The Relationship Between Trends in the Automotive Industry and Power Supply ICs for Automotive Applications

The Era of Car Electronics

In recent years, the use of electronics in cars has been increasing at a rapid pace. Most if not all of the latest vehicles are adopting ‘high-tech’ electronic devices. In fact, a greater percentage of controls in consumer vehicles is now electronic or motorized – in marked contrast from when conventional mechanical controls occupied the largest proportion. And this trend is expected to only increase, with the number of electronic components used in cars expected to grow by 7-8% annually, exceeding the 3-4% rate forecasted for the annual quantity of vehicles sold. (see Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1. Graph of Quantity of Automobiles Sold Annually (Normalized to ‘1’ for 2013)

*Based on “Worldwide Electronics Market 2014 – Comprehensive Study” by Fuji Chimera Research Institute, Inc.

Figure 2. Graph of Sales Figures for Power Supply ICs Used in Automotive Electronics

(Normalized to ‘1’ for 2013)

*Based on“Comprehensive Survey of In-Vehicle Electronic Devices & Components 2013” by Fuji Chimera Research Institute, Inc.

Three areas are expected to play a major role in the shift to car electronics.

The first is the Environment. The need for greater energy efficiency to promote environmental conservation has spurred demand for hybrid (HV) and electric (EV) vehicles. This in turn has led to increased competition among car manufacturers to minimize fuel consumption. For example, technological breakthroughs such as the use of ‘high-tech’ electronic components have made it possible to monitor and adjust sensors and valves electronically to optimize the flow of gasoline and achieve lower fuel consumption. In addition, adopting higher efficiency alternators and other components help to improve performance and contribute to lower system energy consumption. These devices and systems are made possible using complex and elaborate electronic controls, and will naturally see increased use in conjunction with improved fuel economy and the proliferation of HVs and EVs.

The second area is Information & Comfort. The advancement and popularity of mobile devices such as smartphones is nothing short of revolutionary, and this technology is slowly making its way into cars. More than simply a means of transportation, cars are integrating a growing number of functions that provide greater comfort and convenience, from the ability to download or stream music or make phone calls to accessing information for navigation. Smart keys, which allow users to open/close doors and enable push-start operation, are quickly becoming a standard feature as well. These are just a few examples of how the shift towards computerization is changing the way we look at cars.

The final area is Safety, which is an essential component of all vehicles. For many years, safety in vehicles was largely limited to measures that minimize damage or injury during collisions, such as using stronger frames or absorbing shock at the time of impact (e.g. by using airbags). However, in recent years, the focus has begun to shift to measures that prevent collisions. This is achieved by using sensors, cameras, and systems to monitor vehicle status and positioning along with the surrounding environment. Real-world applications include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and collision detection.

These 3 key areas for growth in the automotive industry are made possible only through electronic control and computerization, and continued advancements in these areas is certain to accelerate the shift towards even greater efficiency, convenience, and safety in the future. (see Figure 3)

Figure 3. Three Key Areas for the Future Growth of Car Electronics

Trends in the Supply of Electronic Components for Automotives

The general trend for electronic components in most markets – and in the automotive sector in particular – is towards smaller form factors and lower power consumption. One component that is virtually indispensable to most automotive applications is the power supply IC, which supplies the power necessary to operate and control a variety of devices and circuits.

Power supply ICs used in automotive systems convert voltage from a power supply (i.e. the battery) to an appropriate voltage for each function, then supplies regulated output to a microcontroller (MCU) or other device in order to perform an operation. In broad terms, two kinds of power supply ICs exist: linear^*1 and switching^*2 (see Figure 4). ROHM offers both types and is constantly cultivating new technologies to develop power supply ICs optimized not only for today’s applications, but tomorrow’s next-generation solutions as well.

*1: Refers to power supplies that provide continuously regulated output voltage, such as 3-terminal regulators and LDOs (Low Drop Out) that feature a low input/output potential difference.

*2: Refers to power supplies that deliver non-continuous regulated output voltage by performing switching operation (i.e. DC/DC converters).

Figure 4. Two Types of Power Supply ICs are Offered for Automotive Applications

With linear power supply ICs, ROHM has developed technology that brings added value in the form of lower power consumption, which will take on added importance as the number of electronic components continues to grow. However, changes have recently begun to arise regarding the specifications of vehicle-mounted components for each car manufacturer.

One of the main reasons is market diversification. Applications in the 3 key areas are sure to vary widely between manufacturers, which will result in differing characteristics for the various electronic components. Plus, power requirements may vary significantly depending on the application, with some systems utilizing more powerful MCUs and circuitry that draw more power. This will in turn necessitate power supply ICs featuring larger current capacity and greater thermal resistance.

On the other hand, the increasing number of electronic components will result in less and less board space, which will require smaller form factors. In addition, package type, supply voltage, and output current are nearly all subdivided according to the application and type of MCU. Therefore, robust specifications that can handle a wide range of demands are becoming necessary for power supply ICs.

Another issue is the need for versatile components that can be used almost anywhere and can meet the diverse requirements of different manufacturers and designs. Until recently, the main focus has been on switching from mechanical control to electronic/computerized control, utilizing a variety of power supply ICs from different suppliers that feature a range of electrical characteristics. However, in most cases the components are not interchangeable, even within the same supplier, which often leads to more complicated parts management and longer development times.

As the number of electronic components increases it becomes necessary to streamline operations to minimize costs. This recent shift to car electronics in particular is entering a new phase, where there is a greater emphasis on reducing the number of electronic components that overlap through coordination and integrated control with other electrical systems, as well as through standardization and the use of common parts that connect to power supply ICs – that extend beyond the mere development of a standard platform. This shift was spurred in large part due to the severe impact on operations caused by recent natural disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake.

During these types of unforeseen events it becomes difficult if not impossible to continue operations – particularly in the manufacturing and automotive industries – making it imperative to have a comprehensive worldwide Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place. This will enable flexible response to natural disasters and other unforeseen catastrophic events in order to ensure continuous, uninterrupted business operations, for example through parallel purchasing, establishing redundant multi-site production locations, and maintaining safety stock.

Although the concepts of ‘diversification of specifications that respond to market needs’ and ‘standardization and use of common components to hedge against risk’ seem contradictory at first glance, in fact they both point to the same purpose, to offer a family of components that can become a worldwide standard. In response, ROHM is committed to developing standardized products and solutions that provide the versatility required to meet a wide range of needs in order to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs in the automotive industry.

Broad Lineup of Ultra-Versatile LDOs

ROHM has recently expanded its LDO lineup with 2 new series, comprised of 43 models, for automotive applications. The 16-model BD4xxMx series is designed for use in body/powertrain systems, while the BDxxC0A family, comprised of 27 models, is optimized for in-vehicle information systems such as car infotainment. These series were launched at the same time based on robust development in the car electronics sector in order to respond to the diverse specifications of different manufacturers and contribute to production and purchasing redundancy. Both series deliver the versatility required to meet a variety of demands and are available in a wide range of package types and output voltages. (see Figure 5)

Figure 5. The BD4xxMx Series is Ideal for Automotive Applications

Although both models provide low power consumption, the BD4xxMx series in particular features a no-load current consumption of only 40mA (see Figure 6). And unlike conventional LDOs where the circuit current increases linearly with output current, leading to greater heat generation, these latest LDOs utilize a proprietary design that maintains low no-load current consumption even when the output current increases. This eliminates a major drawback of conventional LDOs, which although are simple and easy to use often generate excessive heat.

Figure 6. The BD4xxMx Series Provides Low Current Consumption During Both No-Load and Normal Operation

In addition, both series are designed specifically for automotive applications, and therefore comply with the AEC-Q100 standard for automotive ICs. Plus, ROHM has already obtained ISO/TS16949 quality management system certification for the automotive industry and has cleared the most stringent reliability requirements under the harshest conditions utilizing a streamlined, integrated manufacturing process.

In summary, the BD4xxMx and BDxxC0A series provide market-proven quality and reliability along with greater convenience due to their robust, automotive-grade design, and ROHM guarantees long-term, stable supply for the automotive sector. These ultra-versatile LDOs conform to the latest market trends and are expected to become the standard worldwide. And while friendly competition over the level of quality for future vehicle components is a matter of course, we believe that, in terms of customer satisfaction, balancing the needs for diversification with redundancies in production and purchasing (which we have achieved with these latest LDOs) is essential to achieve success in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.