High diagnosability, quality managed-compliant integrated circuit for implementing ASIL B-compliant automotive safety-related functions

An automotive internal combustion engine electronic control unit for performing safety-related functions with a predetermined automotive safety integrity level, the electronic control unit comprising:

• a microcontroller and an integrated circuit distinct from and communicating with the microcontroller;
• wherein the microcontroller is designed to perform one or more safety-related functions with an automotive safety integrity level that is the same as is required to the automotive electronic control unit;
• wherein the integrated circuit is designed to perform one or more safety-related functions with an automotive safety integrity level that is lower than that of the microcontroller;
• wherein the integrated circuit is further designed to perform, for each performed safety-related function, a corresponding diagnosis function designed to detect failures in the performance of the safety-related function;
• and wherein the microcontroller is designed to perform, for each performed diagnosis function, a corresponding monitoring function designed to monitor the performance of the corresponding diagnosis function by the integrated circuit to detect failures that may compromise the diagnostic capability of the diagnosis function.