Vehicle electrical architecture is evolving fast. CAN networks were first implemented on the 1986 BMW 850, if I recall correctly—almost 40 years ago. This was needed at that time with the introduction of new systems like ABS and advanced air conditioning and stereos.
With the introduction of new features—especially ADAS—much more data has to be collected, analysed, and computed. The general automotive trend is toward SDV (software-defined vehicles). Software, usually in local ECUs, is moving to central and domain ECUs. We bring you news on that front from Marelli news in this week’s DVNewsletter. Surely, we’ll see more and more of this kind of thing.
So: what will be the impact for our lighting components? Everybody is working on solutions; there are lots of options today. Perhaps too many.
When I joined DVN, I decided to dedicate a session to EE architecture at each DVN Workshop. In Munich, we had more than 10 lectures from major outfits like TTTech Auto, Marelli, Continental, Infineon, On Semi, Elmos, ST Microelectronics, Microchip, and Inova. This was a great success to be able to start the discussion. I received a lot of positive feedback. In Detroit, the session is already fully booked with 10 lectures.
We have the chance at DVN to have on board Thomas Froelich, former head of electronics at Marelli Automotive Lighting and Sensing, who helps us organise and chair these sessions. Two weeks ago, he participated in the automotive ethernet conference in Munich. Ethernet is one of the possible (key?) solutions for SDV, and more than 1,200 people were gathered to talk about ethernet for new EE architecture and especially lighting. You will find more information on that, from a lighting perspective, in this newsletter.
Sincerely yours,
