Architecture – Overview of Software Layers (Top View)
The AUTOSAR architecture is structured into three main software layers that operate on a microcontroller. These layers provide a clear separation of responsibilities and help organize the software components inside an automotive system.
By separating software into clearly defined layers, AUTOSAR promotes modularity, portability, and scalability. This structure simplifies system design, integration, maintenance, and future updates — while ensuring compatibility across different vehicle platforms and manufacturers.
Let’s explore these layers interactively:
This is the topmost layer of the AUTOSAR architecture. It contains application-specific software components responsible for implementing vehicle functions.
This layer focuses on high-level logic such as engine control, transmission management, safety systems, infotainment, ADAS, and other vehicle-specific features.
The Runtime Environment sits between the Application Layer and Basic Software.
It acts as a communication bridge, ensuring smooth data exchange between application components and underlying services. The RTE guarantees reliable communication and supports deterministic real-time behavior.
The Basic Software layer is closest to the hardware. It provides essential system services and hardware abstraction.
This includes communication stacks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), device drivers, memory services, OS services, and microcontroller abstraction modules.
The Microcontroller is the physical hardware that executes the entire AUTOSAR software stack.
It includes the CPU core, memory (RAM, Flash), timers, communication peripherals, ADC/DAC modules, and other hardware interfaces.
All AUTOSAR layers ultimately rely on this hardware foundation. The Basic Software abstracts its complexity, allowing upper layers to remain hardware-independent.
Without the microcontroller, no software layer can function — it is the execution engine of the ECU.