NXP driving automotive electronics toward energy efficiency

NXP recently organized an Automotive Technology Day at its Bangalore campus. I shall focus on the points made by Ashok Chandak, senior director, Global Sales and Marketing, NXP Semiconductors on how global trends are challenging the society.According to him, the key macro growth drivers in electronics include energy efficiency, connected mobile devices, securty and health. He also highlighted how HPMS or high-performance mixed signal is driving innovation at NXP.

NXP provides HPMS and standard product solutions that leverage its leading RF, analog, power management, interface, security and digital processing expertise.

Commenting on the BRIC market for automotives, he said that the BRIC market has been projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1 percent vs. total market of 5 percent for the period 2010-17. Also, BRIC's share of the global car production has been estimated to grow from 31 percent in 2010 to 34 percent by 2017.

Motivation in India has been the the fast growing automotive market and the increasing electronic content in automotives.

Drivers of innovation in automotive
The drivers of innovation in automotive include seamless connectivity, increased safety, sustainable mobility and affordability, and increased comfort. NXP has been striving to significantly address all of these.

Chandak also highlighted five examples that are driving significant fuel efficiency improvement. These include: electric power steering, eco telematics, body networks, transmission, and start/stop systems. Again, NXP provides dedicated solutions that are driving efficiency in conventional, as well as hybrid and electric cars.

He also touched upon some of NXP's innovations. These include -- electric power steering, which saves fuel consumption and CO2 emission 10g/km; dual clutch transmission, which saves fuel consumption and CO2 emission up to 10 percent; start/stop systems, which are micro-hybrid and also save fuel consumption and CO2 emission by 4-10 percent.

Body electronics is yet another NXP innovation. Partial networking is enabled since the ECUs are only active when a function is needed. This also extends the range of an electric car. The potential energy saving is up to 70W. NXP has also enabled eco-telematics by way of a telematics on-board unit. A feature includes intelligent traffic management, which saves fuel consumption and CO2 emission up to 16 percent.

Chandak added that 'electrification' is a technical mega trend. Vehicle efficiency is driving electrification. Innovations in electronics are driving the car toward energy efficiency.