KCU Vehicle Control Unit: KCU GEN1 and KCU GEN2 Specifications
KopherBit KCU GEN1 and KCU GEN2 are vehicle control units (Vehicle Control Unit).This article compiles the processor, power supply, I/O, communication interface, mechanism and environmental specifications of the two generations of products to assist system integration engineers in selection and introduction.
Summary
KCU is a vehicle control unit (VCU) developed by KopherBit.KCU GEN1 adopts NXP MPC5744P (200 MHz) plus NXP S32K118 safety processor, providing 4×CAN 2.0B, 1×LIN, as well as 15 analog, 44 digital, 4 frequency inputs and 28 high/low drive outputs, suitable for general vehicle control applications.KCU GEN2 is upgraded to Infineon TC387QP (300 MHz), the memory is expanded to 10 MB Flash / 1.5 MB RAM, CAN FD and 1×Ethernet are added, and EDR (Event Data Recorder) and EVCC (Electric Vehicle Communication Controller) charging communication functions are optional, locking the integration needs of electric vehicles and higher bandwidth.
Technical Role
KCU plays the role of universal vehicle controller in the vehicle E/E architecture: responsible for reading sensors, controlling actuators, exchanging data with other ECUs through CAN/LIN, and executing AUTOSAR application layer SWC.GEN1 corresponds to traditional fuel vehicles and general electronic control needs; GEN2 additionally supports CAN FD and Ethernet high-bandwidth communication, and covers ISO 15118 V2G charging communication through the optional EVCC module, which can be used as an EV vehicle or subsystem controller.
Both generations can be used with KopherBit’s KopherSAR basic software, KopherConfig configuration tool, KopherBoot Bootloader and KopherUDS for programming, diagnosis and adjustment, and implement the AUTOSAR Classic application development process.
Architecture
| Mods | Characters |
|---|---|
| Main MCU | Execute application layer SWC, AUTOSAR RTE, vehicle control logic.GEN1: NXP MPC5744P; GEN2: Infineon TC387QP. |
| Safety MCU | GEN1 dedicated: NXP S32K118, independent safety processor, separating safety and general functions.GEN2 integrates safety mechanisms into TC387QP. |
| Power Domain | 9–36 V wide input, supplies 5 V sensor power (GEN1: Group 5; GEN2: Group 4) and internal MCU. |
| Analog/Digital/Frequency Inputs | Signal conditioning and protection circuit, connected to vehicle sensors. |
| High-Side / Low-Side Drivers | Drive relays, motors, lamps and other actuators. Some channels support PWM. |
| Communication | CAN / CAN FD / LIN / Ethernet (GEN2 only), connects to the vehicle network, diagnostic tools, and external modules. |
| Optional Modules (GEN2) | EDR event data recording, EVCC charging communication; as optional functions in Phase B design. |
| Bootloader / Calibration | UDS programming, XCP measurement and calibration. |
Key Capabilities
- 9–36 V wide voltage input, compatible with 12 V / 24 V models.
- Multi-channel input: analog, digital (MSDI), and frequency input coexist, covering common vehicle sensor types.
- High/low drive output, some channels have PWM, which can directly drive the actuator load.
- AUTOSAR Classic software is compatible with KopherSAR and KopherConfig for SWC, ARXML and signal matrix configuration.
- UDS Bootloader supports OTA/offline programming; XCP supports real-time calibration and measurement.
- Industrial grade wide temperature operation -40 ℃ to +85 ℃, IP6K7 / IP6K9K protection, compliant with ISO 16750, ISO 7637, CISPR 25.
- GEN2 additionally provides CAN FD, Ethernet, and optional EDR, EVCC (ISO 15118 V2G).
KCU GEN1 and KCU GEN2 specifications comparison
| Project | KCU GEN1 | KCU GEN2 (Phase B) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Processor | NXP MPC5744P | Infineon TC387QP |
| Safety Processor | NXP S32K118 (standalone) | Integrated in TC387QP |
| CPU Clock | 200 MHz | 300 MHz |
| Memory | Flash 2.5 MB / RAM 384 KB | Flash 10 MB / RAM 1.5 MB |
| Supply Voltage | DC 9–36 V | DC 9–36 V |
| Sensor Supply (5 V) | 5 sets | 4 sets |
| Analog Inputs | 15 | 20 |
| Digital Inputs (MSDI) | 44 | 22 |
| Frequency Inputs | 4 | 4 |
| Low-Side Drivers | 18 (including 4×PWM) | 28 (PWM) |
| High-Side Drivers | 10 (including 3×PWM) | 6 (PWM) |
| CAN | 4×CAN 2.0B (3 user + 1 debug) | 4×CAN 2.0B / FD |
| LIN | 1×LIN Master | 1×LIN Master |
| Ethernet | None | 1×ETH |
| Optional Modules | — | EDR, EVCC (optional) |
| Connector | Tyco Electronics 121-pin | Molex 112-pin |
| Mechanism (Size) | 141.8 × 175.3 × 37 mm | 141.8 × 175.3 × 37 mm (TBD) |
| Weight (Weight) | 756.4 g | 800 g (TBD) |
| Housing material | Aluminum Alloy 383 (ADC12) | Aluminum Alloy 383 (ADC12) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 ℃ ~ +85 ℃ | -40 ℃ ~ +85 ℃ (TBD) |
| Storage Temperature | -40 ℃ ~ +85 ℃ | -40 ℃ ~ +85 ℃ (TBD) |
| Protection level | IP6K7, IP6K9K | IP6K7, IP6K9K (TBD) |
| Regulatory Compliance | ISO 16750, ISO 7637, CISPR 25 | ISO 16750, ISO 7637, CISPR 25 (TBD) |
| Humidity | 0–95 % non-condensing | 0–95 % non-condensing (TBD) |
| Bootloader | UDS | UDS |
| Calibration |
The fields marked (TBD) are based on the KCU Gen2 PhaseB Technical Reference internal specifications page. The official mass production specifications are still subject to subsequent Release versions.
Engineering Inputs Required
| Client provides input | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Signal matrix (DBC / ARXML) | Define CAN / CAN FD / LIN communication matrix and generate COM and PduR configuration. |
| I/O mapping table | Map actual sensors and actuators to KCU pin, AI/DI/FI channels. |
| DTC List + DID List | Set UDS Diagnostic Codes and data identification codes to connect DEM / DCM. |
| Safety Goals / TARA / HARA | Evaluate whether GEN1 needs to switch the security function to S32K118; GEN2 evaluates the security partition and monitoring strategy. |
| Bootloader process requirements | Client burning tool, diagnostic service scope (e.g. SecurityAccess), Flash section configuration. |
| EVCC / EDR requirements (GEN2 only) | Confirm whether to use V2G, ISO 15118-2/-20 corresponding protocol, or event recording storage scale. |
How KopherBit Supports This
- Hardware: KCU GEN1 / GEN2 mass production level controller, Pin definition can be adjusted according to customer BOM and organizational requirements.
- Basic software: KopherSAR (AUTOSAR Classic BSW), built-in CAN/CAN FD/LIN/Eth communication stack, diagnostic service, and NM network management.
- Configuration Tool: KopherConfig for SWC, signal matrix and BSW configuration; Kopher SWC Designer / Network Designer to accelerate modeling.
- Bootloader/Diagnosis: KopherBoot provides UDS-based bootloader; KopherUDS serves as the diagnostic host computer.
- Charging communication (GEN2 EVCC optional): KopherV2G provides ISO 15118-2/-20, SDP, TLS, EXI software stacking.
- Verification: KCU Gen2 Testbench and internal test frameworks such as PLC Firmware tooling and Charging Plug Lock Test assist customers in completing system integration verification.
FAQ
How to choose between KCU GEN1 and KCU GEN2?
If the application is mainly based on traditional CAN communication, a fixed number of ECUs, and does not require Ethernet or V2G charging communication, KCU GEN1 is enough to cover it; if it requires CAN FD high-bandwidth communication, Ethernet central connection, EV charging communication (ISO 15118), or larger memory to support future function expansion, it is recommended to choose KCU GEN2.
Does KCU support AUTOSAR Classic?
yes.Both generations of KCU are integrated with KopherSAR (KopherBit’s own AUTOSAR Classic BSW), providing RTE, COM, PduR, CanIf, UDS and other modules, and can be configured through KopherConfig.
KCU GEN1 Why do we need two MCUs?
KCU GEN1 handles the security functions by an independent NXP S32K118, isolating it from the MPC5744P main application MCU, which can reduce the risk of mutual interference.KCU GEN2 adopts Infineon TC387QP, integrates the security partition on the same MCU, and uses its multi-core and Lock-Step hardware mechanisms to support functional safety strategies.
KCU Are the EVCC and EDR functions of GEN2 built-in?
Both are optional modules in Phase B designs.EVCC is used for electric vehicle charging communication (DC/AC, according to customer selection ISO 15118-2 / -20); EDR is used for event data recording.It needs to be optionally enabled during import according to customer needs.
What diagnostic and calibration support can be provided?
Both generations of KCU support UDS Bootloader (ISO 14229) and XCP calibration (ASAM XCP).ECU programming, DTC reading, measurement and calibration processes can be carried out through KopherUDS and XCP tools.
What are the working environment conditions at KCU?
Operating temperature -40 ℃ to +85 ℃, storage temperature -40 ℃ to +85 ℃; protection class IP6K7 / IP6K9K; complies with ISO 16750 (vehicle environmental conditions), ISO 7637 (electrical interference), CISPR 25 (vehicle EMC); humidity 0–95 % non-condensing.The final mass production specifications of GEN2 are currently based on the KCU Gen2 PhaseB specifications, and the official mass production version will be subject to subsequent Release.
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