Concept for 21 century

1) Automated Manual transmission

An AMT electronic system is an advanced control for gear shifting. This electronically
actuated and synchronized clutch and gear-box is able to improve the driving experience
(especially in city traffic) thanks to its capacity to complete the clutch and gear-shift
operations much more quickly and precisely than the human driver. The following block
diagram is the AMT solution provided by ST.
Start stop system

The idle time for a vehicle’s internal combustion engine can be reduced using a start-stop system
that automatically shuts down and restarts the engine, so minimizing the idle time.
Several implementations based on different technical solutions (cold and hot starters,
alternator/starter, etc.) are possible. However, the start-stop system must not distort the driving
perception and it requires that all the vehicle’s devices have to correctly keep their combustion-
engine functionality on.
Mechatronic Throttle Drive
ST provides a smart monolithic IC for mechatronic solutions driving DC motors. Suitable
applications are in the field of drive-by-wire concepts such as e-throttle and advanced turbo-
charger control systems. ST has the right answer for mechatronic drive-by-wire solutions.
 2) Electric traction
Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors supplied by rechargeable electric energy storage systems. Several
schemes to implement the propulsion system are already available, as well as several solutions to recharge the power
accumulators. A good solution for light-weight, small-size vehicles is a low-voltage electric traction system. The
embedded electronics must have high reliability standards to ensure the best power usage under all conditions. With
its broad product portfolio of power switches (MOSFETs), coupled with its ICs and microcontrollers, ST ensures the
best solutions for your electric traction application.

3) Power Steering

Electric power-assisted steering systems have gained a wide market over many years. The main advantages of these
systems over hydraulic-actuated systems is the use of an electric motor to power the steering wheels of the vehicle,
which reduces the power demand on the engine and so improves fuel saving. Power steering systems provide higher
torque at lower vehicle speed and lower torque at higher vehicle speed. With its broad product portfolio of power
drivers for brushless motor control, coupled with advanced microcontrollers, ST ensures a good choice for any power
steering application. A sampling of ST products that are applicable to power-steering control systems can be found in
the following block diagram.

4) EV (Electric vehicle)
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that uses chemical energy stored
in rechargeable battery packs. As with other electric vehicles, BEVs use electric motors and motor
controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion Electric Cars use the energy
stored in a battery (or series of batteries) for vehicle propulsion. Electric motors provide a clean and
safe alternative to the internal combustion engine. There are many pros and cons about electric cars.
The electric vehicle is known to have faster acceleration but shorter distance range than conventional
engines. They produce no exhaust but require long charging times.

Parallel hybrid: Parallel hybrid systems, which are most commonly produced at present, have both
an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor connected to a mechanical transmission.
Most designs combine a large electrical generator and a motor into one unit, often located between the
combustion engine and the transmission, replacing both the conventional starter motor and the
alternator.

Series-Hybrid: Series-hybrid vehicles are driven only by electric traction. Unlike piston internal
combustion engines, electric motors are efficient with exceptionally high power to weight ratios
providing adequate torque over a wide speed range. Unlike combustion engines electric motors
matched to the vehicle do not require a transmission between the engine and wheels shifting torque
ratios. Transmissions add weight, bulk and sap power from the engine. Mechanical automatic shifting
transmissions can be very complex. In a series-hybrid system, the combustion engine drives an electric
generator instead of directly driving the wheels. The generator provides power for the driving electric
motors. In short, a series-hybrid is simple, the vehicle is driven by electric motors with a generator set
providing the electric power.

Structure of a series-hybrid vehicle. The grey square represents a differential gear. An alternative arrangement (not
shown) is to have electric motors at two or four wheels.

Power-split hybrid or series-parallel hybrid are parallel hybrids. They incorporate power-split devices allowing for
power paths from the engine to the wheels that can be either mechanical or electrical. The main principle behind this
system is the decoupling of the power supplied by the engine (or other primary source) from the power demanded by
the driver.

Structure of a combined hybrid electric vehicle

5) HEV/EV – AC/DC (battery charger)

Recharging the battery from the mains supply is mandatory for electric vehicles and optional for hybrid electric
vehicles. Mains converters are thus devices that are going to became more common. The one shown is a conversion
system from a standard mono-phase and industrial three-phase mains supply to the DC high-voltage of the battery
pack.

6) Charging and Power Management

Today’s Charging and Power Management Systems require high reliability electronic components to ensure safe and proper
operation under all conditions. ST’s BCD (Bipolar + CMOS + DMOS) family of devices (ASSP and Full Custom ICs), coupled
with an extensive standard product offering, is the obvious choice for your charging and power management needs. A
sampling of ST (a worldwide leader of analog ICs for automotive) products that are applicable to Charging and Power
Management Systems can be found in the following block diagram.

7) Engine Cooling
The engine cooling fan is a high duty-cycle motor essential in city traffic where the fan could be continuously on. ST
provides leading ICs for the most reliable and cost-effective DC and brushless motor operation. ST’s brushless electronic
components (here designed in a simplified block diagram) use the motor’s back EMF to detect rotor position, avoiding the
need for expensive, high-temperature Hall effect transistors.

8) Engine Management Gasoline

Governmental regulations and energy concerns are driving the automotive industry to develop
very high performing gasoline-engine control systems. These improvements enhance electronic
applications in the fields of throttle control, gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing,
just to mention a few. ST offers a strong portfolio of advanced technologies (BCD for combining
precision analog, power, digital and non-volatile memory functions; embedded Flash 16/32-bit
microcontrollers for real-time control), coupled with an extensive standard product offering to
meet market demands. An example of this enhanced EMS can be found in the following block
diagram.

9) Electric Pump
Electric pumps, extensively used in the latest generation of vehicles, play a more important role
in EV/HEV vehicles. Many vehicle accessories such as pumps, or electric actuation of hydraulic
braking systems, work through electric motors. Different power sizes can be implemented with
the following topology based on a specific application.