Foreword
ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY
TE Connectivity is a global industrial
technology leader creating a safer,
sustainable, productive, and connected
future. Our broad range of connectivity and
sensor solutions, proven in the harshest
environments, enable advancements in
transportation, industrial applications,
medical technology, energy, data
communications, and the home. With more
than 85,000 employees, including over 8,000
engineers, working alongside customers in
approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that
EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more
at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook,
WeChat and Twitter.
Consumer and societal demands for greater
safety, electrification, digital-life integration and
connectivity have been driving an increasing
number of electronic functions within vehicles,
leading to ever growing complexity in the
electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture.
This is causing vehicle OEMs to introduce
"smarter" architecture designs whereby much
of the physical complexity is transferred to the
software that controls the vehicle - with traditional
function-dedicated electronic control units (ECUs)
being replaced by more powerful centralized
control units organized in distinct zones. Often
known as "zonal architectures" this approach
not only streamlines the wiring harness, reducing
weight and complexity, but also paves the way for
more scalable and flexible vehicle designs.
A key enabler of this transformation is
connectivity. In a zonal architecture, robust and
high-speed communication networks are essential
to ensure seamless data exchange between
zones. Moreover, connectivity technology will
need to provide space saving solutions to the
higher number of connections across a fewer
number of high-power control units and with
a greater level of modularity to support more
automated assembly processes.
TE Connectivity offers an extensive range
of cutting-edge connectivity products and
technologies developed for the needs of "Zonal"
and next-generation E/E architectures. These
include high-speed data, modular-hybrid,
and miniaturized connector systems that are
automation-ready and designed and manufactured
according to high sustainability specifications.
We hope this publication provides you with
inspiration as you explore solutions for your next-
generation E/E architecture connectivity.
By Rüdiger Ostermann, CTO, TE Connectivity Automotive
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Zonal Architecture: Delivering New Standards of Connectivity for Automotive and Beyond
