Convergence(R) 2004 Sessions Tackle Challenge of Seamless Integration

Auto and Digital Product Life Cycles: Like the Proverbial Turtle and Rabbit?

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 25 -- Convergence 2004, the premier global automotive electronics forum to be held Oct. 18-20 in Detroit, will feature three technical sessions focusing on the complex challenge of seamlessly integrating vastly different vehicle and electronic product life cycles.

"The success of Convergence has helped the auto industry better leverage technology's possibilities," says Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company and Convergence 2004 chair. "But now, electronic product innovation curves have shortened and vehicle life expectations have lengthened. To continue the benefits of convergence, and meet consumer demand, both industries must move to reconcile these diverging trends."

The details of seamless integration, from supply chain management to continuity of electronic auto parts to future semiconductor design will be explored at Convergence 2004 in the following sessions and technical papers:

Session 3: Supply Chain Management in a Digital World, chaired by Jabil Circuit Inc. and vice chaired by General Motors Corporation, Monday, Oct. 18, 2 - 5 p.m. This session focuses on the supply chain and how it must adapt to the rapid pace of change in the digital world. Papers include:

1. OEM Reuse Expectations and Implications for New Automotive Electronic Systems

2. Semiconductor Strategies for Providing Seamless Technology

3. Test Development Strategies for Evolving Automotive Electronic Technologies

4. A Sophisticated Approach to Cope with Supply Chain Management to Assure the Reliability of Electronics Systems

5. Quantitative Methodology to Ensure Supply Continuity of Service Parts for Automotive Electronics

6. Ensuring Component Supply Through the Product Life Cycle

Session 7: Systems Architecture: Software, chaired by IBM Corporation and vice chaired by SUN Microsystems, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2 - 5 p.m., explores automotive software management through standards, methods, processes, support tools and life cycles. Papers presented include:

1. Strategy for Optimal Design of Embedded Systems with Human Machine Interfaces

2. Model Based Software Development for Automotive Electronic Control Units

  3.  A Systematic Approach to Testing Automotive Control Software
  4.  Service-based Software Development for Automotive Applications

5. Intelligent Automotive System Services: Requirements, Architectures & Implementation Issues

6. Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR): An Industry-wide Initiative to Manage the Complexity of Emerging Automotive E/E Architectures

Session 15: Rate of Change in Electronics vs. Other Industries, chaired by Ford Motor Company and vice chaired by Lear Corporation, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2 - 5 p.m. In this session, attendees will discuss how the two industries can successfully transfer best practices and reconcile two dramatically different rates of change. Papers include:

1. Design Process Changes Enabling Rapid Development

2. The Automotive Challenge: Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask

3. Supporting Commercial Telematics and Consumer Products within the Automotive Lifecycle

  4.  Automotive Electronics: What Makes it So Special
  5.  Comparison of Aftermarket and OEM Development Cycles

6. Mating the Elephant with a Fruit Fly: Synchronizing Development Cycles in Automotive Electronics and Software

For a complete list of speakers, sessions, panels and exhibitors, visit http://www.convergence2004.org/ .

For 30 years Convergence, the world's foremost automotive electronics conference, has inspired dramatic innovation in automotive electronics by creating a forum for mechanical and electronic engineering experts.

Keeping with that tradition, Ford-sponsored Convergence 2004 will feature a record 86 white papers, 15 technical sessions, three interactive panel discussions, keynote speakers from industry leaders and more than 185 exhibits from international automotive and electronics companies.

This year's theme is "Vehicle Electronics to Digital Mobility: The Next Generation of Convergence."

Convergence 2004 gold sponsors are Ford Motor Company; Robert Bosch Corporation; Delphi; DENSO International America, Inc.; Freescale Semiconductor; General Motors Corporation; IBM Corporation; Motorola Automotive; Toyota Motor Corporation; and Yazaki North America, Inc.

The Convergence Transportation Electronics Association (CTEA) sponsors Convergence 2004. Proceeds from the conference will benefit the Convergence Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to support mathematics and science education for disadvantaged school-aged children.