Six semiconductor technologies help build safer and smarter vehicles

From front bumper to rear bumper, from roof to wheels, more and more efficient and innovative semiconductor technologies are used in cars

Today's vehicles may be equipped with 200 to 2,000 semiconductor chips for power supply, sensing and information processing, designed to ensure our safety. Semiconductor innovations help automakers create technologically advanced vehicles.

But what impact does this advanced semiconductor technology have on drivers? Next, let's listen to Fern Yoon, director of automotive systems engineering and marketing at Texas Instruments ( TI )  .

It is a privilege to be in the automotive semiconductor industry, as I am both a driver exploring vehicle functional requirements and an engineer influencing how automakers adopt technology to design the cars of the future. Today's driver expectations of vehicles are very different than they were 20 years ago. In the past, drivers' main concern was getting from one place to another. They pay more attention to driving safety and the speed of reaching their destination.

Nowadays, people need vehicles as a means of mobility. Drivers now expect vehicle features that provide comfort and convenience, such as sensors that can help enable autonomous driving or climate-controlled seats. Drivers also want vehicle features that increase safety and intelligence, such as surround-view cameras or systems that can detect occupants or items left behind. As electric vehicles grow, sustainability becomes a priority. Texas Instruments ( TI ) innovative technologies are helping everyone realize these visions and make vehicles smarter and safer.

System evolution

Driven by semiconductor innovation, automotive systems continue to evolve to provide a safer and more enjoyable driving experience. Next, let's look at some of these systems:

An advanced battery management system (BMS) helps drivers extend their driving range by more accurately displaying the charge and health status of the battery. Improvements in battery monitoring technology will increase the range of electric vehicle batteries and re-plan the charging layout, while integrating functions such as DC fast charging or replaceable batteries, thus shortening the charging time of electric vehicles and reducing overall costs.

Improving the efficiency and reducing the weight of multiple systems such as wireless BMS, traction inverters, on-board chargers, DC/DC chargers, and heating and cooling systems can further extend the range that drivers can achieve on a single charge.

Power electronic devices that can support voltages up to 800V can achieve efficient power conversion and increase power density, and provide isolation functions to provide more options for faster and more efficient charging.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) require reliable and intelligent technology that enables vehicles to accurately perceive the world around them through camera and radar sensors, transmit sensor data reliably and securely, and process and transmit data to support real-time decision-making.

The architecture of these systems, or electronic control units (ECUs), is also changing. Electrical/electronic architectures are evolving towards zone architectures, where control is based on the ECU's location in the car rather than its function. Systems that were previously impossible to integrate, such as ADAS and air conditioning systems, are now integrated locally, reducing complexity and enabling multiple functions and features through software. Software-defined vehicle architecture requires fast and secure communication networks, high-precision sensors, intelligent and efficient load actuators, efficient power distribution, and high-performance centralized computing systems.

Six basic technologies

The following six fundamental technologies are driving the development of these systems to help create safer and smarter vehicles:

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2. Advanced sensing technology. From voltage sensing to backup cameras, sensing technology plays a vital role in overall vehicle safety and reliability. For example, precise radar, current, voltage and position sensing.

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4. Power technology. Across the vehicle, power supply technology requires higher power density and greater efficiency in a smaller space. For example, consider integrated solutions with compact packages, reduced thermal management requirements through high-efficiency switching regulators, and better protection through diagnostic capabilities.

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6. High pressure system. Achieving the goals of the electric vehicle industry requires high voltage systems up to 800V and above. TI  's high-voltage technology delivers high performance and reliability to enhance safety. For example, using isolation technology and cutting-edge power conversion topology.

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8. Secure data transfer. The amount of data that needs to be sent inside and outside the car is increasing. TI's interface portfolio provides the bandwidth needed for secure data transmission without compromising signal integrity. For example, wired and wireless solutions provide flexible bandwidth that scales with data needs.

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10. motor control. Functional safety-compliant devices bring reliability and scalability to multiple motor control use cases. Examples include integrated microcontrollers with control algorithms, motor drivers with integrated analog-to-digital converters, and sensing integrated circuits to support precise motion.

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12. Processing technology. Vehicles can't get smarter without using their brains—processing technology. Whether it is a simple function or complex processing that can support advanced autonomous driving applications, processing technology is required.

Cars are no longer as limited as they were 20 years ago, and I can't wait to see what they can achieve in 20 years. Making driving safer, vehicles more economical and practical, and user experience better are just the beginning. I’m excited to see how semiconductors will continue to advance automotive technology and redefine the driving experience.