Charting the Electronics Path
"When you're driving home and remember something you should have done at work, you can verbally remind yourself and tell your computer to e-mail that message to your office — all without touching a keypad," notes Steve Buckley, DaimlerChrysler Electronics Specialist. Since the computer docks into the Commander, software upgrades are possible. Software upgrades are not needed on a databus mirror making its first vehicle appearance on the 2000 Plymouth Prowler. Zeeland, MI-based Gentex Corp. has integrated its automatic dimming rearview mirror with the vehicle's onboard computer system. The enhanced mirror provides display for outside temperature, vehicle directional heading, average fuel economy, distance to empty, instantaneous fuel economy, trip odometer, and elapsed trip time. "In essence, our mirror acts as the monitor for the Prowler's computer system. It picks up data pulsing through the car's electrical system and displays it in the rearview mirror," says Ken La Grand, Gentex's Executive Vice President. Since vehicle electrical systems are akin to computer local area networks, various electronic modules continuously send, receive, and process information. For instance, when a Prowler door is opened, the door module signals the rearview mirror to turn on interior cabin lights. Or if engine speed increases, which brings a correlating increase in noise, the engine module signals the radio to increase the volume automatically. "With our mirror on the vehicle's bus (electrical system), we can display just about any piece of driver information without additional wiring. And by simply adding a few sensors, we can control headlamps, display GPS (global positioning system) information, or monitor individual tire pressure," La Grand points out. The fastest-growing consumer electronics product is ready to shift into high-volume production vehicles. Panasonic Automotive Electronics Co. expects its Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) applications to be factory-installed by model year 2002-2003. (DVD is presently an aftermarket automotive offering.) "Consumer electronics will drive automotive electronics. We see the future of DVD being very applicable to the auto," says Darryl Edwards, Marketing Manager/New Business Marketing for Panasonic Automotive Electronics. DVD vehicle appearances, tied to video and audio packages, are gaining momentum as an entertainment provider since DVD handles high storage in a small area. "The versatility of DVD is also appealing. For instance, DVD can store several navigation maps, and that means the driver doesn't have to stop and switch discs," Edwards says. With exorbitant growth in electronic accessories, the demand on a vehicle's battery increases. Bosch is developing a dual battery system to offset the power drain. The system employs a vehicle ignition-only battery as well as a power supply control unit that distributes battery charge from a supply battery to accessories requiring power (including such things as electric steering, brakes, and lighting). "In addition, the supply battery provides a boost charge to the starter battery to optimize cold-crank performance and increase starting reliability," notes Reiner Emig, Executive Vice President of Engineering for Robert Bosch Corp. Bosch's dual battery system is anticipated to make its first production appearance on European platforms in model year 2001. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Consortium on Advanced Automotive Electrical/Electronic Components and Systems is working to develop technology for 42/14V dual-voltage electrical systems; production is expected in 2010. As in-vehicle entertainment and convenience features become more electronics-intensive, the human-machine interface greatly influences design. "The size of electronics within the assembly will continue to decrease because of packaging density. But we're reaching the limits of human interface as to what the ultimate package size will be," says Doug Boyd, North American Mechatronics Manager for Eaton Corp.'s Vehicle Switch/Electronics Division based in Downers Grove, Il. Boyd cites the power window/door/mirror switches on the Jeep Grand Cherokee as one example. In model year 1996, Eaton employed a multiplex system in which a microprocessor picks up the switch movement and sends a signal to other modules in code. The 1999 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee reduced the switch package size by one-third. Boyd expects incremental size reductions will occur in the next five to 10 years, likely taking the size down by at least another one-fourth in total. Through systems integration, advanced electronic features such as keyless entry, vehicle information (trip computer, GPS, etc.), bi-directional communication, and personalized memory functions will proliferate through vehicle segments because of reduced cost and easier packaging considerations, Boyd believes. "In the future, mechatronics packaging technology will be applied throughout the whole vehicle," says Boyd, pointing out that applications on the steering wheel stock and overhead consoles are prime examples. As the future becomes the present, electronics will need more integration strides. Says Automotive Consulting Group's Virag, "There's a definite interest in electronics from a systems standpoint. (Consumers) don't want a situation where they have to buy a new vehicle to upgrade the electronics. They don't want a vehicle with electronics that are obsolete. The balance is plug-and-play." Players driving the establishment of hardware and software standards for automotive information, communications, and entertainment systems include automakers and suppliers as well as industry groups like the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration, the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association, and SAE International.
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