Automotive

Semiconductors in The Automotive Industry

Semiconductors....The Driving Force Behind Modern Vehicles

The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with automotive companies churning out new models every year in an effort to stay ahead of stiff competition, where modern vehicles have moved more and more towards being digital. This has led to a major shift in driving where vehicles use to more manual and "simple", to modern vehicles being more reliant on sensors and centralized computer systems that deliver more convenience and comfort. Modern vehicles are coming equipped with driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technology, cruise control and more recently, fully autonomous vehicles, that have been further enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), attracting a whole new generation of vehicle buyers. The main driving force behind the success of the modern vehicle has been propelled with semiconductors, that has made driving more digital than ever before. In this ever-changing digital age, vehicles are deeply dependent on semiconductors, with average cars containing over 1,700 chips (up to 8,000 in some EVs) for powering ADAS, electrification, infotainment, and safety systems. Automotive semiconductor chips can contain millions to tens of millions of transistors that enable sophisticated vehicle functionalities. Because they can process data from cameras and sensors and quickly provide this information, they are integral to the makeup of many modern vehicles.

When it comes to semiconductors in vehicles, there are several types of semiconductors with each having their crucial roles in how modern vehicles operate. With the integration of semiconductors in the automotive industry, the main challenge is delivering fail-proof technology that will ensure vehicles will run without any power or sensor failures.

Zener Core Competencies in Automotive

Driving with Reliability

Here at Zener Engineering, our core competencies in the automotive industry focus on high-reliability, power-efficient, and intelligent components for electric vehicles (EVs), ADAS, and digital cockpits. Key skills include designing robust, high-voltage, and high-temperature-rated chips (𝐴𝐸𝐶−𝑄100), advanced packaging, and integrating software-defined, secure, low-latency architectures and the following:

Power Management (EV/HEV): Developing Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) power devices, gate drivers, and MOSFETs for efficient energy management.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) & Autonomous Driving: High-performance System-on-Chips (SoCs), sensor fusion processors (radar, LiDAR, camera), and AI acceleration.

Safety & Reliability (Automotive Grade): Designing chips to withstand harsh environments (

-40∘Cnegative 40 raised to the composed with power C

−40∘C to

155∘C155 raised to the composed with power C

155∘C), with high EMI/ESD resistance and functional safety compliance (ISO 26262).

Connectivity & Digital Cockpit: Low-latency processors for infotainment, 5G V2X communication, and secure OTA updates.

Sensor/Actuator Control: Microcontrollers (28-40nm) for real-time control, such as engine management and brake-by-wire.

Supply Chain Resilience: Deep understanding of the semiconductor value chain and proactive capacity management.

Software-Hardware Integration: Developing software-defined vehicle architectures, requiring expertise in embedded software, cybersecurity, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence.

Advanced Packaging & Testing: Ensuring longevity and durability for a 30+ year service life.

Fabrication Control: Expertise in cleanroom protocols, lithography, and etch processes

Role of Semiconductors in The Automotive Industry

Driving The Future of Automotive Innovation

The importance of semiconductors should not be underestimated when it comes to the automotive industry. The automotive industry’s shift towards more sophisticated electronic systems has significantly increased the demand for high-performance semiconductors, with future demand not expected to slow down, but on the contrary skyrocket as vehicles embrace more digital and autonomous technologies. Semiconductors are the backbone or the "neurons" of modern vehicles, and with over 1,700–3,000 chips per car enabling, controlling, and optimizing essential functions, including powertrain management, safety, ADAS, and infotainment. They drive the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) through power management and bolster autonomous capabilities by processing massive sensor data. With increasing demand for the most advanced chips, the role of semiconductors in auto manufacturing will become more complex, an industry that will need the most experienced engineers who can deliver quality and reliable chips that are developed with the utmost precision, which we here at Zener Engineering take great pride in delivering.

Semiconductors play crucial roles in ensuring the reliable function of cars, since the integrated chips that go into vehicles control everything from the brake systems, power steering, climate control, engine control units, power management and driver assistance systems (ADAS) to name a few. The importance of semiconductors has surged in an era where cars are not just modes of transport but complex mobile computing systems.

Key Characteristics

Extreme Reliability and Durability: Automotive semiconductors must withstand severe mechanical stress and extreme temperatures (often exceeding 125∘C125 raised to the composed with power C125∘C) over long, 10–15 year vehicle lifespans.

High-Voltage and Power Efficiency: Especially in electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors manage high-power charging, battery management systems (BMS), and efficient energy transfer (e.g., Silicon Carbide - SiC) to enhance range.

Safety-Critical Standards: Components must meet strict safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) for ADAS, airbags, and braking systems to ensure, for example, immediate airbag deployment.

High-Speed Data Processing: Advanced AI, image sensors, and radar for autonomous driving require high-speed, real-time data processing capabilities.

Miniaturization and Integration: Modern vehicles use MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and advanced ICs for compact, efficient control of features like infotainment and powertrain.

Long-Term Availability: Due to the long lifecycle of automobiles, these components require long-term supply stability and support, differing from consumer electronics.

Core Functions

Vehicle Control & Powertrain Management: Semiconductors in Electronic Control Units (ECUs) manage fuel injection, ignition timing, and transmission for ICE vehicles, while also controlling power electronics and battery management systems (BMS) in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).

Safety Systems (ADAS & Autonomous Driving): Chips process real-time data from sensors, cameras, and LiDAR to enable automated braking, lane-keeping assistance, collision avoidance, and, in future vehicles, autonomous, self-driving capabilities.

Electrification & Energy Efficiency: Components like IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) and SiC (Silicon Carbide) MOSFETs are critical for optimizing electrical energy flow, improving battery longevity, and enhancing vehicle range.

Infotainment & Connectivity: Semiconductors drive digital cockpits, GPS, voice recognition, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communications, providing high-bandwidth, low-latency data for safety and connectivity.

Vehicle Dynamics & Comfort: Essential for electronic power steering, stability control, and cabin environment controls (e.g., climate control, fan speed regulation).

Applications

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Sensors, cameras, and processors support features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Powertrains: High-power semiconductors are critical for battery management systems, motor controllers, and charging infrastructure, maximizing energy efficiency.

Infotainment and Connectivity: Chips power touchscreens, GPS navigation, and 5G/connectivity technologies.

Engine Control Units (ECUs): Manage engine performance, fuel injection, and emission control.

Safety and Body Electronics: Control systems for airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking), and stability control.

Future Trend In The Automotive Industry

Driving Into The Future

On average it takes 3 years to design a vehicle, and one of the biggest challenges automobile manufacturers must overcome when it comes to autonomous driving, is developing chips that can collect and interpret data and act upon thousands to millions of times a second if autonomous driving is to succeed. The reason for this is because currently most automobile companies do not operate their own foundries for chip fabrication since it is an extremely expensive investment. Thus, relying on external companies who can supply the most advanced chips for autonomous vehicles. By the time a vehicle has been designed, it is already one or two generations behind the newest chips. The future role of semiconductors in auto manufacturing will become even more crucial as auto makers will have to keep pace to supply their vehicles with the latest and most advanced chips, making collaboration between automobile manufacturers and semiconductor companies crucial in shaping the future of transportation. Here at Zener Engineering, we are committed to helping drive automotive companies into the future of autonomous driving by helping auto makers meet the demands of increasing semiconductor reliance, which is expected to skyrocket in the next two decades, as the automotive industry shifts toward electric and autonomous vehicles.