Applied Sciences | Open Access |

Secure and Fault-Tolerant Automotive E/E Architectures: Enhancing CAN-FD, FlexRay, and TSN Networks through Intrusion Detection and Redundant Processing

Dr. Rhea Kapoor , Institute of Automotive Systems, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Abstract

This article synthesizes and advances current engineering and theoretical approaches to resilient, high-performance in-vehicle electronic/electrical (E/E) architectures by integrating three complementary streams of research: (1) message packing and scheduling for CAN-FD and FlexRay networks, (2) centralized and zonal E/E architecture paradigms with Ethernet/TSN considerations, and (3) processor-level fault tolerance and concurrent error detection strategies. Through a detailed conceptual methodology that combines scheduling theory, topology verification, gateway design, and redundant processor organisation, the paper develops a unified framework for designing automotive communication stacks that maximize bandwidth utilization while preserving timing determinism and safety. The framework proposes concrete, textually described algorithms for frame packing, offset assignment, dynamic segment scheduling, and topology-aware intrusion detection; it also prescribes architectural patterns for zonal controllers that leverage dual-core lockstep, watchdog processors, and redundant multi-threading to achieve robust error detection and recovery. Key findings—derived from rigorous cross-reference of prior empirical and theoretical studies—show that careful signal offset assignment and topology verification significantly increase CAN-FD effective throughput (Bordoloi & Samii, 2014; Joshi et al., 2019; Yu & Wang, 2019), while centralized E/E approaches coupled with TSN and AVB provide scalable low-latency backbones for high-bandwidth sensor fusion (Migge et al., 2018; Bandur et al., 2021). Processor-level redundancy strategies such as dual-core lockstep and redundant multi-threading remain effective fault-detection mechanisms provided their integration considers instruction-level fault propagation and single-event effects (Mahmood & McCluskey, 1988; Maniatakos et al., 2011; Medina et al., 2016). The article concludes with design recommendations, limitations, and directions for experimental validation.

Keywords

CAN-FD frame packing, zonal E/E architectures, TSN/AVB, intrusion detection

References

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Dr. Rhea Kapoor. (2024). Secure and Fault-Tolerant Automotive E/E Architectures: Enhancing CAN-FD, FlexRay, and TSN Networks through Intrusion Detection and Redundant Processing. The American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(02), 16–22. Retrieved from https://theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajas/article/view/6956