Africa Automotive March-April digital issue 2023

March-April issue l 2023
conditioning to engine management to powertrain &
braking control. These systems use microprocessors,
sensors & controllers for various operations. They are
highly integrated to work together to control all the
systems in a vehicle.
ADAS Sensors, these sensors are an important part of
advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and offer a
variety of functionalities to enhance safety in a vehicle.
They are able to detect dangerous objects in the road
and provide warnings to drivers about the situation.
Besides, they are capable of performing complicated
tasks that can help in automating driving operations and
providing improved comfort and convenience to users.
Microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS, are increasingly
being employed in automotive safety applications
to replace conventional sensors and increase their
performance and efficiency. These devices are often
small in size and cost, enabling designers to implement
more complex control solutions. The growth of this
segment is due to the increasing adoption of ADAS
and other safety features in passenger cars and light
commercial vehicles. It is also driven by government
regulations related to fuel economy and safety.
In addition, the global automotive electronics market
is expected to see growth owing to an increase in
the demand for connected car technologies. These
technologies enable car owners to connect with other
motorists and receive real-time information on their
vehicle’s status.
Auto electronics
Another important function of the ECU is to provide a
communication link between the chassis system and the
transmission system for the efficient functioning of the
vehicle. This is done through an interface called CAN bus.
There are many other communication interfaces that are
used to connect the various systems in a vehicle. These
include V2V & V2I communications, which notify the
driver or autonomous vehicle about potential collisions
with other vehicles or infrastructure. This also helps in
enhancing traffic flow.
Electrical circuits in automobiles are prone to over
voltages and over currents that can damage the
electronics. This is why circuit protection technology is
an integral part of any automotive design. In the last
few years, circuit protection technology has improved
significantly to protect automotive designs from the
increasing electrical threats that are caused by the use
of microprocessors in the motor control, lighting, battery
management and other systems. This is why circuit
protection products such as fuses and switches are now
being installed in more applications to prevent failures
that could lead to personal injury, or worse. The market
is also fueled by the rising demand for advanced safety
features in vehicles such as lane departure warnings and
blind-spot monitoring. This trend is expected to continue
in the future, as drivers are increasingly focusing on
vehicle safety and comfort while on the road.
Also, the growing adoption of battery-powered and
hybrid vehicles are a key factor in the growth of
this market. These technologies are enabling car
manufacturers to design safer and more energy-efficient
vehicles that can travel further on a single charge.
Farther, the global automotive electronics industry
is facing various challenges such as rising costs and
limited resources. These issues are causing car makers to
look for cost-effective and reliable electronics solutions.
This is a concern due to the fact that these products
are often exposed to harsh driving conditions such as
extreme weather and vibrations.
There are many different types of electronic sensors that
are used in a vehicle to monitor the various parameters
such as pressure, temperature, oxygen levels and more.
These are then sent to a central electronic control unit
(ECU) to be processed and controlled.
The ECU has its own logic circuits that are responsible
for controlling the actuators such as throttle valves, fuel
injectors and other components in the engine. These
are controlled through a variety of signals from the
sensor network. This makes the car more responsive and
gives it a higher performance level. Moreover, it helps
in saving on the cost of mechanical parts and reduces
maintenance as well as repair costs.
Image: patrick-langwallner
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