Electronics have drastically changed the way we interact with our cars. From integrated navigation to hands-free calling, we have witnessed significant advancements in vehicle technology. Today, vehicles are equipped with innovative features and have hundreds or even thousands of semiconductors that enhance their intelligence, electrification, and safety. These semiconductor chips also enable a higher level of comfort, including air-conditioned seats and custom lighting effects. In some vehicles, multiple touchscreens or smartphone apps support these features.

We are currently experiencing the era of the software-defined vehicle, a major trend in the automotive market. This trend allows car manufacturers to offer higher levels of service, personalization, and convenience. Safety remains a top priority, with almost 93% of new vehicles equipped with at least one advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) feature. The advancements in ADAS and connectivity brought about by semiconductors have the potential to prevent millions of crashes annually and save billions of dollars in damages.

One of the key automotive trends that can help achieve the software-defined vehicle is zone architecture. Zone architecture involves grouping electronic control units (ECUs) by their physical location in the vehicle, as opposed to organizing them based on their function (known as domain architecture). These location-based ECUs, also known as zone control modules, aim to centralize the vehicle's hardware and software architectures by leveraging existing and new network interfaces.

"Our company is well positioned to address all of the major communication needs of the architectural shift within the automotive industry," said Tsedeniya Abraham, vice president of interface at our company. "We can help designers manage and simplify the mix of data types that zone architecture calls for."

Zone architecture offers several advantages, including reduced cabling, weight, and cost, which optimize the software-defined vehicle. Communication protocols such as Ethernet, Controller Area Network (CAN), and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) play a crucial role in organizing the increasing amount of data in vehicles. Ethernet, with its ultra-high speed and low latency, supports safety-critical communications like accident avoidance. On the other hand, protocols like CAN or LIN are more suitable for lower-bandwidth connections such as window control, seat adjustment, and power steering.

"While Ethernet between the zone control modules is the best choice for high-speed data transmission, CAN or LIN are efficient, fast choices for the last mile of communication within each zone," explained Tsedeniya.

To meet the demanding video transport requirements, the FPD-Link protocol can currently deliver 13.5Gbps over a single cable, enabling high-resolution displays in vehicles. The FPD-Link serializer-deserializer (SerDes) provided by our company ensures fast transmission of uncompressed camera data, a critical advantage as vehicles incorporate more ADAS features. Uncompressed data is essential for reducing visual artifacts that could interfere with the system's ability to interpret and react to images. Furthermore, FPD-Link is bidirectional, allowing the system to control the camera while receiving images.

The integration of various protocols is one reason why manufacturers are turning to our company's extensive family of automotive communications devices. These devices are designed to handle the transition to zone architectures effectively.

Wireless capabilities also contribute to the excitement surrounding automotive technology. "Some consumers are already able to get new performance or convenience features with over-the-air updates, even comply with recalls, all without needing to bring the car into the shop," said Fern Yoon, TI's director of automotive systems engineering and marketing.

With zone architecture supporting the vision of the software-defined vehicle, automakers are redefining the next levels of driver personalization, safety, and convenience. Our company, TI, continues to invest in meeting the automotive architecture trends of today and tomorrow.

Rich and Mary Templeton's Generous Contribution

Apart from the advancements in automotive technology, there have been notable developments in the field of education. Rich and Mary Templeton, notable philanthropists, have generously donated a total of $91 million to their alma mater, Union College. This generous contribution aims to transform and enhance the engineering, computer science, and liberal arts programs at Union College. Furthermore, the funds will be utilized to recruit and support more women in pursuing careers in technology.

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