Bench Talk

New Tech Tuesdays

Modern vehicles have evolved into highly complex machines composed of systems and subsystems of electromechanical components that are all interconnected to work together. An array of vehicle controllers relies on rugged, high-performance microcontrollers (MCUs) for transmitting and processing commands. Many vehicle sensors enable MCUs to make real-time decisions about the vehicle's operation while maintaining the driver's and passengers' safety.

Automotive-grade MCUs are essential because they are designed to meet the automotive industry's high reliability and safety requirements. These requirements include operating at extreme temperatures, resisting vibration and shock, and ensuring data integrity in the face of potential electrical interference. In addition, automotive-grade MCUs must be able to support the complex algorithms and real-time processing demands of modern vehicles, which are increasingly being equipped with advanced driver assistance systems and other advanced features. Automobile-grade MCUs ensure automakers that their cars are safe, reliable, and capable of delivering the performance, functionality, and safety that consumers demand from their vehicles.

Like MCUs, connectors and connector systems are essential to automotive safety because they connect different electrical systems within a vehicle. These interconnected systems are responsible for many functions, including powering the headlights, operating the dashboard, and controlling the engine. Without correctly functioning connectors, these systems may not work properly, which can compromise the vehicle's and its occupants' safety. In short, connectors play a critical role in automotive safety by enabling different systems in a car to work together and function properly.

In this week's New Tech Tuesday, let's look at high-performance automotive MCUs from Infineon Technologies and sealed connector systems from Molex.

Infineon Technologies Traveo^™ II 32-bit Arm^® Automotive MCUs offer cutting-edge performance, safety, and security features for automotive electronics applications. The Traveo II family uses an Arm^® Cortex^®-M4F core and dual Cortex-M7F MCUs, with scalable memory size and pin count to meet the application requirements. Because of IP compatibility, design engineers can also design and develop systems based on a single-platform MCU solution. Additionally, the MCUs come with advanced security features, such as Hardware Security Modules (HSM), dedicated Cortex-M0+ processors, and embedded flash in dual bank mode for Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) updates.

Molex MXP120 Sealed Connector System is a high-performance in-line connection system for automotive and commercial vehicles with 1.20mm terminals. Compared to 1.50mm pitch connectors, 1.20mm pitch terminals minimize connector interfaces and package sizes. Designed for use in automotive safety systems, Molex MXP120 connectors meet USCAR T3-V2-S2 performance levels. The contacts are rated at 13A, and the housings are sealed to withstand high-pressure spray environments.

The electrification of modern vehicles will require high-performance automotive-grade MCUs and connector systems that will keep up with demands for faster in-vehicle communications, safer operation, and improved occupant safety.