Despite sluggish sales of electric vehicles (EVs), the future of cars is electric. Automakers are increasing research and development (R&D) investments in EVs, shifting focus away from traditional mechanical combustion engines.
Today, automakers are already developing what are called software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This represents the next evolutionary step for the automotive industry, with software and computing technology playing a key role in managing various vehicle systems and components.
Soon, cars will see a transition from internal combustion engines to electric architectures. But as the automotive industry moves toward software, specialized silicon chips are required.
Texas Instruments, a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, tests and markets analog and embedded processing chips, will introduce three chips specifically designed to power next-generation vehicles at CES 2024. Announced.
“As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, we believe semiconductor devices will be central to this transformation, especially as we approach 2030, when most automakers will mandate the transition to all-electric models. ” said Mark Ng, Sector General Manager. He talked about Texas Instruments’ hybrid and electric vehicles. target.
Internal combustion engines were primarily characterized by mechanical components. However, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or EVs are more software-defined and therefore have significantly more semiconductor content.
“Currently, we are focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and battery management systems (BMS). This includes components such as contactors and pyrofuses, and semiconductors form the core of these systems. .Our mission is to be the most technologically advanced vehicle of any automaker,” he said.
Achieving higher levels of autonomy
The first of three chips announced by Texas Instruments is designed expressly to enhance ADAS technology, by incorporating features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure. , plays an important role in improving road safety by preventing accidents and reducing the severity of collisions. warning, blind spot detection, and adaptive cruise control.
The chip, which Texas Instruments calls the AWR2544, is a 77GHz millimeter-wave radar sensor chip. It is the industry’s first chip designed specifically for satellite radar architectures, enabling higher levels of autonomy by improving sensor fusion and decision-making in ADAS.
“This is a single-chip radar sensor designed for satellite architecture that extends vehicle sensing range well beyond 200 meters, enabling more accurate decision-making,” Ng said.
In a satellite architecture, radar sensors output semi-processed data to a central processor for ADAS decision-making using sensor fusion algorithms, leveraging 360-degree sensor coverage to provide higher levels of vehicle safety. It will come true. Switching to a satellite architecture will help automakers overcome challenges associated with integrating sensors and managing fragmented software within vehicles.
“We are enhancing our capabilities by incorporating greater intelligence to facilitate centralized data computation. This architectural approach reduces system complexity while increasing L3 , L4, L5, and more while providing comprehensive 360-degree coverage.”
He also added that current radar chips on the market are not optimized for use on satellites. The AWR2544 chip addresses the processing needs of this type of architecture as it transitions from traditional radar architectures to satellite architectures.
Enhanced battery management systems
Additionally, advances in battery management systems (BMS) will also prove critical as automakers transition to electric vehicles. Supporting the trend toward software-defined vehicles is forcing designers to develop smarter and more advanced battery management systems.
Texas Instruments’ two new highly integrated software-programmable driver chips, called DRV3946 and DRV3901, offer safer and more efficient control of high-voltage disconnect circuits in BMS or other powertrain systems. corresponds to the requirements of
According to Ng, the DRV3946 is the industry’s first fully integrated contactor driver. The contractor’s electrical switch controls the flow of current within the battery circuit.
“It is not necessary to leave battery power connected to the vehicle at all times. Disconnecting the battery is essential, especially in situations such as an accident or imminent danger. These devices are programmable, intelligent, and have a microcontroller unit. You don’t have to use the (MCU),” Ng said.
The DRV3946, a programmable contactor driver, allows automakers to adjust peak-and-hold settings. The chip includes diagnostics to monitor and report contactor status, enabling efficient, programmable control and facilitating contactor diagnostics in the era of software-programmable devices.
Meanwhile, the DRV3901 chip is a fully integrated squib driver that uses built-in circuitry to monitor the pyro fuse and provide diagnostic information to the system microcontroller, resulting in an intelligent pyro fuse blowing system.
“The DRV3901 is a similar device that is integrated into the battery junction box and specifically interacts with pyro fuses. This gives BMS designers the flexibility to choose pyro fuses over traditional fused fuse systems. , design complexity is simplified.”
first mover advantage
While these are interesting developments, Texas Instruments is not the only semiconductor company trying to innovate in this space. According to Ng, Texas Instruments is one of the top 10 semiconductor companies in the world based on sales, and it sells its innovations to top OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the U.S., South Korea or Japan. is bringing.
“We were first to market in terms of contractor drivers and squib drivers, and we intend to further innovate in this area,” Mr Ng said.
Rapid and exciting advances in electric vehicle technology require silicon chips as the foundation to power these innovations. Texas Instruments aims to be at the forefront of helping automakers smoothly transition to the electric vehicle of the future.