Rapidly-Growing Automotive Electronics Sector Will Take Center Stage at electronica 2006

NEW YORK--Messe Muenchen International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International), organizer of electronica 2006, today announced that it has finalized the Automotive Electronics key application program events, which will be comprised of the Automotive Conference, the Automotive exhibition area and User Forum. Automotive Electronics is one of four key applications areas that will highlight electronica 2006.

The Automotive Conference’s main themes will include “Strategies, Trends, & Markets” on day one, “Sensors, Actuators & Mechatronic Systems” on day two, and the “Future of Hybrid Vehicles, Robustness Validation” on day three. Speaker presentations and panel discussions will be given by representatives from leading companies in the automotive industry, its supplier industry, and automotive electronics – Delphi Delco, Freescale Semiconductors, Renesas Technology, Infineon Technologies, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Audi, & Bosch to name a few.

Automotive growing meteorically

The percentage of electronic components in the automobile continues to grow at a rapid pace. The range of relevant applications extends from engine and transmission controls systems to comfort-management solutions, safety applications and infotainment systems, just to name a few. The international trade fair electronica examines the latest market developments in automotive electronics and gives you a comprehensive look at the industry’s technologies, themes, and trends. electronica 2006 will be the venue to see and discuss how electronic products and systems will influence future car and truck design.

Latest developments in automotive electronics

Safety systems represent one of the major markets in the automotive electronics sector. Automatic safety systems top the list, with devices such as airbags, passenger restraints, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. Increasingly important today are systems provided to help the driver, including lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warnings and predictive radars. The critical electronic component technologies in this sector are sensors and microcontrollers, essential for controlling and monitoring performance and safety.

Having already pervaded all aspects of the vehicle, sensors and microcontrollers are undergoing radical change. They are the focus of some of the most advanced research worldwide, benefiting from the latest micro/nano technology developments including MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) and advanced materials. A whole new range of sensor-based automotive applications will emerge, as sensors, capacitors and microcontrollers combine in miniaturized, rugged packages that can be mass produced at low cost.

Embedded systems developers will need to design error-free software. Green Hills Software, recognized as leaders in RTOS products for safety-critical applications will present its latest embedded software solutions for automotive products.

Telematics is another hot topic, and the subject of major, multinational research projects. The ability to transmit data to and from vehicles is becoming an increasingly-demanded function in new automotive applications, not only for vehicle diagnostics/prognostics, safety systems, traffic management and driver information systems, but also for integrating external mobile systems, such as cell phones and infotainment devices.

FlexRay, the latest data bus technology, is designed to meet the demand for high data rate networks due to increased electronic content, FlexRay is already available as semiconductor IP and on Freescale microcontrollers, and has further support from Philips and Siemens. With the support of BMW and DaimlerChrysler and more recently, Bosch, GM, Ford, Volkswagen and Audi, plus the promise of FlexRay-enabled cars before the end of this year, it is certainly a technology likely to succeed.

Wireless technologies have been slow to take off in automotive systems. The fear of electrical interference and the need for greater security measures have limited its application. However, demand for automotive-based wireless applications is mandating a change. Bluetooth, for hands-free mobile phone operation is leading the breakthrough, as are reliable and secure wireless sensor networks. OEMs and systems companies will be watching closely for showcase products later this year.

electronica attendees can register online

Using the online registration process, electronica attendees can order admission tickets or redeem their guest tickets. At www.electronica.de/tickets visitors can find a link that takes them right to the registration process page. There, attendees can enter their information. Once registration is complete, they will receive an e-mail containing a link to their personal online ticket voucher, which the attendees must then print out and take with them to the electronica. On site, the attendees can trade in their voucher for an admission ticket. The ticket voucher also authorizes the bearer to free transportation to the fair grounds with the city of Munich’s public transportation system (MVV).

About "electronica" and "Global electronics"

The "electronica" event is the world's leading trade show for the electronics industry. Since 1964, it has taken place every two years in Munich, Germany. Messe München International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) organizes this trade show as part of its "Global electronics" network, which includes “electronica” and “Productronica,” which are the world’s leading trade shows in their industry sectors. The network also includes premier regional trade shows in Brazil, Hong Kong, China and India. With a total of nearly 7,000 exhibiting companies and more than 250,000 attendees for the "Global electronics" events, MMI is one of the world's leading trade show organizers in this sector.

The www.global-electronics.net Internet portal is an online platform for the international electronics industry. It offers such resources as industry news, market data, product innovation updates, and application reports as well as information on the "Global electronics" trade shows. The www.ge-club.net "Global electronics Club" serves as the industry's worldwide networking platform.

About Messe München International (MMI)

Messe München International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair companies. It organizes around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With five subsidiaries abroad – in Europe and in Asia – and 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.