Innovation that will change the future of automotive electrical systems, introduction of the 48V system As innovation in automotive electrical systems has been accelerating recently, the 48V system is attracting attention. The 48V system is gaining attention as a key technology to overcome the limitations of existing 12V-based systems and achieve improved fuel efficiency and weight reduction.

Meanwhile, Texas Instruments published a white paper titled '48V Vehicle Systems: Why Now?' and predicted that this system will play an important role in both electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs) in the future.

The automotive electrical field began with attempts to develop a 42V E/E system in the late 1990s, but faced difficulties in commercialization due to technological limitations such as the lack of high-efficiency motors at the time.

Meanwhile, the introduction of internal combustion engine assistance systems using 48V batteries and small electric motors in lightweight hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) began to contribute to reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency.

Accordingly, the 48V system has overturned past unfinished attempts and presented a new paradigm for the automobile power system.

In MHEVs, the 12V rail is still primarily responsible for powering the electronics and control units, but the use of a 48V battery as an auxiliary power source requires a separate, large bidirectional converter.

This has a cost disadvantage, but this will soon be improved as high-voltage batteries can directly power the 48V low-voltage rail in electric or full hybrid vehicles.

The industry sees future BEV platforms as a key target for the introduction of 48V systems, and there are high expectations for not only power efficiency during the transition, but also design optimization of the vehicle's internal electrical system.

One of the recent design innovations in automotive electrical systems that is attracting attention is zone architecture.

Traditionally in vehicles Power distribution was wired by function, but zone architecture is a way to optimize the wiring harness by grouping power distribution, communication, and load operations by physical location.

This allows for a significant reduction in the weight and cost of wiring by using smart semiconductor fuses instead of conventional melting fuses.

In particular, incorporating a 48V low-voltage rail into the zone architecture reduces the wire gauge, which reduces power loss and PCB size, contributing to the weight reduction of the overall electrical system.

From a technical standpoint, a 48V system can deliver power at four times the voltage, while using only a quarter as much current to produce the same output.

For example, while a control module would require 100A of current in a conventional 12V system to be supplied with 1,200W of power, the same output can be achieved with just 25A in a 48V system.

Another example is a window motor that might require about 20A of current on a 12V system, but only draws about 5A on a 48V system.

This reduction in current demand can reduce the cost and weight of the wiring harness by up to 85%, which has a positive effect on the weight reduction of components and overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.


Another great benefit that 48V systems offer is the efficiency of production processes.

Installing thick wire gauges is traditionally a labor-intensive and manual task.The high weight has driven up manufacturing costs.

On the other hand, lower current requirements allow for the use of thinner wires, which may enable the introduction of automated wire harness installation processes.

As a result, the efficiency of the manufacturing process increases, and the cost-saving effect becomes more noticeable in mass production.

The automobile industry is expanding research and investment in various types of vehicles, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, as demands for environmental friendliness and improved fuel efficiency accelerate.

The 48V system is evaluated as a core technology that enables a fundamental redesign of the vehicle electrical system, rather than simply an additional function at the center of these changes.

In addition to reducing fuel consumption, cost savings, weight reduction, and efficient manufacturing processes through production automation are important factors for automobile manufacturers to increase their competitiveness.

Currently, major OEMs (automotive manufacturers) around the world are actively seeking to introduce 48V systems in the development of future BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs.

In this regard, technology companies are combining advanced power electronics technology and smart control systems to provide more sophisticated and stable 48V power solutions.

These technological advances are expected to play a major role in overcoming the limitations of automotive electrical systems and establishing core infrastructure for next-generation mobility.

The introduction of a 48V system means more than just a simple increase in voltage.

This reflects the company's commitment to maximizing energy efficiency through innovation in automotive electronic systems, while simultaneously reducing overall vehicle weight and production costs.

This change, which leads to technological innovation, improved production processes, and the development of eco-friendly vehicles that meet consumer demands, is aIt is expected to have a major impact on the entire automobile industry.

Meanwhile, TI's white paper, "48-Volt Automotive Systems: Why Now?" can be found at https://www.ti.com/document-viewer/lit/html/KOKY062?HQS=null-null-auto-48v_koky062-exah-whip-e4ds_auto_0422-kr_kr_aw&dclid=CjgKEAjw2ZfABhDzgLGP3PS46TESJABuaD55PC2hBHm4W6ciAxS2JYkcUjZrYmPN-V7JatjmvvMObvD_BwE&gad_source=7 .