With the rapid advancement of modern automotive technology, interconnect systems are playing an increasingly critical role in vehicle design. Whether it's the powertrain system, in-vehicle infotainment systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), or high-voltage power management in electric vehicles, stable and efficient interconnect solutions are key to ensuring vehicle reliability and safety. This article explores the role of interconnect systems in modern automotive design and the related solutions offered by Molex.
Interconnect systems ensure smooth transition to smart and electric automotive design
Currently, the automotive industry is transitioning towards smart and electric vehicles, which places higher demands on interconnect technologies, such as high-speed data transmission, low-latency communication, high durability, and lightweight design. To meet these demands, automotive manufacturers and supply chain companies are actively developing innovative interconnect solutions to address the complex electronic architecture requirements, enhancing overall vehicle performance and user experience.
Interconnect systems can enhance vehicle functionality and meet consumer demands, helping automotive manufacturers integrate more complex modules and ECUs within a limited space. Interconnect solutions must offer exceptional reliability, robust mechanical design, and EMI shielding to ensure stable performance in high-vibration and high-electronic-noise environments. Modular and miniaturized designs help maximize PCB space efficiency, enabling high-performance infotainment systems and data-rich applications like ADAS.
Interconnect systems must also ensure efficient communication and stable operation between various electronic and power systems within the vehicle. Therefore, they need to provide high-speed data communication and network architecture support, high-voltage power and energy management, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities. Additionally, they must move towards modular and lightweight designs to improve system safety and reliability.
HFM interconnect system meeting high-speed data transmission needs
The Molex High-Speed FAKRA-Mini (HFM®) interconnect system provides high-speed data connections for advanced automotive systems, including cameras and telematics, offering data rates up to 28 Gbps at frequencies up to 20 GHz. The compact, lightweight form factor is optimized for rugged reliability and space efficiency. HFM connectors support 1.0A current and protocols such as APIX, ASA-ML, Ethernet, FPD-Link III/IV, GMSL 2/3, GVIF, HDBase-T, MIPI A-PHY, and PCIe.
The HFM system's compact design is significantly smaller than FAKRA connectors, reducing weight and saving installation space. This maximizes the use of limited PCB space, enabling more connections within a confined area and improving overall efficiency.
The HFM coaxial connector system provides automotive design engineers with next-generation functionality, offering a compact, high-performance solution tailored to meet the needs of modern vehicle architectures. The HFM system delivers reliable, fully shielded coaxial cable connections, enabling real-time communication with high-performance devices. This is crucial for ADAS, autonomous driving, and other advanced data-rich applications, such as high-resolution cameras, V2X communication, and infotainment systems.
The HFM system is designed for high reliability and adaptability in automotive environments, featuring an integrated secondary lock (ISL) and optional connector position assurance (CPA) to enhance terminal and connector fixation, preventing accidental disconnection in high-vibration applications. Sealed variants ensure durability by preventing water and fluid ingress, making the system suitable for harsh conditions and wide temperature swings. Its versatile modular design, with options for single, dual, dual-stack, and quad connectors and headers, allows for flexible wire-to-wire, wire-to-module, and wire-to-device solutions. This adaptability helps the HFM system support future vehicle networks, applications, and protocols, making it a future-proof tool.
Supporting multiple coaxial cable specifications to meet diverse needs
Molex HFM connectors, supporting RG174, RTK031, and RTK044 50-ohm coaxial cables with crimp terminations, offer a compact size and high-speed capability beyond standard FAKRA connectors. They feature improved terminal interfaces, enhanced electrical performance, and are optimized for automated mass production, while their modular design allows for future upgrades and technology integration. With up to 12 keying options and unique color moldings for easy identification, these connectors simplify and streamline assembly operations. The HFM interconnect system is versatile and can be applied to ADAS, autonomous driving systems, camera systems (including surround-view and lane assist), high-resolution displays, high-speed cable networks, infotainment, internet connectivity, radar systems, rear-seat entertainment devices, and sensor-to-device connections, as well as in telecommunications for RF antennas.
Comprehensive automotive network connectivity solutions
Molex, a leader in high-speed network solutions, offers advanced products such as the High-Speed Fakra Mini, USB Illuminated series, and HSAUTOLINK I and II series, supporting speeds up to 20 Gbps and multiple protocols. These solutions are ideal for modern radar, camera, and LiDAR systems, as well as infotainment, telematics, and camera-based sensors, ensuring excellent signal performance and robust EMI protection while meeting industry standards and environmental protection ratings. By leveraging its expertise in cables, connectors, and media modules, Molex meets the demand for high-bandwidth in-vehicle networks, making these solutions suitable for applications like diagnostics, data upload, navigation, and ADAS.
Conclusion
In the evolving trends of modern automotive design, interconnect systems have become a key element in enhancing performance, reliability, and smart experiences. As electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication continue to advance, the demand for data transmission within and between vehicles is growing, driving the development of high-bandwidth, low-latency, and high-reliability interconnect solutions. Modern interconnect systems must not only meet the stringent requirements of automotive environments but also balance lightweight, energy-efficient, and sustainable design. In the future, automotive interconnect systems will evolve towards greater intelligence and flexibility, laying the foundation for the realization of smart transportation and autonomous driving technologies. Molex's high-speed network interconnect solutions will ensure that systems can adapt to future changes in vehicle electronic architectures, further enhancing the driving experience and road safety, and driving the automotive industry towards a more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable future.