The impact of vehicle electrification on electrical system design

Vehicle autonomy and electrification are demanding significant changes to their electrical and electronic architecture. The main factors driving these changes are high voltage systems, increased safety considerations and significant weight reductions needed to maximize vehicle range from electrification. Even more impactful is ‘Fail operational’ designs, hugely increased data network loading and virtual validation requirements for higher levels of vehicle autonomy. The race to electrified self-driving cars is accelerating.

In this white paper, we will review some of the implications of autonomy and electrification, and then examine the technical implications of high voltage electrification on how electrical systems are designed.