REACT-5G Demonstrates Reliable Remote ECU Diagnostics Through Multi-Connectivity

Independent vehicle repair garages increasingly need access to advanced diagnostic tools and specialist expertise, particularly when dealing with complex faults, ECU reprogramming or unfamiliar vehicle brands. Remote diagnostics over 5G can help bridge this gap, but highly sensitive operations such as ECU flashing require a connection that remains stable throughout the entire process. A disruption during flashing can leave the ECU unusable.

REACT-5G, Reliable ECU Access via Coordinated Traffic-splitting over 5G, is an ENVELOPE Open Call #1 sub-project led by Buontech Solutions. The project addresses this challenge by combining two communication paths to provide a more reliable remote diagnostic connection.

A Vehicle Service Device connected to the vehicle’s OBD port communicates with a Remote Diagnostic Engine operated by an expert. Instead of relying on a single connection, diagnostic traffic is transmitted through both 5G and Wi-Fi using the 3GPP ATSSS multi-connectivity capability exposed through the ENVELOPE platform. If one connection becomes unavailable, traffic can continue over the other path without interrupting the diagnostic session.

Combining ENVELOPE enablers for reliable diagnostics

REACT-5G integrates three ENVELOPE capabilities:

• ATSSS multi-connectivity to steer, switch and duplicate traffic across 5G and Wi-Fi.
• Predictive QoS to assess network conditions before an ECU flashing operation begins and ensure that connectivity requirements can be met.
• Device Location to apply the appropriate protection level according to the vehicle’s location.

Validated at the ENVELOPE Greek Trial Site

The solution was validated at the ENVELOPE Greek Trial Site, operated by NCSRD and OTE, using real 5G and Wi-Fi connections.

The trials achieved:

• A diagnostic round-trip latency p95 of 44 ms, compared with a 50 ms target.
• 100% completion of diagnostic and ECU flashing sessions, compared with approximately 85% using a single-path baseline.
• Successful operation during path loss, with no failed requests and a switch-over gap below 62 ms.
• More than 99% reduction in latency variance compared with a single connection.
• Network overhead below the 15% target during normal operation, with traffic duplication activated only during the critical ECU flashing phase.

The results demonstrate the potential of multi-connectivity and predictive network capabilities to make remote ECU flashing more reliable and suitable for real-world service environments.

Beyond automotive diagnostics, the same approach could also support other applications requiring highly reliable connectivity, including industrial control and e-health services.

The software developed through REACT-5G is being made available to the ENVELOPE consortium for further reuse and exploitation.

Learn more:
https://www.buontech.com

ENVELOPE has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking SNS JU under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101139048. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the SNS JU. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.