ANALYSIS-MARKET-TRENDS
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In-vehicle networks – a solution perpetuating greater complexity
Two of the most significant trends driving growth in the automotive
electronics sector, and introducing wholesale change in architectural
design, are: in-vehicle networking and integrated ECUs. Market
reports state that automotive networking will grow by 10% annually, at
least until 2011.
Gradually replacing the bulky, heavy and fault-prone wiring looms that used to thread their way clumsily around a vehicle, data networks allow a far greater number of systems to be connected and controlled with increased safety and reliability.
CAN, the original networking protocol, will continue to be widely specified in both its high speed and fault-tolerant versions. CAN is forecast to grow steadily with the expanding market for hybrid vehicles. These require fast and reliable networking between the battery and its charging and management system, and the electric and fuel-powered engines.
For low data rate, local applications, LIN has become the preferred protocol. Being lower cost, it is enabling more features to be added to low and mid-range models, further stimulating growth, not only for the networking components but for simpler ECUs too, especially for features such as seat and mirror adjusters and electric windows.
Meanwhile, the high performance FlexRay protocol is widely recognised as the in-vehicle network of the future, particularly for highly integrated and time-critical applications. The market is forecast to grow swiftly over the next few years and beyond to 2020.
Data interchange
High-speed data network backbones are going to be the only way of supporting the increasing number of control systems emerging for drive, safety, comfort and convenience, in the cars of the future. Yet, at the same time, the increased capability afforded by such data networks is stimulating the development of even more systems, and significantly, facilitating the essential data interchange between systems.
The in-vehicle network already provides the data communication necessary to control virtually all mechanical and electrical functions such as windscreen wipers and lighting. It provides the driver with essential sensor data on tyre pressures, fuel levels and water temperature. Currently providing the communication to features such as ABS braking, air bags and stability control systems, networks will next be linking and integrating these features. This will require a change of approach to vehicle architecture.
Infotainment devices, meanwhile, are beginning to exploit the data networking technology to meet the growing expectations of the mobile consumer sector. Ultimately, data exchange, via the network, between disparate systems and features, will enable yet greater functionality. For example, GPS and navigation systems will communicate with safety features such as lane departure warning systems, providing valuable, real time data.
In-vehicle networking has fast become a highly complex and mission-critical system. Interoperability of ECUs on the network is a key issue for automotive designers, requiring systems-level support throughout the supply chain, from the electronic component vendors to Tier 1 suppliers.
Gradually replacing the bulky, heavy and fault-prone wiring looms that used to thread their way clumsily around a vehicle, data networks allow a far greater number of systems to be connected and controlled with increased safety and reliability.
CAN, the original networking protocol, will continue to be widely specified in both its high speed and fault-tolerant versions. CAN is forecast to grow steadily with the expanding market for hybrid vehicles. These require fast and reliable networking between the battery and its charging and management system, and the electric and fuel-powered engines.
For low data rate, local applications, LIN has become the preferred protocol. Being lower cost, it is enabling more features to be added to low and mid-range models, further stimulating growth, not only for the networking components but for simpler ECUs too, especially for features such as seat and mirror adjusters and electric windows.
Meanwhile, the high performance FlexRay protocol is widely recognised as the in-vehicle network of the future, particularly for highly integrated and time-critical applications. The market is forecast to grow swiftly over the next few years and beyond to 2020.
Data interchange
High-speed data network backbones are going to be the only way of supporting the increasing number of control systems emerging for drive, safety, comfort and convenience, in the cars of the future. Yet, at the same time, the increased capability afforded by such data networks is stimulating the development of even more systems, and significantly, facilitating the essential data interchange between systems.
The in-vehicle network already provides the data communication necessary to control virtually all mechanical and electrical functions such as windscreen wipers and lighting. It provides the driver with essential sensor data on tyre pressures, fuel levels and water temperature. Currently providing the communication to features such as ABS braking, air bags and stability control systems, networks will next be linking and integrating these features. This will require a change of approach to vehicle architecture.
Infotainment devices, meanwhile, are beginning to exploit the data networking technology to meet the growing expectations of the mobile consumer sector. Ultimately, data exchange, via the network, between disparate systems and features, will enable yet greater functionality. For example, GPS and navigation systems will communicate with safety features such as lane departure warning systems, providing valuable, real time data.
In-vehicle networking has fast become a highly complex and mission-critical system. Interoperability of ECUs on the network is a key issue for automotive designers, requiring systems-level support throughout the supply chain, from the electronic component vendors to Tier 1 suppliers.
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