Automotive semiconductor systems are projected to transition toward a centralized architecture where a main artificial intelligence processor in the cockpit controls the entire vehicle.

On the 28th, e4ds news conducted the 'e4ds Semiconductor Technology Conference 2021 Spring' through an online webinar.

Yeon Gyu-bong, Center Director at Korea Automotive Research Institute, who participated in the conference, presented on "Automotive Semiconductor Technology Trends."

Director Yeon noted that automotive semiconductors are composed of semiconductor sensors, semiconductor processors, and power semiconductors, and while some function independently, networks are also configured within vehicles enabling mutual communication and organic operation.

He further emphasized that semiconductors have become increasingly important for autonomous driving, and predicted that as the semiconductor share in automobiles increases, the importance of reliability will also grow.

Currently, the Automotive Parts Research Institute has completed a core component development project for Level 3 autonomous vehicles, which includes nine components: △digital maps △RADAR △LiDAR △cameras △integrated positioning △V2X communication △ADR △integrated DCU △HVI, as well as △dedicated roads △urban demonstration.

The institute also mentioned that it has launched subsequent projects targeting Level 4 and Level 5.

Notably, automotive semiconductors are highly import-dependent and require localization, with the importance of reliability assurance through joint cooperation between module and finished vehicle manufacturers emphasized.

As automotive companies are increasingly entering semiconductor design directly, the importance of automotive semiconductors is expected to grow further in the future.

Particularly for autonomous driving, the environment is projected to shift toward a system where the main artificial intelligence processor in the cockpit controls the entire vehicle, with automotive semiconductor architecture transitioning toward centralization.

In parallel, as connectivity between existing non-safety systems and safety systems increases, the importance of functional safety for autonomous vehicle system semiconductors is also growing. It was emphasized that securing in-vehicle system semiconductor reliability technology for application to vehicle safety systems is critical.