Conquering the Ever Growing Electronics Technologies in the Vehicle

The features of next generation Smart Vehicle programs pose a major challenge to the automotive industry as OEMs race to develop systems which enable reliable, efficient integration of vehicle and cloud-based ecosystems. The FEV team is capable and experienced to meet customer’s needs and expectations while delivering a cost-effective and reliable solution through the utilization of subject matter and domain expertise and specifically the industry first usage of true Smart Vehicle HIL systems.

To focus and enhance FEV’s capabilities in the areas of Infotainment, Telematics, ADAS, and Autonomous Driving, FEV recently formed the Global Center of Excellence Smart Vehicle. Included in that are also such key topics as Functional Safety and Cyber Security.

Barriers to a Successful Program

Each generation of automotive electronics, none more than any of the Smart Vehicle related areas, presents product teams with the challenge of finding new ways to address an old industry paradox: Develop new features and functions in a shorter amount of time and at a lower cost.
Within the world of smart vehicles, these demands require development to be performed by teams, distributed worldwide, working in an agile development environment with requirements and standards that in many cases are little more than a guideline.

Inevitably, integrating connectivity or ADAS solutions from multiple suppliers will result in the identification of incompatibilities between components and systems. The issue is further complicated by the compromises which are often made in the requirements development phase of a project. With deadlines looming, OEMs and Tiers are often placed in the unenviable position of haggling over who is the “least wrong”.

Proven Leaders in Smart Vehicle Integration Services

The above scenario illustrates why the system integrator role is critical to the success of smart vehicle related programs. FEV’s experience in all phases of product development has positioned us to be the leader in this space.

FEV’s system integration processes and tools enable and empower individuals from multi-vendor teams to work together. The key to this service is utilizing smart vehicle component and system experienced technical project management and subject matter expert professionals who can synergistically work with resources ranging from software developers to validation engineers. These unique FEV resources technically understand the issues and have the ability to anticipate and communicate any impacts to all stakeholders.

Process examples:

• Support engineering to remove all technical/non-technical roadblocks
• Use FEV’s Connected System Thinking methodology to provide component as well as system level expertise and experience
• Task prioritization to maximize efficiency
• Identification of program issues which require escalation to mitigate time drain
• Application of an integrated and effective approach towards defect management and triage
• Ensure validation resources diagnose the root cause not the symptom

Powerful Tools

To support the design and engineering capabilities with testing and integration services, FEV uses powerful test tools developed over many years. “With test platform tools such as the HMIts (Human Machine Interface Test System) and TST (Telematics System Tester) in our arsenal, we have a distinct advantage in the discovery of a defects root cause”, explained Stephan Tarnutzer, Vice President of Electronics at FEV North America and Global Center of Excellence Smart Vehicle at FEV. “These test tools are developed by our internal resources, which allows us to reconfigure each tool rapidly to characterize and identify root cause when new defects are discovered.”

Finally, as a “one-stop shop” for a system integration and validation project, FEV’s project management and validation teams can lean on FEV’s in-house embedded hardware and software development teams to consult on the deep dive issues which pose the greatest risk to program timing.

FEV’s multi-phased approach to eff iciently integrate a telematics solution as part of an overall Smart Vehicle ecosystem:

Phase 1: Specification Development

Collaborative workshops with customers to develop robust Telematics Requirements, i.e. TCU, TSP, feature implementation, Cyber Security, Functional Safety, etc.

Phase 2: Project Planning

Combined effort with customers to create program timing and milestones.

Phase 3: Project Initiation

Vendor Kickoff /Expectations, Test Methodology Development, etc.

Phase 4: System Integration Services

End-to-End bench testing and modeling, drive testing, root causing defects, etc.