Preface

With the development of automotive intelligence, the electronic architectures of new models such as the 2025 Volkswagen ID.7 are undergoing profound changes. The number of electronic control modules inside has been reduced from over 100 in traditional fuel vehicles to approximately 70. Behind this 30% reduction lies the technological inevitability of the evolution of automotive electronic architectures from distributed control to centralized control. This new architecture, pioneered by the Volkswagen Group, is driving the industry's transformation from relying on specific hardware to implement functions to flexibly defining and upgrading automotive functions through software.

This transformation poses dual challenges for electronic components: the need for higher integration and stricter reliability. In the traditional distributed architecture, each control module operates independently, with relatively separate requirements for components. In the new centralized architecture, however, a single zone control module must process tasks for multiple functional areas simultaneously. This therefore places system-level high demands on the performance, precision and reliability of core automotive-grade components such as resistors and MOSFETs.

Technical Principles of the New Architecture

1.1 Limitations of the Traditional Distributed Architecture

Traditional automobiles adopt a distributed electronic architecture, where each function corresponds to an independent control module:

• Functional independence: Windows, air conditioning, engine management and other functions are controlled independently by different modules.
• Complex wiring: Each module requires independent power supply, signal and ground lines, resulting in long and heavy vehicle wiring harnesses.
• Low collaboration efficiency: Modules communicate via traditional in-vehicle networks with limited bandwidth and high data latency, which restricts the development of advanced functions such as autonomous driving.

1.2 Core Design of the New Architecture

Taking Volkswagen as an example, the new architecture adopts a two-layer design of Zone Control + Central Computing:

• Zone control layer: The entire vehicle is divided into several physical zones, each equipped with a control module that integrates the functions of more than a dozen traditional modules within the zone.
• Central computing layer: A high-performance computing unit centrally processes core algorithms for autonomous driving, intelligent cockpits and other functions, supporting software function updates through over-the-air upgrades.

1.3 Technical Advantages and Impacts

• Simplified wiring: Significant reduction in the length and weight of wiring harnesses, lowering costs and energy consumption.
• Improved development efficiency: Reusable software functions shorten the development cycle.
• Enhanced system reliability: Fault diagnosis and repair capabilities are elevated from individual modules to the entire vehicle system level.

How the New Architecture Restructures Component Requirements

2.1 Increased Integration Requirements

The new architecture requires components to operate stably in more complex and highly integrated systems:

• A wider operating temperature range, with some areas needing to withstand higher temperatures.
• Higher tolerance for system voltage fluctuations.
• Denser circuit board layouts, demanding smaller components with excellent heat dissipation performance.

2.2 Upgraded Reliability Requirements

Reliability requirements have evolved from ensuring the reliability of individual components to ensuring reliability across the entire system:

• Stricter requirements for quality management systems, which must cover risks in system interactions.
• Enhanced reliability testing standards that simulate longer service lives and harsher road conditions.

2.3 Significantly Higher Precision Requirements

Centralized control demands more accurate data, for example:

• Battery management system current sampling: Precision requirements have increased from ±1% to ±0.5% for more accurate calculation of battery charge and health status.
• Motor drive current sampling: Both precision and real-time performance requirements have been greatly raised to optimize motor efficiency.

2.4 Emerging Intelligent Requirements

Components need to possess more "intelligent" features:

• Support for built-in diagnostics, such as real-time reporting of open/short circuit faults.
• Full traceability of parameters to enable quality tracking and predictive maintenance.

Conclusion

The evolution of automotive electronic architectures towards centralization has changed the logic of component selection: shifting from matching components for a single function to selecting integrated solutions based on complex system requirements. Amid this transformation, Hekotai's automotive-grade alloy resistors meet the requirements of key applications such as battery management under the new architecture with their high precision, high reliability and excellent temperature stability. Meanwhile, backed by complete quality system certifications, the supply chain stability of domestic production and high cost performance, Hekotai provides a reliable technical and commercial choice for automakers.