Chips find new market in adaptive braking systems

A study from market researcher Semico stated that automotive adaptive braking systems will demand an increasing amount of chips and transistors. The demand growth is forecasted to approach the triple-digit percent range over the next five years.

While the recession slows down demand in most application segments, the demand from tier ones and OEMs active in the production of adaptive braking systems will sport a CAGR of more than 100 percent through 2012. And this does not even include energy recuperation systems which in hybrid-driven and electric cars will be used to transform the kinetic energy into electric energy, the company said. "There is no commonality between the systems and neither affects the other one in terms of semiconductor content," said Semico director strategic technologies, Morry Marshall.

The complexity of adaptive brake systems which belong into the large family of intelligent assistant systems asks for a broad range of semiconductor types used in these systems. According to Semico, the smart brakes employ analog, logic and memory devices. The analog chips used in this application family includes amplifiers, voltage regulators, transceivers and mixed-signal ASSPs while the systems are controlled by logic circuitry including 32bit MCUs, MPRs and PLDs. The firmware typically is stored in NOR flash devices.

"Adaptive braking systems are in use now on high-end passenger cars and a few commercial vehicles", Marshall explained the reason for the demand explosion. "As usual for new automotive applications, adaptive braking systems will soon trickle down to more widespread use. The costs will come down, but the real reason that their use will spread is that adaptive braking systems will reduce the number and intensity of collisions."

- Christoph Hammerschmidt
Automotive Design Europe