Page 17 - Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (January 2020)

Emerging Technologies

Mentor

The Capital software suite enables tradeoff studies with cost, weight and bundle-size metrics to optimize a harness design.

shielding materials, various network protocols and can provide a solution to problems wrought by automo-
even automatically create ground points. tive innovation. By leveraging engineering solutions
Finally, ongoing architectural optimizations and with high levels of automation, advanced metrics and
system-level changes can have wide-ranging effects analytical capabilities, engineers can overcome these
on the E/E system and wiring harness. In addition, challenges. Such solutions enable tradeoff studies to
changes can be initiated throughout the engineering optimize harness materials, component placement and
and manufacturing processes, driving constant routing for minimal harness weight/cost/diameter.
redesign efforts. It is extremely important to develop Design automation then can generate optimal
a structured and disciplined approach to change wiring based on device and signal location, and the
management early on in the project. physical constraints of the vehicle. As the development
Advanced E/E engineering software can provide of the E/E architecture and wiring harness progresses,
an elegant solution. Integrated device databases can be comprehensive change-management facilities and a
enhanced with change-control mechanisms to deter- robust digital twin ensure that the various engineering
mine ownership over design data and the direction in domains remain in step with all needed information.
which certain changes should flow. Vehicle automation, electrification and connec-
With these enhancements, this database will tivity are coming closer to mainstream reality. These
immediately provide automated and structured technologies will progressively shift the emphasis in
change-management procedures. automotive enginering from mechanical systems to
E/E architecture.
New challenges, new solutions The resulting capabilities provided by an
The move to electrification and AV driving places advanced E/E engineering software solution will be
additional burdens on the wiring harness. As OEMs critical to delivering a robust, reliable and cost-effec-
pursue these trends, they must consider the number tive vehicle platform. ■
and sophistication of technology features they inte-
grate into vehicles, as they have a direct effect on wiring Engineer Dan Scott is Integrated Electrical Systems market
harness weight/diameter/cost. director at Mentor, A Siemens Business. Ulrike Hoff is an inde-
Modern harness design and engineering tools pendent automotive wiring consultant.

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