Embedded Electronics Technology in Automobiles

As automobiles become increasingly user-independent and ‘intelligent,’ the demand for embedded electronic devices for use in cars is steadily increasing. This was indicated by increased demand for printed card buses (PCBs) that were destined for use as embedded devices in automobiles. PCB production rose in several parts of Europe, and experts in the industry are predicting moderate growth worldwide in the near future.

Embedded systems, because of their small size, low power consumption and rapid response rates have become valuable to the automotive industry as parts of safety components, sensors and on-board computers.


Virtual Mechanisms Powered by Embedded Systems


Car manufacturer, Porsche, in cooperation with dSPACE of Germany, has developed an electronics system that simulates the forces at work when one shifts gears. The shift force simulator simulates the normal operating conditions of a car from a driver’s perspective. Available inputs include the gear stick and pedals. Data from those input methods are then fed into a computer, which calculates the appropriate type and amount of feedback to the user.


Porsche’s shift force simulator aims to give developers better testing facilities before a prototype is designed and fabricated. The fabrication of a prototype was necessary in previous cases in order to fully test the effectiveness of a gear shift design. The model is equipped with a dSPACE- manufactured Controller board. The software systems are designed primarily by Porsche.