Electronic control apparatus including microcomputers for controlling some of the systems found in a vehicle

摘要

An electronic control apparatus for use in vehicles comprised of two, one-chip microcomputers. The microcomputers each have a ROM and a RAM and are used to control different systems provided in the vehicle. The ROM of the second microcomputer stores an operational program which can be used to calculate control values for controlling various types of devices. It also stores operational map data which can be used to calculate control values for controlling various types of devices. Various signals output by the sensors provided in the vehicle are supplied to both microcomputers. At the start of the power supply to the apparatus, the operational map data stored in the ROM of the first microcomputer, which is to be used by the second microcomputer, is transferred to the RAM of the second microcomputer. The second microcomputer calculates a control value from the transferred operational map data, the signals output by the sensors and other data, thereby controlling the system assigned to it.