Excelfore’s eSync SDK Accelerates OTA Updates for ECUs and Smart Sensors

Excelfore’s new software development kit (SDK) streamlines the creation, prototyping, and testing of over‑the‑air (OTA) connected devices that comply with the eSync standard, supporting automotive and industrial applications.

Targeted at automakers and suppliers of electronic control units (ECUs) and smart sensors, the SDK delivers an out‑of‑the‑box connectivity solution that links embedded systems to any preferred cloud platform. This enables rapid deployment of OTA and data‑aggregation programs, dramatically reducing development cycles by providing a functional model for secure, policy‑driven software delivery.

The kit includes two compact Raspberry Pi units, complete power supplies, and cables. One Pi serves as the gateway, offering Wi‑Fi connectivity and hosting the pre‑installed eSync client. The second Pi functions as an external edge device that can be updated. eSync Agents are pre‑installed on both units, allowing new software to be installed on either device or both.

eSync is a multi‑company specification promoted by the eSync Alliance. It defines a software platform with interoperable server and embedded components that create a secure, bi‑directional data pipeline between the cloud and vehicle end devices. In the cloud, eSync servers handle updates, diagnostics, and telematics. In the vehicle, a single eSync client and multiple eSync agents manage OTA and diagnostics, providing a secure path for firmware updates to numerous end devices and for telemetry data to flow upstream.

With eSync, manufacturers can deliver OTA updates while simultaneously collecting real‑time operational data from ECUs, domain master ECUs, network gateways, and smart sensors. This integrated pipeline helps automakers avoid costly recalls and enables continuous improvement of vehicle software and features in the field.

Beyond simplifying development, the Excelfore SDK facilitates the integration of legacy devices into eSync‑enabled networks and supports IT professionals at OEMs and suppliers to evaluate both in‑network and cloud software.

According to Excelfore, OTA in complex environments—such as automotive systems with many heterogeneous devices on multiple networks and buses—requires substantial engineering resources and rigorous verification. Standardization in architecture and protocols is essential. The eSync SDK offers a turnkey solution that allows customers to leverage Excelfore’s production‑grade OTA platform with minimal effort.

Two optional expansion kits are available: a CAN‑bus kit that includes cables, connectors, instructions, and a template eSync agent for integrating AUTOSAR ECUs and other CAN‑bus devices; and a vehicle‑status emulator that provides a load board with a CAN‑bus interface, enabling dynamic control of variables that influence OTA policies (e.g., ignition status or user consent).

The eSync SDK is priced at $999 per kit. Cloud hosting costs $2,500 per month, or $2,999 for a bundled kit and one month of hosting. Expansion kits launch in Q3 2020 at $499 each.