Towards the Intelligent Power Network

The transition of the vehicle from mechanical to mechatronics systems is encountering some technology tollbooths. The increasing number and level of vehicle electrical loads cannot be met with the existing automotive electrical system and will eventually require the vehicle's primary voltage to increase to 42V to minimize current, copper cost, wiring harness size and weight, and even di/dt. At the same time, the increasing power requirements for newer loads that range from 1 to 20kW limit the use of existing semiconductor techniques to control these loads.

Automakers have already started to implement or plan for the changes in the vehicle's architecture. Automotive electronic suppliers have designed systems to provide power management. However, non-automotive systems that are in production may have features that could be emulated in the automotive environment. Adapting the behaviors of other industries could also provide benefits of reduced time to market as well. This paper will discuss the challenges that increasing power consumption, power generation and power data communication pose for future vehicles. Examples from other industries as well as announced automotive activity will be provided.