What is an automotive chip?
2 Answers
Automotive electronic chips, collectively referred to as automotive chips, are chips used in vehicles. IC chips, or integrated circuits, encompass all electronic components. They integrate multiple electronic components on a silicon substrate to form a circuit module that performs specific functions, serving as the most crucial part of electronic devices by handling computation and storage. Below is an introduction to the classification of automotive chips: 1. Types responsible for computing power: Specifically, processor and controller chips, such as those used in central control units, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), autonomous driving systems, as well as engine, chassis, and body control. 2. Types responsible for power conversion: Used for power supplies and interfaces, such as IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) power chips for EVs. 3. Types acting as sensors: Mainly used in various radars, airbags, and tire pressure monitoring systems.
Automotive chips are essentially miniature computer components installed in vehicles, distributed throughout the entire car like a nervous system. These tiny semiconductor chips handle various electronic signals—from controlling fuel injection during engine ignition to operating the anti-lock braking system that helps you stop automatically. Older vehicles relied solely on mechanical parts, whereas modern cars contain hundreds of these chips. Recently, my car's infotainment screen kept freezing, and the mechanic diagnosed it as overheating of the entertainment system chip. These chips are also categorized by grade—for instance, those controlling power steering must use military-grade chips, which are ten times more durable than smartphone chips. Automotive-grade chips must endure temperature fluctuations from -40°C to 150°C, making them far more rugged than mobile phone chips.