What Distinguishes Automobile Electronics From “Normal” Electronics?

Automotive electronics, as opposed to general-purpose electronics, are electronic devices that are especially designed for use in automobiles and other transportation vehicles. It is not possible for commercial (i.e., normal) electronics to be exposed to the extreme temperatures that automobile electronics must operate at.

There is a plethora of various temperature classes in which electrical equipment is manufactured, and each manufacturer has its own set of temperature ratings for its products. This means that designers and engineers should pay close attention to the actual requirements listed in product data sheets while creating new products. Look at the samples of temperature grades and ratings provided below. Notably, the automotive grade (in terms of severe temperature ratings) is only second to the military grade in terms of severe temperature ratings. For example, in commercial usage, temperatures range from 0 to 85 degrees centigrade; for industrial application, temperatures range from -40 to 100 degrees centigrade

The issue is, why not simply use military-grade materials in all instances? And the reason for this is simple: it is prohibitively costly. If the temperature rating of a gadget increases, the item’s price will increase as well – sometimes significantly.

In the context of automotive electronics, equipment such as redarc brake controller that has either been particularly designed for or has been adapted for use in automotive applications, regardless of temperature rating, is referred to as “automotive electronics.” Car computers, telematics, and entertainment systems are just a few instances of this type of technological advancement.

Infotainment systems, often known as in-car entertainment (ICE) systems or in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, are a collection of hardware and software components in automobiles that provide audio and visual content in a combination of information and enjoyment (a combination of information and entertainment). One could argue that infotainment systems were the spark that ignited the smart car movement. These systems can provide excellent entertainment features (such as rear seat entertainment) while also incorporating technologies capable of driver assistance, such as those that assist a driver while parking a car or that alert the driver on a congested route and suggest an alternate route, as well as those that provide internet connectivity while driving.

The earliest application of a computer in a car was for engine control. The computer was known as the ECU, or Engine Control Unit, during its first development.

Modern automobiles are equipped with more than 50 computer systems, which monitor and/or handle everything from the vehicle’s handling to its entertainment and communication functions. Some of the contemporary automotive electronic semiconductor providers include Freescale/NXP, Renesas, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Bosch, Texas Instruments (TI), ON Semiconductor, Toshiba, and Micron Technology.

It’s mind-boggling to consider how far vehicles have come since 1968, when Volkswagen became the first company to use a computer-aided design system. If the current rate of advancement in automotive electronics continues, a vehicle in 49 years will be unrecognizably different. Perhaps, in the future, we will not be required to drive at all. It will instead allow us to sleep, watch movies, or FaceTime with family and friends while the automobile takes care of the driving.

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