FAQs- eSync Technology
What is eSync?
What makes eSync technology different?
How is eSync architected?
Does eSync require specific hardware?
Does eSync require a specific operating system?
Does eSync work on a specific cloud infrastructure?
The eSync specifications do not bind the eSync Server to any particular cloud infrastructure. Implementations can be cloud-specific or cloud-agnostic. To date eSync Servers have been deployed on 4 public clouds worldwide, as well as OEM private clouds.
How does eSync support numerous devices in the vehicle?
The eSync architecture uses Agents distributed throughout the in-vehicle network, to do the majority of update tasks. These Agents can reside in the edge devices (domain master ECUs, ECUs, smart sensors), or can be placed on network nodes near to the edge devices that they update. Updates to many devices are processed in parallel by these numerous Agents, so that vehicle downtimes are effectively minimized.
How does eSync support safety domain updates?
The eSync data pipeline makes use of the construct of “policy” in the processes of updating devices. Policy can differ for devices and domains throughout the vehicle. Agents for safety-critical devices can implement more stringent policies regarding required vehicle state before updates begin, rollback in event of failure, and even security. Also multiple dependent devices can be defined so that full software integrity can be assured when updating safety systems comprised of multiple independent devices.
How does eSync manage updating of multiple dependent devices?
Within the eSync platform software for different devices can be bundled into “packages”, with dependencies and sequences-of-installation defined as a policy of the package. If any software component in the package is not successfully installed, then the entire package is identified as a failed update, and all devices are rolled back to their last valid software.
Does eSync use Delta Compression?
eSync specifications support, but do not require, the use of delta compression. Most commercial deployments of eSync to date have used delta compression to reduce wireless bandwidth consumption.
Has eSync seen commercial deployments?
Yes. The first vehicles deployed with eSync OTA began shipping in the spring of 2019. In these luxury SUVs eSync is used to update 33 separate electronic devices. By mid-2020 five automakers from China, Europe and Japan had adopted eSync OTA for production vehicles, forecasting that 10 million cars with eSync OTA will be on the roads in the near future.
Membership in the eSync Alliance is open to all companies. OEMs, Tier1s, software and hardware vendors, and cloud service providers are welcome to participate in the eSync Platform. Membership in the eSync Alliance gives you the opportunity to collaborate with other members in the eSync ecosystem.