Communications protocols proliferate in the drive toward autonomous vehicles
It’s not news that the electronic content of an automobile takes up an ever-increasing percentage of its cost. In fact, it is estimated the electronic content will reach 35 percent of vehicle value by 2020, and 50 percent 10 years later (compared to only 15 percent as recently as 1990). Current luxury automobiles include up to 150 electronic control units (ECUs)—modules that control almost every aspect of vehicle operation, from fundamental functions such as engines, transmissions, and brakes, to infotainment and convenience features such as audio, video, and navigation.