The Challenge of Automotive Electronics in the U. S. A.

The growth of electronics from the vacuum tube to the transistor and finally large scale integrated circuits and the impact of this growth on automotive electronics is discussed. Brief descriptions of current automotive electronic sub-systems are presented. Several experimental automotive integrated electronic systems, including diagnostic systems and display systems, which have been developed and tested are covered. A simple digital system containing inputs from transducers and driver commands; outputs to displays and actuators, and a central processor is used to describe the problems associated with installing an integrated electronic control system on an automobile. The problems associated with automatic radar braking are enumerated.