
LBS: Location-Based Services
Services that operate based on current geo-coordinates (e.g., “Where is the nearest
pharmacy?”)
LCV: Low-Cost Vehicle, extremely low-cost vehicle
The best-known representative of the LCV class is the Tata Nano
LDR: Light Dependent Resistor
Photoresistor; a light-sensitive component. The resistance of the LDR decreases the
more light shines on it; the principle of the LDR is based on the internal photoelectric
effect.
LED: Light Emitting Diode
Light-emitting diode
LIN: Local Interconnect Network
LIN bus: the vehicle bus for low-cost communication
LoKI: List of Known Issues
Approx.: list of known issues; within the framework of Autosar, maintenance is carried out via LoKI
LTE: Long-Term Evolution
Broadband access via mobile communications (successor to 3G, predecessor to 5G)
LWS: Steering angle sensor
Modern term: steering angle sensor
LXC: Linux Container Architecture
LXI: LAN Extensions for Instrumentation
Standard for networking measurement instruments via Ethernet
M
M2M: Machine to Machine
M2M communication refers to communication between two machines,
for example between the ADAS system in the car and a computer connected via the Internet
MaaS: Mobility as a Service
Mobility as a service
MAC: Media Access Control
Hardware address; serves as a unique identifier of the device
MAC: Message Authentication Codes
(here: within the framework of V2X)
MC: Medium Compact
The mid-size vehicle class (B segment, mid-size) within the SC/CC/MC/UC/SUV classification
MCAL: Microcontroller Abstraction Layer
Approx.: abstraction layer for microcontrollers; hardware-specific drivers for
microcontrollers within the framework of Autosar
MCU: Microcontroller Unit
Microcontroller (µC)
MIB: Modular infotainment toolkit (of the VW Group)
MID: Molded Interconnect Device
Injection-molded circuit carriers; a kind of 3D PCB that allows entirely new
forms
MIL: Model-in-the-Loop
Test within the framework of model-based software development (umbrella term: XiL)
MILS: Multiple Independent Levels of Security
See EURO-MILS
MLB: Modular longitudinal matrix
MLB (of the Volkswagen Group) for vehicles in the B to D segments: the engine is
installed longitudinally
MMI: Man Machine Interface
Interface between human and machine, essentially the HMI. MMI is a term coined by Audi,
which the OEM also had protected.
MMIC: Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit
Essentially a high-frequency or microwave IC
MMS: Mirror Monitor System: rear-view mirror with integrated monitor
MOB: Mobile online toolkit (within the VW Group)
MOSFET: Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor
A type of power semiconductor
MOST: Media-Oriented System Transport
Data bus for infotainment that is no longer used for new designs;
functional successor: automotive Ethernet.
MPC: Multi-Purpose Camera
Multifunction camera that can implement two safety or comfort functions in parallel,
successor to the DPC
MPU: Memory Protection Unit
Memory protection unit; also important for securely separating software modules within the
framework of Autosar
MQB: Modular transverse matrix
(of the Volkswagen Group) for vehicles in the A0 to C segments: the engine is
installed transversely
MSB: Modular standard drivetrain matrix
(of the Volkswagen Group): for vehicles in the D and E segments
MTBF: Mean Time Between Failures
Average service life/operating time between failures of components, systems
and other components.
MVCI: Modular Vehicle Communication Interface
Modular vehicle interface
MY: Model Year; model year
N
NCAP: New Car Assessment Program
Safety rating of cars by an American consumer protection
organization; in Europe, Euro NCAP is relevant
NDS: Navigation Data Standard
File format that is independent of the map supplier. Standardization is carried out by
the NDS Association.
NFC: Near Field Communication
Near-field communication based on RFID technology
NGTP: Next Generation Telematics Pattern
Open framework on the basis of which manufacturers such as Audi or BMW connect their vehicles
NHTSA: National Highway + Safety Agency
US agency that deals with safety-relevant topics
NIR: Near Infrared
Near-infrared technology; this term may disappear in favor of NV
NLP: Natural Language Processing
Machine language processing within the framework of computational linguistics
NLU: Natural Language Understanding
Natural-language speech understanding (even with imperfect pronunciation)
NSF: New Small Family
Name of the Volkswagen platform for vehicles below MQB such as, for example, the Up
NTF: No Trouble Found
No fault found
NV: Night Vision
Night vision
NVC: Night Vision Camera
Night vision camera
NVH: Noise/Vibration/Harshness
Subject area noise/vibration/harshness
O
OAA: Open Automotive Alliance
An alliance founded by Audi, GM, Google, Honda, Hyundai and GM with the goal of
bringing the Android operating system into the car
OABR: Open Alliance BroadR-Reach
A point-to-point connection that is logically a bus system; therefore
OABR is also seen in the same league as CAN, LIN, etc.
OBC: On-Board Computer
Embedded computer in aircraft, cars, etc.
OBD: On-board diagnostics
for emissions-relevant systems
OBD2: On-Board Diagnosis 2
OBD2 is the standard connector in the vehicle for external diagnostics of emissions-rele-
vant data
OBU: On-Board Unit
Device in the vehicle (for V2X, etc.)
OCU: Online Connectivity Unit
Internet access unit for vehicle-specific (grey) services (a term coined by
Volkswagen)
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer
Here: automotive manufacturer
OES: Original Equipment Services
Analogous to OEM, but with services instead of goods
OLED: Organic LED
Organic light-emitting diodes
OOP: Occupant out of position
Passenger not in the correct position (in connection with seatbelt pretensioner and airbag)
OPEN: One Pair EtherNet
Open Alliance SIG; this alliance is dedicated to promoting Ethernet in the car via unshielded
two-wire lines
OPS: Optical Position Sensor
OS: Operating System
Operating system
OSI: Open Systems Interconnection
Layer model for network control
OSLC: Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration
OSS: Open-source software
OTA: Over the air
Mostly as OTA updates over the air interface
OTX: Open Test sequence eXchange Format
Standard (format) for the formal description of diagnostic and test sequences
P
PCB: Printed Circuit Board; circuit board
PCU: Power Conversion Unit
Bosch’s term for the DC/DC converter between the 48 V and 12 V on-board electrical systems
PDU: Protocol Data Unit
A PDU is a data record in network protocols.
PFS: Parametric Free Space
a special map format that can be used in automated driving
can
PIL: Processor-in-the-Loop
Test as part of model-based software development
PiP: Picture in Picture
Picture-in-picture
PIR: Passive Infrared
Passive infrared (sensors)
PKI: Public Key Infrastructure
System for issuing cryptographic certificates
PLC: Powerline Communication
Data transmission via the power grid
PLCA: Physical Layer Collision Avoidance
PMB: Photonic Mixing Device
an optical sensor based on the time-of-flight method that emits self-modulated light and then measures the transit time (Time of Flight). See ToF sensor
PMHF: Probabilistic Metric for random Hardware Failures
Residual error rate
PMT: Process Methods and Tools
POF: Plastic Optical Fiber
Plastic optical waveguide (as opposed to glass fiber); sometimes also called polymer
optical fiber
PPAP: Production Part Approval Process
Production part approval process
PPG: Photoplethysmography
Principle for determining heart rate via changes in heart rate
PPV: Product/Process Validation Vehicle
Vehicle for validating a product or a process
PQC: Post-Quantum Cryptography
Encryption algorithms that are intended to withstand even quantum computers.
PRESERVE: Preparing Secure Vehicle-to-X Communication Systems
Project for secure data transmission in the context of C2X
PSD: Position-sensitive Detector
Position sensor
PTC: Programming through connector
Protocol for programming (calibration) via the connectors – for example
for Hall sensors
PUF: Physically Unclonable Functions
physically unclonable functions in the context of cryptography
Q
QM: Quality management
- e.g. in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9000
R
RBS: Residual bus simulation
RCP: Rapid Control Prototyping
RDS: Radio Data System (in FM radio)
REST: Representional State Transfer
REST is a programming paradigm for distributed systems
RFID: Radio Requency Identification
Radio technology for identification/communication over fairly short distances
RGB: Red/Green/Blue
for example in driver ICs for displays or LEDs
RNN: Recurrent Neural Network
Recurrent neural network
RSA: RSA
The encryption method named after its developers Rivest, Shamir and Adleman is still considered secure with very large key lengths. See
also AES.
RSU: Roadside Unit
Roadside beacons (as part of C2X)
RTE: Runtime Environment
Runtime environment, e.g. as part of AUTOSAR
RTK: Real-Time Kinematics
High-precision multi-band GNSS receivers allow simultaneous reception of
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou for real-time kinematics (RTK).
RTOS: Realtime Operating System
Real-time operating system
RTPGA: Reduced Twisted Pair Gigabit Ethernet
IEEE 802.3bp working group for standardizing gigabit Ethernet for cars
RV: Rear View
Reversing camera or rear view
RVD: Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Remote vehicle diagnostics – for example via GSM
RWT: Remote Wireless Tampering
Remote attack on an electronic system via the air interface
RWW: Road Works Warning
Road works warning – a C2X application
S
SAAM: Software Assuarance Maturity Model
Maturity model for ensuring software quality
SaaS: Software as a service
Software as a service in the context of cloud computing
SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers
Association of (American) automotive engineers
SBC: System Basis Chip
contains the longer-lived automotive part when connecting chips from the consumer
world
SBSA: Side Blind Spot Alert
Blind spot warning
SC: Subcompact
the lower vehicle class (A0 segment, small cars) within the SC/CC/
MC/UC/SUV classification
SCC: Smart Charging Communication
A term coined by Vector Informatik for communication at charging stations in the
context of DIN SPEC 70121 and ISO/ICE 15118
SCCM: Steering Column Control Module
Steering column switch
SCMS: Security Credential Management System
SCSM is an information security solution for V2V
SD: Service Discovery
Service Discovery (SD) provides functions for offering and finding available
services within an Ethernet network.
SDARS: Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services
a satellite-based radio system in North America
SDK: Software Development Kit
SDM: Software-defined Modern
SDS: Self-Driving System
a term coined by Volkswagen.
SDU: Service Data Unit
a network protocol concept
SE: Safe Exit
a warning when a cyclist, car, etc. passes by as the car door is opened
SecForCARs: Security for connected automated cars
a publicly funded project in the area of security for connected automated
vehicles.
SENT: Single-Edge Nibble Transmission Protocol
digital sensor interface
SERDES: Serializer/Deserializer
Interface module for parallel and serial data transmission
SEVECOM: Secure Vehicle Communication
an EU-funded project on secure vehicle communication
SGeT: Standardization Group for embedded Technologies
SGeT is a registered association
SHE: Secure Hardware Extension
a cryptographic coprocessor defined by the HIS consortium that is integrated as part of chips
SiC: Silicon carbide
Semiconductor material with a wide band gap
SIG: Special Interest Group
A SIG is a kind of working group that deals with a specific topic
and often develops and defines standards – for example ““OPEN Alliance SIG““
or ““Bluetooth SIG““
SiL: Software-in-the-Loop
A special software element for testing and simulation in the context of model-based
software development. Umbrella term: XiL
SIL: Safety Integrity Level
Safety level in the context of functional safety (Safety)
simTD: Safe Intelligent Mobility – Test Field Germany
a research project around C2X
SMD: Suface-mounted Device
Surface-mounted component
SMPS: Switching mode Power Supply
Switching converter; switched-mode power supply
SMT: Surface Mounting Technology
Technology for surface mounting of components, colloquially: for mounting SMDs
SMT: Simultaneous Multithreading
Simultaneous multithreading (enables execution of multiple instructions from multiple
threads per clock cycle)
SOA: Service-Oriented Architectures
Service-oriented architectures
SOAP: Simple Object Access Protocol
A network protocol
SoC: System on Chip
Very complex IC, a system on a chip
SOME/IP: Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware on Ethernet / IP
a service-oriented protocol developed by BMW that is used in the context of Ethernet in
cars
SOP: Start of Production
Start of production of a new vehicle series
SORP: Start of regular production
Start of actual series production
SOTIF: Safety of the Intended Functionality
SOTIF roughly means ““safety of the intended functionality or the
intended function““
SPAT: Signal-Phase and Timing
Message about the traffic light phase and timing in the context of C2X
SPC: Smart Parking Content Provider
Supplier of content data for smart parking (a term coined by Bosch)
SPE: Solid Polymer Electrochemical (Sensor)
SPM: Security Policy Management
SSD: Solid State Disk
Mass storage based purely on semiconductor technology.
SSL: Secure Socket Layer
Older term for TLS.
SSTS: Subsystem Technical Specifications
Technical specification of a subsystem
SUI: Speech User Interface
Application interface for voice input – analogous to the GUI.
SuT: System under Test
the system currently under test, analogous to DuT
SV: Surround View
Surround view or surround-view camera
SWC: Software Component
(Application) software component in the context of AUTOSAR
SZ: Safety goal
(in the context of ISO 26262)
T
TAL: Trust Assurance Level
roughly: security level
TAP: Test Access Point
Test access point
TCB: Trusted Computing Base
roughly: all safety-critical hardware, firmware and software components
TCP: Transmission Control Protocol
Transmission control protocol
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
While TCP occupies only the transport layer in the network protocol layer model,
TCP/IP comprises a group of network protocols. At its core, it consists of the
Internet Protocol (IP), the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the User Datagram
Protocol (UDP) and the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP). In a broader sense,
the entire Internet protocol family is also referred to as TCP/IP.
TCU: Telematics Control Unit
Telematics control unit; a term coined by Visteon
TDE: Test Diagram Editor
Diagram editor for tests; element of a test environment
TDM: Test Data Management
Test data management
tFT: Typical Failure Threshold
Typical error limits
TJA: Traffic Jam Assist
Traffic jam assist
TLS: Transport Layer Security
An encryption protocol for secure transmission of data, for example over
the Internet.
TMC: Trafic Massage Channel
Traffic data broadcast via RDS
TMS: Thermal Management System
Thermal management system
ToF: Time of Flight
ToF sensor, optical time-of-flight sensor; usually referred to as PMD.
TPEG: Transport Protocol Experts Group
Under the umbrella organization TISA, the TPEG experts within CEN also coordinate
standards in the context of C2X.
TPM: Trusted Platform Module
Semiconductor chip that can serve as a kind of security anchor
TPU: Tensor Processing Unit
Tensor processors: chips developed by Google for AI and machine learning
TR: Technical Report
Technical report
TRA: Threat and Risk Analysis
Attack and risk analysis; the security counterpart to HARA
TSDP: Telematics Service Delivery Platform
based on NGTP
TSN: Time-Sensitive Network
time-sensitive Ethernet extension
TSP: Telematics Service Provider
TSR: Traffic Sign Recognition
Traffic sign recognition
TTC: Time till Collision
Remaining time until collision
TTCCP: Time to critical collision probabilty
Remaining time until a possible critical collision
TTFF: Time to first fix
Time to first position fix (with GPS)
TTM: Time-to-Market
The time from product development to placing the product on the market.
TTS: Time till/to Steering
Remaining time until (forced) steering intervention (analogous to TTC)
TTSF: Time to subsequent fix
Time to a subsequent position fix (with GPS)
U
UC: Upper Class
the upper vehicle class (upper mid-range to premium, from C segment) within the
SC/CC/MC/UC/SUV classification
UDS: Unified Diagnostic Services
a description of diagnostic services based on KWP2000 in the context of ISO
14229
UI: User Interface
Application interface
UKW: Ultra-short wave
“The” FM radio band in the 100 MHz range, in which, at least in Germany, most (car) radios are still received
UML: Unified Modeling Language
UPnP: Universal Plug & Play
Standard for communication
USDOT: United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. has existed since 1967
and is headed by the Secretary of Transportation.
UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair
(Ethernet over) unshielded twisted pair
UWB: Ultra Wide Band
Ultra-wideband technology
UX: User Experience
V
V2/V2: Vehicle to Infrastructure to Vehicle
Communication from the vehicle to the infrastructure and back again
V2B: Vehicle to Backend
Communication between vehicle and backend
V2C: Vehicle to Cloud
Communication between the vehicle and the cloud
V2G: Vehicle to Grid
Feeding energy into the power grid from an EV’s car battery:
essentially a form of BPT.
V2I: Vehicle to Infrastructure
(Communication from the) vehicle to the infrastructure, see C2I
V2N: Vehicle to Network
Communication of the vehicle with the network (and thus the Internet)
V2P: Vehicle to Pedestrain
Communication of the vehicle with pedestrians
V2V: Vehicle to Vehicle
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication; see C2C
V2X: Vehicle to everything
V2X or C2X refers to the data connection of a vehicle with any
other entity.
VAP: Virtual Validation Platform
VCF: Vehicle Communication Framework
VCI: Vehicle Communication interface
Vehicle communication interfaces: between a diagnostic tester and the
vehicle electronics
VCU: Vehicle Control Unit
Higher-level vehicle control computer
VDA: German Association of the Automotive Industry; also hosts the IAA every year
(passenger cars and commercial vehicles)
VDK: Virtual Development Kit
virtual software development kit that contains a virtual prototype as the hardware
target object
VECU: Virtual ECU
virtual ECU, sometimes also vECU or V-ECU
VFB: Virtual Functional Bus
virtual functional bus in the context of AUTOSAR
VICS: Vehicle Information and Communication System
an infrastructure program of the Japanese government that enables individual
communication between the traffic control system and vehicle navigation systems
VID: Vehicle Identifier
Vehicle identification number (see VIN)
VIN: Vehicle Identification Number
Vehicle ID no. (see VID)
VIP: Virtual Integration Platform
a product by Vector Informatik
VIRC: Vibrating Intrinsic Reverberation Chamber
Mobile MVK in the context of EMC measurement
VIT: Virtual Integration and Test Platform
VLAN: Virtual LAN; virtual LAN
VLS: Traffic control system
VM: Virtual Machine (software)
VNC: Virtual Network Computing
displays a computer’s screen content on a second computer; inputs
go from the second to the first computer
VRTE: Vehicle Runtime Environment
Base software framework; a term coined by Bosch
VT: Virtual Test System
virtual test or virtual test system
VUT: Vehicle under Test; vehicle currently being tested
W
WBG: Wide Band Gap
Semiconductors with a wide band gap such as SiC and GaN.
WEBINOS: Secure Web Operating System Application Delivery Environment
an EU initiative for an open-source platform and software components –
also for cars
WWH-OBD: Worldwide Harmonized On-Board Diagnostics
X
X2V: X to Vehicle
Communication of any system with the vehicle; see C2X
XA: Intersection Assist
Intersection assist
XaaS: Everything/Anything as a Service
Hardware as a service, essentially hardware by subscription. All of this in the context of Everything as
a Service
XiL: X-in-the-Loop
the umbrella term for MiL, SiL or HiL test environments
XIP: Execute in Place
External program code execution
XML: Extensible Mark-up Language
XoIP: XCP over IP
XCP over an IP connection
Z
zFAS: central driver assistance system ECU (at Audi)
