Arrow Electronics has launched a research hub focused on next-generation vehicle electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture to support evolving electric vehicle (EV) platform design.
Modern EVs rely on increasingly centralized computing structures rather than distributed control units assigned to individual functions. This architectural shift reduces reliance on hundreds of discrete modules and moves toward domain and zonal controllers capable of managing multiple vehicle systems through consolidated processing.
In EV platforms, centralized electrical architecture can reduce internal wiring by up to 20%, contributing to lower vehicle mass and improved energy efficiency. Reduced harness complexity also simplifies thermal management, packaging, and serviceability, while enabling over-the-air software updates and long-term feature scalability.
The transition to software-defined EV platforms requires coordinated development across semiconductors, power electronics, interconnect components, and embedded software. Design considerations include high-speed data communication, functional safety compliance, cybersecurity validation, and lifecycle component availability.
Arrow’s initiative includes technical resources addressing semiconductor integration, interconnect and passive component selection, AUTOSAR implementation, and automotive functional safety standards. The research hub provides engineering-focused materials intended to support EV architecture redesign, component sourcing strategies, and system-level integration planning.
As EV architectures consolidate computing and power distribution, electrical system design increasingly influences weight reduction, software integration capability, and long-term platform flexibility.
Filed Under: Power Electronics, Technology News