Evolution of Vehicle Architecture

Over time, both vehicles and electrical technology have undergone rapid development and change. Early vehicles relied mainly on mechanical systems, while with the advancement of technology, electrical systems gradually became an integral part of the vehicle. As a result, the amount of data transferred in vehicles is growing rapidly.

In 2018, a car needed to transfer 15,000 pieces of data in the blink of an eye, and by 2020, that number will surge to 100,000 pieces of data.

In response to the growing demand for software functions and higher demands on computing power, the automotive industry needs to constantly innovate and improve its computing solutions.

By taking a closer look at the evolution of electrical architecture systems, we can better understand the reasons and necessity for this shift. At the same time, this also provides new ideas and directions for future automotive development to cope with the growing demand for data transmission and processing, as well as more complex and diverse software functions.

1950

Easy  // Minimum power, no electronic devices //

12-volt systems dominate

· Ring terminal = Main connection mode

· The 56/58/59 connection debuted

·Woven cloth coverings are standard

1960

Stabilize  // Electrical content increase //

· Functional improvements in audio and lighting increase electrical content

· Glass fuse protection regulations become standard

1970

Anticipate  // Electrical system add components //

· Emission requirements are emerging, and electronic components are not far behind

· Circuit protection systems move to automatic Fuses (ATO) with smaller footprint

· Wiring Harness terminals begin to require system expertise

1980

Take off  // Electronic integration means electrical increase //

· The new regulations push for more about electricity

· Sealed connections become a best practice

· New levels of electrical partitioning and packaging

· The increase in electrical content has exacerbated the load on car assembly plants

1990

Accelerate  // Architecture expertise becomes a "situation" //

· The Electrical Center redefines architectural standards and optimizations

· Complex management has become the focus of automobile assembly plant

· The miniaturization of Wire Cables and components allows for better assembly

2020

 More  // Electronic devices are called product features //

· Data and communication protocols drive demand for new products

· Optional devices are becoming the norm

· More legislation = more content growth

2010

Connectivity and security  // High power management is dominant //

· Consumer electronics integration adds complexity

· Driver distraction has become a social problem

· U.S. fuel finance regulations promote high voltage powertrains and systems (wiring harness)

· Occupant safety concerns add additional electrical content

2020

Mobilize  // In-vehicle systems have endless possibilities //

 · Advanced connectivity and security continue to drive the next generation of cables

· Regulations (safety, fuel finance issues, etc.) affect electrical growth and content

· Advanced communication protocols facilitate the development of new technologies

· Network security concerns drive multiple layers of redundancy and capacity

2030

Advanced integration  // Safe, green, and realize // at the same time

· Multiple voltage field brings more layers of device power

· Autonomous driving features create additional high-speed data networks

As the capabilities of cars increase, so does the need for computing power, data and power distribution. The car is gradually evolving into a supercomputer with a wealth of features and connectivity. In order to cope with this change, the architecture or foundation of the car needs to be fundamentally adjusted. The traditional approach to automotive architecture may no longer be able to meet current and future needs because it cannot effectively support the growth in content and complexity.

Software, sensing and computing platforms, data and power distribution, and connected services are key elements in a smart vehicle architecture. Developments in these areas are critical to enabling smarter, safer and more efficient vehicles.

Software plays a central role in the architecture of smart cars. Software defines the behavior and functionality of the vehicle and determines the performance and safety of the car. In order to meet the growing functional demands, more efficient and reliable software needs to be developed. This includes using modern software development methods and tools to ensure the quality and reliability of the software.

Sensing and computing platforms are key to enabling autonomous driving and other advanced capabilities. The accuracy and reliability of the sensors are critical to the safety and performance of the vehicle. At the same time, the high-performance computing platform is capable of processing complex algorithms and large amounts of data to support high-level autonomous driving functions.

Data and power distribution are also important aspects of smart car architecture. With the increase in sensors and computing platforms in cars, the amount of data is also growing rapidly. In order to process and manage this data effectively, it is necessary to develop efficient data storage and processing technologies. In order to meet the energy needs of various functions and devices, there is also a need to develop more intelligent power distribution systems.

Connected services enable vehicles to communicate with other cars, infrastructure, and the cloud, enabling smarter transportation systems. Through vehicle networking technology, real-time traffic information sharing, collaborative driving, remote control and other functions can be achieved, thereby improving traffic efficiency and safety.

Therefore, to achieve a higher level of autonomous driving, an integrated vehicle system is needed to control each critical task.