Automotive is among the fastest-growing segments of the electronics application market, with global revenues expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3 percent from 2002 to 2008*. The strong growth in automotive applications is driven by the ability of electronic techniques to improve every aspect of the car, including reliability, safety, performance, environmental impact, and driver/passenger comfort and convenience.

A top-three automotive semiconductor vendor* that supplies chips to all major car makers worldwide—and the largest supplier to the market in China, STMicroelectronics combines an unparalleled platform of advanced technologies with a thorough understanding of the automotive market gained through close collaboration with leading customers and an unswerving commitment to quality. The Company’s automotive solution portfolio covers all key application areas in the car: Powertrain, Safety, Car Body and Infotainment/Multimedia.

Safety
ST provides a broad range of solutions to increase vehicle occupant safety, including electronics for airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electric power steering and suspension systems.

STMicroelectronics is the leading supplier of chips for automotive airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS), which currently represent the largest portion of automotive safety electronics.  At the vanguard of new application development, STMicroelectronics is also a leading player in the field of advanced safety. Advanced safety systems use an understanding of the state of the vehicle to both avoid and minimize the effects of traffic accidents. These systems are expected to become standard automotive equipment by the middle of the next decade.

STMicroelectronics works in partnership with Mobileye on the development and production of chips for the visual-aid driving-assistance segment of the automotive market. The advanced System-on-Chip employs ST’s high-dynamic-range camera sensor to provide lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, vision/radar fusion and pedestrian detection for active safety behind the wheel. The solution has been adopted by several first-tier suppliers and car manufacturers in Europe, the US and Japan.

Another contribution to increasing road traffic security is ST’s adaptive lighting system, which controls and adjusts headlamp leveling, bend lighting and adaptive front lighting based on the vehicle’s current position.

Powertrain
STMicroelectronics provides silicon solutions for a broad range of engine management systems, from non-complex motorbikes and scooters to highly sophisticated multi-cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) and common-rail diesel car engines. ST’s wide portfolio of solutions spans cost-effective and consolidated systems up to the most advanced drive-by-wire solutions.

* iSuppli, March 2007

Developments in engine management are driven by governmental emission regulations and energy concerns. ST is working with major automotive OEMs to develop new applications that better control the fuel injection to reduce its consumption. These include a number of advanced technologies including Variable Valve Timing and Gasoline Direct injection (GDI).

Advanced Variable Valve Timing devices combine and synchronize variable camshaft timing and valve lift, variable compression ratio, and intake manifold tuning, to improve car fuel economy. In GDI engines, fuel is injected directly into the cylinder instead of premixing it with air in separate intake ports. This mechanism allows for more precise control of combustion and emissions, offering a potential 25% improvement in fuel economy and emissions compared with conventional gasoline engines.

ST’s advanced technologies enable sophisticated automotive innovations, including “mechatronic” solutions that combine mechanics, electronics and computing for junction box, door-zone module and body-control module. ST addresses various mechatronic drive-by-wire applications, such as electronic throttle, which replaces the conventional cable between the accelerator pedal and the throttle with an electronic control and advanced turbo-charger control systems.

Car body and Convenience
Today’s car body is a myriad of inter-networked electronic systems, from dome and door zone controls, HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems and seat controls to wiper and lighting controls. The penetration of electronics in the car is increasing all the time, together with the requirements for improved reliability and diagnostic capabilities.

ST’s industry-leading smart-power technologies, including BCD (Bipolar‑CMOS‑DMOS) and VIPower, enable effective integration of interface, control, and communication blocks together with the power-driver section and a cost-effective implementation of distributed intelligence. These capabilities are seen as key to success in today’s automotive electronics and have undoubtedly been one of the keys to ST’s industry-wide success in the last two decades.

ST addresses the concept of the smart junction box with a comprehensive architecture consisting of upgradable hardware and software modules. The smart junction box is an intelligent power and switching centre of the vehicle that integrates functions and features from exterior and cabin lighting to wiper and tire pressure control and remote keyless entry. The latter two applications also leverage the Company’s world-class expertise in Radio Frequency (RF) technologies.

ST’s super-integrated smart-power devices for the door zone integrate all control functions and power circuits in the car door, including electrified mirrors and windows, electrical door locks, lights, and the control panel.

Car multimedia and infotainment
ST’s car infotainment and navigation portfolio includes complete turnkey solutions for digital radio and multimedia, navigation and telematics, and wireless connectivity in the car. Combining its expertise and extensive IP portfolio in Automotive, Multimedia, and Communications, the Company supports all current and future integrated services that improve the driving experience.

ST is the world’s leading supplier for digital satellite radio (including the exclusive supplier to XM and Sirius) and has the IP and expertise to support all major international standards for terrestrial digital radio, including DAB/DMB, Digital Radio Mondiale and HD Radio. The Company produces all car radio components, from the tuner through the baseband to multimedia processing and playback, and its radio systems are optimized for harsh reception environments and minimized power consumption. To date, ST has shipped more than 30 million digital-radio ICs.

ST is at the forefront of the development of next-generation digital broadcasting services in the car. During the world’s first implementation of in-car mobile TV in Germany in June 2006, ST’s T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) solution proved its exceptional video and audio quality, scalable performance, and ultra-low power consumption at cruising speeds of over 200 km/h.

ST’s digital broadcasting chipsets have been selected to enable a ground-breaking Backseat TV service from Sirius in selected 2008-model Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge automobiles.

ST’s GPS devices combine accurate positioning with low power consumption. They are ideal for use in telematics and navigation platforms, (in-built and portable}, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) toll collection, car-radio control and mobile computing applications. The Company’s portfolio includes the market’s most integrated solution that combines a high-sensitivity GPS subsystem with a powerful application processor on a single chip. ST’s state-of-the-art GPS technology is used in Garmin’s industry-leading portable and handheld navigation devices.

Looking further ahead, ST’s designers are exploring the use of wireless technologies in advanced car-to-car communication systems for cooperative safety.

Automotive Grade
The automotive market offers a particular challenge to the semiconductor industry. In effect, it demands almost military quality and reliability at consumer prices. The automotive environment is an especially hostile one, with operating environment temperatures ranging from ‑40ºC to +55ºC; high energy transients and accidental battery reversals not uncommon; and high levels of vibration that can damage solder joints. Moreover, even minor electronic malfunctions caused by semiconductor failure may severely inconvenience the car owner.

ST’s Automotive Grade products are designed to meet the specific and rigorous demands of the automotive market. The qualification criteria span product qualification and characterization, safe production parts approval, statistical yield analysis and part average testing, as well as specific screening and test methods during manufacturing process. ST’s Automotive Grade policy aims at a zero-defect capability, establishing the Company as the best-in-class in the automotive industry.

December 2007