Global Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Market Analysis and Forecast (2013 – 2018) 05/18/2013 | Page 7

REPORT DESCRIPTION
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is an electronic control unit installed inside automobile
vehicles to manage engine and transmission units for optimum performance without manual
intervention. PCM is basically an embedded system that obtains input from a range of sensors fitted
inside the various group of components across the whole automobile body. The sensors obtain
important parameters from the automobile components and transfer it to the PCM for further
processing. After PCM processes the parameters, it transfers the output to the respective
components to bring out the desired change for optimum and efficient performance eliminating the
need of any human intervention.
The Powertrain Control Module primarily consists of Engine Control Unit & Transmission Control
Unit. Apart from these modules, some electronic control unit manufacturers also provide
Driveshaft and Differential Control Module under PCM for better RPM control and vehicle
handling respectively.
The structure and working of PCMs change with the fuel requirements of an engine. Therefore the
manufacturers provide a whole range of PCM varieties for automobiles such as: for gasoline, diesel
& alternative fuels; for LPG & CNG vehicles; for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The PCM acts as a CPU for the car with functions similar to it, viz: arithmetic, logical and
input/output function. Software is already installed inside the PCM that carries out a certain set of
instructions over the input parameters. Therefore the key elements to the PCM are sensors,
electronic control unit (ECU) and actuators. Sensors are the receptors that sense external conditions
and send a voltage signal to ECU that has a set of instructions (software) already installed in it.
These instructions carry out all the logica