Embedded Computing Design

The electrical/electronics (EE) architecture of mass market automobiles is evolving rapidly to meet requirements for seamless connectivity, upgradable software, network and vehicle wide security, and management of increasing complexity, all while reducing design cycle time and offsetting higher computing costs by easing system integration. It’s a big task list, and the key to success is movement from traditional distributed control networks to a zonal architecture based on Central Computer Systems.

Technologies to enable connectivity in the automobile are accelerating at a staggering pace. In the past, the electrical connections drove basic functions, and wireless connections weren’t even considered due to limited reliability and performance that wasn’t up to snuff.