Cooperation forum on vehicle electrical systems 2025

The presentation "On-board energy networks of the future: A look at technical challenges and trends" analyzes further developments of on-board energy networks and physical on-board networks that BMW sees for the architectures after the New Class. The focus is on key technical topics that will shape the industry in the coming years, including digitalization, the potential of artificial intelligence in development, automation and predictive maintenance. In particular, it will be discussed which topics and inputs from the industry are necessary in order to develop innovative solutions.

• How can we make good forecasts on future market development (worldwide) for drive types?
• Why are we where we are today: a meta-perspective on current drive development
• ICE,BEV, PHEV, REX...: Where is the journey heading?
• What are the main drivers of development in drive types?
• What trends need to be considered in the context of drive developments?

• Leoni is supporting its Chinese customers for pacing development phase since last years. Specific mindset and processes are necessary for fruitful results.
• In addition, Leoni is supporting its European customers on reacting to this new pace and flexibility.
• In this presentation, Leoni compares different engineering approaches to highlight main differences in processes & culture.
• Finally, key lessons learned will be shared to exchange on how adapt to this new environment.

• The integration of L3/L4 ADAS/AD and X-by-wire components, along with the consideration of SDV constraints, introduces new challenges on vehicle electrical systems.
• We highlight the global challenges and the necessity for reliable energy distribution in modern vehicles.
• We present an analysis-based safety design approach, which enable comprehensive multicriteria optimization of complex architectures, taking relevant requirements into account.

The automotive industry is facing far-reaching changes - from software-defined vehicles and electrification to new requirements due to AI and sustainability. These developments not only affect products, but also the way we work together. The presentation will shed light on why cooperation, standardization and modularization are key success factors for the future. Using selected examples from the wiring systems sector, typical challenges and possible solutions will be highlighted. The aim is to provide impetus for more efficient, flexible and sustainable cooperation. The article invites you to question existing ways of thinking and develop new perspectives.

Next-generation on-board network architectures - built on high-bandwidth networks and service-oriented architecture - significantly increase the cybersecurity attack possibilities on vehicles. The foundation of any AI and quantum-safe security architecture is high-quality entropy. Conventional True Random Number Generators (TRNG) are increasingly exposed to classical physical effects (e.g. temperature or supply voltage fluctuations), which attackers can probe and amplify using AI-based analysis - resulting in medium-term vulnerabilities. This presentation introduces a quantum random number generator (QRNG) that significantly reduces the risk vector compared to TRNGs by extracting entropy from quantum phenomena.
We present the ELMOS innovation: an ultra-small, vertically and monolithically integrated QRNG with scalable throughput from ~500 kbit/s up to several Mbit/s, very low power consumption and operation down to 1.8 V as well as a very short warm-up phase - for faster key availability at system startup than TRNG alternatives. The solution is available either as a standalone IC (DFN 2×2 package) or as an embeddable block for higher level designs and technology nodes (µC, sensors, actuators, interface nodes). The quality of the random numbers is proven and the robustness against manipulation is ensured by various protective measures.
We compare the attack surfaces of TRNG and QRNG, give implementation details and show how the ELMOS QRNG enables cost-efficient, low-power and fast cryptographic key provisioning for secure in-vehicle and cross-domain communication in automotive and adjacent mobile and IoT applications.

Keywords: QRNG, automotive cybersecurity, wiring system architectures, entropy source, TRNG, ELMOS, AI / quantum-safe encryption

Daniel De Monte's presentation presents the vision of the "off-the-shelf test fixture" - a standardized, catalogued EOL test fixture as a counter-design to the custom-made individual products that are common today. Based on the status quo of end-of-line testing in wire harness and component production, the article highlights the structural and economic disadvantages of individual test fixture solutions: high development costs, low quantities, lack of coordination and the risk of delays in production start-up.

The vision presented raises the test fixture to the quality and standardization level of established test technology components. Early integration, central organization and uniform specifications establish the new standard, which significantly improves quality, availability and scalability - while at the same time reducing effort, costs and risks. The presentation concludes with a call for industry-wide cooperation and outlines the next steps for practical implementation.