Delphi Expert to Lead Discussion on 42-Volt Systems At 33rd Annual ISATA Conference Sept. 26
5 September 2000
Delphi Expert to Lead Discussion on 42-Volt Systems At 33rd Annual ISATA Conference Sept. 26
DUBLIN, Ireland, Sept. 5 A key Delphi Automotive Systems
engineer will discuss the automotive community's efforts to
provide standardization and define technical challenges facing the
implementation of dual and 42-Volt electrical systems during Europe's leading
automotive and transportation technology conference, the 33rd annual
International Symposium for Automotive Technology and Automation (ISATA)
conference.
Norman Traub, technology integration manager for Delphi's Packard Electric
Systems division, will present a keynote address, "Dual/Higher Voltage: A
Global Opportunity," at the conference here Sept. 26.
"The automotive industry is on the verge of making enormous breakthroughs
in mobile multimedia, safety, drive-by-wire systems, and other technologies
that require increased electrical energy and power needs," Traub said.
"Vehicle manufacturers are faced with the challenge of providing more
electrical power to offer increasingly fuel efficient and safer vehicles with
additional customer features. The rate of growth of electrical load in cars
has been increasing in recent years, and at some point, it will cease to be
economical to supply this load given today's automobile electrical supply."
For approximately the last five years, vehicle manufacturers and their
suppliers have been investigating the best way to achieve a substantial
increase in the electrical supply capacity, and the most cost effective way to
provide the higher amounts of energy being forecasted. Delphi, a world leader
in the design, development and manufacture of power and signal distribution
systems and the largest global volume supplier of automotive batteries to
vehicle manufacturers, has been developing solutions and electrical
architecture alternatives that will meet the new requirements of dual and 42-
Volt systems.
"Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are in agreement that global
cooperation and standardization will be needed," Traub said. "Today's nominal
voltage when the generator is running is 14 volts, and a consensus has formed
that an additional voltage level is required -- nominally 42 volts. The
change is expected to significantly enhance the use of power electronic
components and systems on automobiles."
Among the organizations fostering this consensus is the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT)/Industry Consortium on Advanced Automotive
Electrical/Electronic Components and Systems. Delphi is a charter member of
this organization, begun by MIT in 1996 with 11 vehicle manufacturers and
component suppliers. It has now grown to include 44 companies around the
world. The consortium sponsors research at MIT on subjects related to dual
voltage electrical systems and holds three meetings per year among member
companies.
Although vehicle voltage levels are being standardized, the vehicle
architecture is not being standardized. During his presentation, Traub will
outline several electrical architecture alternatives, in addition to
addressing technical issues, challenges, transition and associated 42-Volt
system implementation issues.
Traub has been integral in Delphi's research and development initiatives
related to 42-volt electrical systems. He holds four U.S. patents and
numerous research reports/publications in the areas of automotive
multiplexing, large industrial drive systems, electric cars and automotive
safety/security systems.
Founded in the early 1970s, the International Symposium for Automotive
Technology and Automation has provided the automotive engineering community
with a platform for open debate about the latest innovations and cutting-edge
ideas. ISATA has provided a European forum for engineers from major
international automakers, suppliers and research establishments to discuss the
latest innovations in product development and manufacturing processes, and the
latest advances in technology.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 39
countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .