Infineon develops innovative electronic solutions for automotive industry
Infineon, a leading player and pioneer in automotive electronics with 40 years of very successful track record, continues to innovate in this market with a broad portfolio of outstanding quality solutions. The company finds significant growth opportunities in the upcoming legislations in the areas of safety and emission control along with the changing Indian demographics.
The plan to go all electric by 2030 will require significant investment from the public and private sectors, not just in the infrastructure but also in product development. The entire value chain will have to bring in ideas ranging from change in business paradigms to efficient and scalable technologies. Infineon is committed to support green technologies with efficient system solutions.
“We help create more sustainable mobility choices by lowering emissions and fuel consumption. We develop semiconductor solutions for a wide range of powertrain applications such as transmission, multi-port and direct injections, alternator regulator, and pumps. For hybrid and electric vehicles, we offer solutions in the main and auxiliary inverters, HV/ LV DC-DC and AC-DC (battery charger). We help make cars safer with solutions for airbag system, brake vehicle stability control (VSC), electric brake booster, EPS, active suspension control system, radar system, TPMS and in-cabin sensing applications,” Girish Kamala, Director and Country Head of Automotive SMD, Infineon Technologies, said.
Infineon offers solutions for HVAC control module, front light, LED rear light, interior and ambient light control, roof control, seat control, smart window lift and power distribution for start-stop systems.
“Our development strategy focuses on the integration of functionality in semiconductor solutions with an excellent price-performance ratio. Our technologies are contributing to a greener future by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and cost. And that’s not all – we are also helping to improve safety and performance,” Girish said.
Recent trends and innovations in order to meet the higher expectations of the customers on reliability and quality, Infineon replaces mechanical and electromechanical components by semiconductor solutions. Some good examples are the replacement of starter relays, conventional bulbs with LED lights, motors with brushless motors, and battery with lithium-Ion technology.
Girish said it was an exciting time for the Indian automotive industry as the new regulations on safety and emissions and the market demand for new car features offered numerous opportunities for automotive electronics. “We expect to see increasing focus on green technologies – electric twowheeler and passenger vehicle; safety features like airbags, antilock braking; in-vehicle electronics such as lighting, passive keyless entry, body control modules and comfort solutions along with trends in automotive light-weighting and engine downsising. Infineon is very well positioned to serve this market with our technologies and solutions,” he said.
Several new regulations like BS VI, automatic headlamp, and ABS for two-wheelrs ( above 125cc), front and side airbags in four-wheelers, fuel economy star rating, ABS for all models of four-wheelers, that are going to be effective by 2020 will require electronic solutions. As a technical leader, Infineon will
be able to help suppliers gearing up to customise or develop new solutions.
Powertrain solutions
The automotive industry is working to reduce fuel consumption and emissions to reduce cost. Infineon steps in to help this process by offering affordable and efficiency- enhancing innovations in powertrain solutions. Concrete measures include rightsising engines, improving fuel injection accuracy and increasing after treatment efficiency. On the transmission side, carmakers are looking to optimise both the gear ratio and gear shifting. Other efficiency-enabling activities of the company include reducing friction and hydraulic losses.
Infineon is the innovation leader in the powertrain electronics, with indepth system expertise and broad application competence through long-term partnerships with OEMs, Tier 1, and engineering service providers. It has an extensive range of optimised, competitive and scalable powertrain products and chipset solutions. “Our portfolio covers the full sensor spectrum from position, over angle and speed to barometric and manifold pressure, supplemented by a strong 8 bit, 16 bit and 32 bit powertrain microcontroller portfolio. In addition to the necessary voltage supplies, MOSFETs and IGBTs, smart lowside and highside switches, CAN/LIN and FlexRay transceivers, our product range is rounded off by a multitude of highly integrated automotive system ICs, such as engine management ICs, alternator regulators, System Basis Chips (SBC) and constant current control ICs for transmission control,” Girish said.
In addition to powertrain electronics, Infineon is targeting safety solutions for airbag system, brake vehicle stability control (VSC), electric brake booster, EPS, active suspension control system, radar system, TPMS and in-cabin sensing applications.
“We are also offering solutions for HVAC control module, front light, LED rear light, interior and ambient light control, roof control, seat control, smart window lift and power distribution for start-stop systems,” he said.
Immediate priorities
The priority of Infineon is to help OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers achieve regulatory compliance with competitive solutions. “We aim to partner with our customers to deliver the right technology at the optimum price at the right time,” he said.
Infineon’s technical solutions and a wide product portfolio in the areas of battery management, charging infrastructure, motor control, AC-DC convertor solutions, IGBT modules and 24V/48V solutions will be of great support for OEMs that are considering hybrids and EVs. “Our HybridPACK solutions are known to the local tier 1’s and OEMs,” he said.
For the industry working on to reach the desired Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) certification, Infineon has introduced its own PROSIL concept. “This trademark clearly identifies the products which contain `SIL supporting’ features. The Infineon PROSIL concept includes safety focused organisation and business processes for the generation of hardware and software safety features, including safety documentation. We can support optimisation of ongoing application including the implementation of new features to meet stringent safety requirements. The ISO 26262 safety standard is one example of the exacting standards that apply today,” Girish said.
Infineon has a global footprint to support customers worldwide. The company has no plans to install manufacturing facilities in India right now. But it would evaluate this option in line with the `Make in India’ campaign.
“The Indian auto Industry is likely to see a higher single digit growth in the coming years across all segments. The affordability factor and value for money will drive the mass market. Higher disposable income will also lead to increase in the offtake of high-end variants with increased electronic content. Regulations tend to create a more level playing field for all OEM’s that will see much faster introduction of newer technologies in automobiles. In the long-term we will see a greater penetration of smarter, greener and safer technologies,“Girish said.
Infineon has its R&D centre in the central business district of Bangalore with over 300 engineers. They support application and technology development, global software development and post silicon validation activities.