Introduction to Automotive Electronics Major
With great pride and respect, welcome to the School of Automotive Engineering, Automotive Electronics Department.
The Automotive Electronics and Electrical Engineering major is a branch of automotive engineering that deals with the integration and advancement of electronic systems in vehicles. The importance of electronics in modern vehicles is rapidly increasing, such that the value of electrical and electronic components accounted for about 35% of the total vehicle value in 2010 and is expected to reach 50% by 2030.
When we talk about Automotive Electronics, it encompasses a variety of concepts. Generally, these include electrification (modern powertrains), smartification (autonomous and connected vehicles), as well as electrical and control systems of conventional (internal combustion) vehicles.
Specialized Areas of the Major
Electrification (Modern Powertrains)
With the increasing demand for passenger cars and consequently the increased dependence on fossil fuels and environmental problems, automakers have turned to the use of modern powertrain methods, especially hybrid and electric. Also, domestic automakers, emphasizing future energies, are looking to replace a portion of internal combustion vehicles with hybrid and electric vehicles. The presence of hybrid and electric vehicles in the domestic market and the willingness to allocate resources for the production of these types of vehicles have increased the need for engineers in various fields such as design, maintenance, and after-sales services.
Smartification (Autonomous and Connected Vehicles)
The smartification of vehicles, including autonomous and connected vehicles, is considered one of the most important developments in the automotive industry in recent decades. These technologies not only improve safety and comfort but also increase efficiency and productivity. Autonomous vehicles, with the ability to detect and respond to road and traffic conditions, can help reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. On the other hand, connected vehicles, with the ability to exchange data with other vehicles and road infrastructure, provide the possibility of optimizing fuel consumption, reducing pollution, and enhancing the driving experience. These technologies also create a new path for the future of transportation by supporting advanced services such as high-definition mapping, smart navigation, and real-time communications.
Electrical and Control Systems of Conventional Vehicles
One of the serious needs in the automotive industry is the presence of specialized engineers in the field of designing and analyzing various electrical parts of the vehicle, including the electrical system (network protocols and standards), sensors and actuators, control systems such as the Engine Control Unit (ECU), stability systems, and so on.
Specialized Courses of the Major
Some of the approved courses of this major that are offered in each period include:
Automotive Electronics
In this course, the following concepts are addressed:
- Network protocols (Multiplex) and related standards.
- Automotive sensors and actuators.
- Design of control systems such as Engine Control Unit (ECU): design process, related standards like AUTOSAR and ISO 26262.
- Power electronics in electric and hybrid vehicles.
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Design of Battery Management Systems
The energy storage system in modern vehicles, such as electric ones, is of great importance as it is a bottleneck component and a major part of the vehicle's cost. In this course, the following concepts are examined:
- Reviewing the development trend of batteries and electric vehicles and the market.
- Lithium-ion battery modeling.
- Designing and modeling estimation methods for State of Charge (SOC), State of Health (SOH), balancing, etc.
- Design and simulation of the Battery Management System (BMS).
- Reviewing BMS hardware.
- Various tests and related standards.
Top Universities Worldwide in This Field
- Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
- Clemson University, Department of Automotive Engineering (USA)
- University of Brighton (UK)
- Eindhoven University of Technology TU/e (Netherlands)
- Birmingham City University (UK)
- University of Surrey (UK)
