A high-IO, multi-bus automotive domain controller based on the 80-pin SmartWheels S32K344 platform. With 4 independent CAN channels, a full LIN interface, and 28 IO lines, it handles the heavy lifting of multi-ECU coordination — so your domain architecture doesn't need a custom board.
Based on SmartWheels S32K344 Platform
Hardware Specifications
Four independent CAN channels and 28 IO lines on a single board — enough to run a full body domain without stacking multiple ECUs.
ARM Cortex-M7 @ 160 MHz | ASIL-D Ready | 4× CAN including Isolated CAN & CAN FD up to 5 Mbps
| CORE | |
| Microcontroller | NXP S32K344 (ARM Cortex-M7, 160 MHz, ASIL-D Ready) |
| Power Supply | 7 V – 28 V, 30 A max. Reverse polarity & current protection, under-voltage protection, 1000 A TVS surge protection, input voltage & current monitoring. |
| CAN INTERFACES | |
| Isolated CAN | CAN 2.0B — Galvanic isolation. Ideal for powertrain / engine network separation. |
| Standard CAN | CAN 2.0B — Body / chassis network. Low-latency peer-to-peer. |
| CAN FD | Up to 5 Mbps — High-speed network for ADAS / sensor fusion. Backward compatible with CAN 2.0B. |
| Diagnostics CAN | CAN 2.0B — Dedicated UDS diagnostics channel. Isolate diagnostic traffic from operational buses. |
| LIN INTERFACE | |
| LIN | 1× LIN Master / Slave — Connect body sensors, seat modules, mirror controllers, and lighting actuators directly. |
| DIGITAL I/O | |
| Digital Inputs | 16× DI — High-speed configurable (5 V, 12 V, 32 V, VBAT) with frequency measurement. Monitor switches, sensors, ignition lines, and door contacts simultaneously. |
| Digital Outputs |
8× DO — Mixed drive capability:
|
| ANALOG I/O | |
| Analog Outputs | 4× AO — 0–10 V or 4–20 mA. Proportional valve control, gauge driving, PWM-based actuator modulation. |
| Analog Inputs | 4× 0–10 V, 4× 0–5 V, 2× 4–20 mA |
| PERIPHERALS & DEBUG | |
| Memory & Debug | 64 Mb external Flash, 4 KB EEPROM, Segger J-Link Debugger, RGB LED, passive buzzer |
| Operating Temp. | -40°C to +85°C — Conformal coated PCB for vibration and humidity resistance in harsh vehicle environments. |
Use Cases
From coordinating a network of sub-ECUs to acting as the single body domain master — the VCU handles the architecture so you can focus on the application logic.
Act as the supervisor for a network of sub-ECUs. Arbitrate CAN traffic across all four buses, issue commands, and aggregate status from powertrain, chassis, and body domains.
Consolidate body electronics — windows, mirrors, lighting, locks, and HVAC — under a single domain controller with enough IO to eliminate satellite control units.
Host and manage CAN network scheduling across multiple buses. Run as the NM master, handle wake-up, and route inter-bus traffic between isolated CAN networks.
Aggregate 16 discrete sensor inputs and drive 8 outputs from a single node — replace a mesh of relays and small logic boards with one validated ECU.
Drive a full vehicle CAN network in HIL or SIL test rigs. Inject signals on all four buses, read back IO states, and simulate the full vehicle environment in one unit.
Control a cluster of LIN-connected body actuators and sensors — seat position modules, ambient lighting, mirror motors — with the VCU as the LIN master scheduler.
Powered by SmartWheels GenX
The Vehicle Control Unit pairs with SmartWheels GenX. Map CAN routing rules across all four buses, define IO behaviours, configure LIN schedules, and set arbitration logic visually — without writing low-level embedded code. Generate, flash, and deploy in minutes.
Contact us for a quote or to discuss your vehicle domain architecture requirements.