Automotive LED lighting systems are comprised of the headlights, interior lights, rear lights, small lights, LED pixel light controllers, and DC/DC LED drivers. With increasingly dynamic and accurate LED lighting features that integrate flexible control, animation, and energy efficiency, key functions including supply, control, sense, actuation, and communication are also becoming more complex. Th...

As vehicles continue to integrate electronic control unit (ECU) networks for cutting-edge functionality, the automotive central gateway controller plays a central role in bridging and managing the transfer of data across various protocols (e.g. CAN, FlexRay, LIN, Ethernet, and ISO-9141). The central gateway achieves physical isolation between ECU networks, as well as portability between protocols ...

Automotive displays — which include the center display, heads-up display (HUD), and gauge instrument cluster — show key information and interactive content to the driver. The center information display is connected to the head unit, and provides navigation and other in-cabin infotainment controls. The automotive HUD and gauge instrument cluster provide easy-to-access information for the driver. Th...

Automotive in-vehicle infotainment systems are becoming increasingly software-driven to enhance safety and security, as well as the overall driving experience. Modern cars integrate driving and environmental information, passenger entertainment, wireless connections, and navigation into a centralized infotainment system architecture. However, with the rise of sophisticated in-vehicle infotainment ...

Rearview cameras are perhaps the most well-known camera subsystem used in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications. As this feature is being offered and expected in more and more vehicles, these camera systems must offer high integration and fast data processing to enable accurate, real-time monitoring of possible hazards behind the vehicle and channeling information directly to an L...

Front-facing cameras are an increasingly popular camera subsystem used in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications. Because this feature is becoming standard in more and more vehicles, off-battery camera systems must offer high integration and fast data processing to enable accurate, real-time monitoring of possible hazards in front of the vehicle, in addition to assisting with integ...

USB Type-C power delivery (PD) is gaining popularity across applications and markets, including in automotive. USB ports have become an expected standard in most car models, and are typically expected to offer both charging and data functionality. USB Type-C improves on older USB designed by offering a smaller, reversible port for easy plug-in and double the transfer speed of USB 3.0. USB PD proto...

Wireless in-car charging is becoming an increasingly popular feature in new vehicle models. The ability to charge a smartphone or other portable device by simply placing it in a designated area, such as a center console tray — without having to physically connect the device or plug it in — offers a world of convenience for consumers. Charging has become an expected standard in most car models, and...

Gaming controllers and peripherals are expected to have fast, accurate controls, reliable haptic feedback, and a long battery life. The nature of these devices means they must also be lightweight, comfortable to hold, and fairly durable. Connectivity options include RF signals, WiFi, Bluetooth, and near field control (NFC), and many controllers and peripherals integrate more than one of these. Oth...

Electronic smart locks are increasing in popularity with the rise of IoT and smart homes, as they provide convenience and a sense of security to consumers. Because they are typically battery-powered, energy efficiency to maximize battery life is crucial. The nature of these devices means they must also offer ease-of-use, stable operation, and the ability to withstand wide temperature ranges and ex...

Mobile points of service (POS) offer the same features as other portable POS devices from the convenience of a tablet or smartphone. POS are expected to deliver fast, secure payment transactions amid changing payment methods and rising customer expectations. They must offer high reliability, long battery life, ease-of-use, and quick processing speeds to accelerate checkout times. As retail and ser...

Drone remote controllers must be able to offer consumers the precise, reliable control of drones and multicopters without hindering speed, navigation, or flight time. Wireless connectivity, as well as fast data processing and communication across a broad transmission distance, are crucial to ensure proper control and safety. Many new designs also feature LCD or LED interfaces, or even smartphone c...

Driver monitoring systems are one of the latest developments in automotive safety technology. As part of a holistic human-machine interface (HMI), driver monitoring systems track vital sign parameters and driver attentiveness, so that in the event that the driver is unable to operate the vehicle, assistance can be provided. Of course, advanced new features add design complexity and additional cons...

Handheld thermometers provide a direct method for measuring personal body temperature. Contactless thermometers are crucial for cases in which measurements must be taken while minimizing the spread of viral and bacteria contaminants. This allows users in clinical settings, as well as homes and businesses, to get instant results while minimizing contaminant propagation. These portable devices requi...

Portable printers are incorporating more features into a small, lightweight packages. New designs are expected to include easier wireless connectivity, support for multiple input types, easy-to-use interfaces, and longer battery runtime. These printers must be able to quickly print high-quality renditions of documents or photos, as well as keep up with energy-saving trends that have increased the ...

Wearable fitness and activity monitors compose a sizeable portion of the growing wearables market. These small devices provide consumers a highly convenient option to track and monitor health information, send and receive notifications, and more. They can be worn on the wrist or clipped to a belt, and typically offer multi-standard wireless connectivity — from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to cellular baseb...

Perception-sensing systems have become a popular ADAS offering in new vehicles, and will continue to expand as new cars integrate radar with cameras and even LIDAR systems. However, each of these sensors has strengths and limitation — thats where sensor fusion comes in. By combining the inputs from all of the cars perception-sensing systems, the driver is provided with the best possible informatio...

77GHz radar is quickly growing in popularity for automotive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) applications. Perception-sensing systems are a growing market within ADAS technologies, and will continue to expand as new cars integrate radar with cameras and even LIDAR systems. Automotive imaging radar is used as an additional way to sense objects or potential hazards around the vehicle. 77GHz ...

Electrocardiogram (ECG, or EKG) devices measure heart rate based on electrical activity. This key piece of medical equipment is used in home, first responder, and clinical settings. New ECG designs are incorporating additional features such as wireless connectivity and innovative user interfaces. These devices are under a constant need to deliver highly accurate, reliable performance with reduced ...

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets and glasses are an increasingly popular wearable application that allows users to immerse themselves in a holistic audiovisual experience. The nature of these wearable devices means they must be lightweight, comfortable, and fairly durable as well as responsive to multi-sensory feedback and haptics. New designs are expected to offer longer b...

Docking stations offer a convenient way to plug in a laptop to common peripherals, such as DVI, COM, USB, and Ethernet — all with one connection. Typically, docking stations are made for a particular computer module, and offer different docking styles that allow a laptop computer to act like a desktop computer. With an increasing need for more peripherals and more complicated laptops, power design...