Title: The design of semi-custom ICs for the automotive industry

Authors: A. Colens

Addresses: Semi-custom IC's Manager for Europe, RCA Solid State Division in Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: Wherever electronics are being used today, there is a major move to replace analogue circuitry with digital systems. During the past decade, VLSI technology has created a virtual revolution through its application in solid state memory and microprocessors. Already the silicon chip is finding wide use in the automotive industry - for ignition control (figures 1 and 2), panel instrumentation and in-car computers, for example. And more applications will certainly follow, both to improve and simplify existing functions, and to provide more sophisticated features in the vehicles of tomorrow. The automotive design engineer has various options available to implement these innovations - the choice of which will depend mainly on projected production volume and the complexity of the task which the circuit is required to carry out. For the simpler functions, off-the-shelf components may be readily available. But most systems are unique, and therefore require some degree of customization.

Keywords: automotive electronics; component design; semi-custom integrated circuits; design automation; simulation; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1985.061128

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1985 Vol.6 No.6, pp.703 - 710

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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