FIA seeking supplier for standard ECU

With the FIA aiming to introduce standard ECUs - the electronic 'brain' of a car that runs so-called driver aids such as the traction control - in 2008, the governing body is now looking for potential suppliers.

The supplies expressing interest will be invited to submit a formal bid with a view to supplying the whole Formula One grid in 2008.

A dossier with a more detailed description of the technical requirements will be sent to those who register an interest on or before 31 March 2006.

Full statement from the FIA:

In readiness for the 2008 Formula One season the FIA is seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers of  electronic systems and component suppliers with a view to supplying all Formula One teams with a standard electronic control system and technical support for racing and testing as referenced in articles 8.2, 8.4 and 8.6 of the 2008 Technical Regulations.

The supplied system will be required to control the following:

• An 8 cylinder engine, including single injector and spark plug per cylinder, one throttle actuator, pneumatic valve air pressure, two lambda sensors and two fuel pumps.
• A 6 or 7 speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox and hydraulic multi-plate carbon clutch.
• A hydraulic differential
• An energy recovery system
• A number of digital output drivers

The supplied system will be required to include:

• Steering wheel electronics for switch inputs and driver displays.
• Data acquisition and logging capability sufficient for all control, diagnostic and chassis performance analysis functions with fast data upload capability
• An accident data recorder
• A nominal 12V regulated car system voltage supply
• A list of approved sensor and actuator types
• A single infrastructure telemetry system

Those potential suppliers expressing an interest will be invited to submit a formal bid with a view to supplying the Formula One teams in accordance with a procedure which will be administered and regulated by the FIA.  A dossier with a more detailed description of the technical requirements of the system itself and of the procedure for submitting bids will be sent to those who register an interest on or before 31 March 2006.