Semiconductor packages for automotive applications

Automotive Electronics Revolutions in automotive technology have been driven by two motivations; maximizing comfort and fun, and “zeronizing” accidents and eco-hazards.[1] Recent resource-conservation move has promoted applications of electronic technology for better gas utilization. Many mechanical parts have been replaced by semiconductor devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and electric motors to make vehicles safer, more comfortable and eco-friendly. Numbers of electronic control units (ECUs), MEMS and electric motors used in a vehicle have reached 100 to 130 pieces now. Downward trend of MEMS costs has also boosted the adoption of MEMS for vehicles. These replacement of mechanical parts with electronic devices are taking place in all parts in a vehicle, such as power train including an engine, transmission and battery controls; networking including controller area network and local interconnect network; information and entertainment system including global positioning system-based navigation and mobile communication; body and security system including a cipher door lock, power window, air conditioning and intelligent beam; and safety system including predictive and proactive mechanisms, avalanche airbag safety system, stability controls and driver´s face monitoring. Consequently, number of electrical and electronic devices used in a vehicle has been increasing, boosting the ratio in material cost. Small vehicles generally spend 15% of material costs on electrical and electronic devices and consume 0.21 wafer with a diameter of 150 mm. Luxury vehicles spend 28% and consume 0.48 wafer, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) spend 47% and consume as much as 0.96 wafer. Regulations against CO₂ emission are accelerating the move to electric vehicles and raising the consumption of silicon. The amount of silicon consumed for a vehicle is significant when compared with a typical personal computer, where 0.12 wafer is consumed.[2]