Delphi's 'Next Century Winners' Driven by Electronics and Systems Integration
23 February 1998
Delphi's 'Next Century Winners' Driven by Electronics and Systems Integration
TROY, Mich., Feb. 23 -- Cars won't be able to fly at the
start of the 21st Century, as some pundits once predicted. But at the dawn of
the Information Age, Delphi Automotive Systems is harnessing the two forces
that will drive revolutionary change in the automotive business: electronics
and systems integration.
Both elements power Delphi's seven "Next Century Winners" technologies,
unveiled today at the 1998 SAE International Congress and Exposition (booth
#1829).
These technologies will provide consumers with enhanced vehicle control,
superior occupant protection, collision avoidance systems, onboard
communications systems, advanced energy and engine management systems,
advanced electrical and electronic vehicle architecture, and passenger
entertainment.
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, which was added to Delphi in December
1997, contributes its electronics expertise to all seven "Next Century
Winners." Further, at least two of Delphi's divisions contribute to each
technology -- illustrating the depth of the company's systems integration
work, synergy and resources.
"Our true strength is our ability to give OEMs the power to simplify,"
said J.T. Battenberg III, president of Delphi Automotive Systems. "We're able
to help OEMs put breakthrough technologies on their vehicles at a lower cost.
We're able to integrate complex systems into modules to help speed assembly
time. And we're able to develop common systems that can be tailored to a
specific region of the world to help OEMs 'go global.' In short, we can make
OEMs winners in any marketplace."
Delphi's seven "Next Century Winners" are:
"Mobile Media." Delphi Automotive Systems brings mobile media to vehicles
with the introduction of an ultra-high speed fiber-optic serial data link
called Mobile Media Link, which is capable of providing multiple-channel
digital audio and video. Delphi is showcasing its systems integration and
mobile media capabilities on two demonstration vehicles -- the Network Vehicle
and the Personal Productivity Vehicle.
Both the Network Vehicle, done in conjunction with IBM(TM), Sun
Microsystems and Netscape Communications(TM), and the Personal Productivity
Vehicle, done with Microsoft and Saab Automobile AB, feature the most advance
mobile communications, entertainment and computer desktop functions.
Both vehicles are enabled by Delphi's mobile media link that can connect
and control inputs and outputs to connect a variety of consumer electronic
products such as head-up display, television antenna and tuner, DVD player,
compact disc player, digital stereo audio, and digital speaker amplifiers.
Data are transmitted and distributed from the network nodes via the
plastic optical fiber physical layer, passive star and optoelectronic devices
developed by Delphi Packard Electric Systems. Delphi Delco Electronics
Systems provides the hardware, standard link protocol and integrated circuit
design. The MML fiber optic bus is capable of signal transmission rates of
110 megabits per second and can support up to 50 channels of audio and 20
channels of TV-quality compressed video.
"'Mobile Media' demonstrates our ability to work with companies outside
the automotive industry," Battenberg said. "It's a prime example of how
Delphi is using creative solutions to help meet the needs of our customers."
Integrated Vehicle Electrical/Electronic System. Delphi Automotive
Systems opens the door for OEMs to use breakthrough technologies that require
extensive electrical and electronics (E/E) content with its Integrated Vehicle
E/E System.
This system combines electrical and electronic content into one optimal
system, adaptable to the content and design of various vehicle platforms.
Technologies include network communications (i.e., multiplexing), fiber-optic
data transmission, multi-drop wiring, E/E controllers, and electronics
integrated switches, connectors, sensors and actuators.
The approach results in: smaller, easier-to-package E/E controllers;
smaller, easier-to-install wiring harnesses and connectors; fewer electrical
interfaces; reduced mass; increased function flexibility; increased system
reliability; and simplified component and vehicle assembly.
ENERGEN(TM). ENERGEN is a family of advanced energy management systems
that will give OEMs the power to expand vehicle electronic content and the
ability to better address global warming concerns.
The systems include a 200-volt AC induction integrated motor/generator, a
multiple-voltage battery system and high-power electronics. Together, they'll
enable the vehicle to operate in three different modes -- internal combustion,
electric, or a combination of the two.
This optimization of energy will provide increased power to support
advanced electrical/electronic needs. It also will deliver dramatic savings
in fuel economy, which is a critical element in the reduction of carbon
dioxide (CO2) exhaust emissions.
Collision Avoidance Systems. The Delphi family of collision avoidance
systems under development consists of adaptive cruise control, collision
warning and collision intervention. The systems are designed to help avoid
vehicle crashes through the use of object detection sensors and automatic
control of brakes, throttle, steering and suspension.
Highlights of Delphi's collision avoidance technologies under development
include: adaptive cruise which helps drivers maintain a proper speed and
distance by "adapting" the performance of the cruise control by throttle
control and limited braking; collision warning product line which includes
forward, side and rear detection systems and collision intervention systems,
under development, that provide limited automatic assistance to the driver
during potential crash situations.
"X-By-Wire" System. Delphi's new drive-by-wire system, which in the
future can be integrated with the Collision Warning Systems to provide even
greater vehicle control, is a family of braking, steering, throttle, and
suspension control systems.
These advanced systems -- which include "Brake-By-Wire," "Throttle-By-
Wire," "Damper-By-Wire," "Roll-By-Wire," "Front and Rear Steer-By-Wire," and
Traxxar(TM) -- are revolutionary because each functions without conventional
mechanical hardware connections. Instead, each system is connected by wires
that communicate information from various sensors positioned throughout the
vehicle to an electronic control module. This module then provides input to a
system's motorized actuator, which performs the mechanical function of the
system.
X-By-Wire's unique approach provides consumers with enhanced vehicle
control. The system's modular design, meanwhile, provides OEMs with reduced
mass, simplified assembly and increased packaging flexibility.
Advanced Safety Interior. Advanced Safety Interior (ASI) is an evolving
portfolio of technologies designed to provide unparalleled protection in
frontal, side and rear collisions, as well as in vehicle rollover situations.
By using its extensive knowledge in interior systems and electronics,
Delphi will be able to physically and functionally integrate components and
subsystems for optimized performance.
Significant ASI technologies highlighted at SAE include anticipatory crash
detection system, adaptive belt restraints, rollover sensing system, active
knee bolster, adaptive energy-absorbing pedals, adaptive load steering column
and distributed restraint system architecture/safety bus.
Development also continues on Delphi's Adaptive Restraint
Technologies(TM), which serve as the building block to ASI. As the company's
solution to "smart" airbags, Adaptive Restraint Technologies will work in
harmony to monitor driver and passenger characteristics (i.e., weight,
posture, size, seat position, seat belt usage) and the severity of a crash.
Using that data, the technologies will tailor airbag deployment to provide
optimized occupant protection.
Advanced Engine Management Systems. Because government regulations,
customer expectations and driving conditions vary so widely across the globe,
OEMs typically must create a number of engine management systems to meet those
needs.
To simplify this situation, Delphi is developing an advanced engine
management system. This system features a "building block" approach that uses
modular systems architecture, rapid algorithm development tools and controls
as a base. Then, depending upon an OEM's requirements, Delphi will be able to
add off-the-shelf interchangeable hardware, software and "plug-and-play" tools
so that recalibration work will be kept to a minimum.
The system will save fuel and reduce emissions, while helping OEMs cut
costs and speed fast-to-market goals.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is the
world's most diversified supplier of automotive components and systems. With
the recent integration of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, Delphi operates
208 manufacturing facilities, 46 ventures and 27 technical centers in 36
countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.
Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com.
SOURCE Delphi Automotive Systems
