When it comes to sourcing automotive-grade electronic components, engineers must be mindful not only of the availability of parts but also of their quality, reliability, and compliance with strict safety standards.
The components used in vehicles, whether for engine control units (ECUs), infotainment systems, or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), are crucial to the overall safety and performance of modern cars. Therefore, understanding where to source these components and what factors to consider during the selection process is essential for ensuring that the end product is both durable and safe.
Where to source automotive-grade components
There are several avenues to explore when sourcing automotive-grade components, ranging from authorised distributors and direct manufacturer sales to OEM suppliers. Each option has its own advantages depending on the specific project requirements.
Authorised distributors
One of the most common ways to source automotive-grade components is through authorised distributors, which work directly with manufacturers to ensure that parts are authentic and meet industry standards.
This method provides a high level of traceability, which is particularly important in the automotive sector, where the ability to verify the origin of parts is essential for meeting regulatory and safety requirements.
Distributors such as RS Components, Digi-Key, Mouser Electronics, and Arrow Electronics are widely recognised for offering a broad selection of automotive-specific parts from reputable manufacturers. Using such distributors ensures that the sourced components meet automotive standards and come with the necessary documentation and support.
Manufacturer websites
Another option is to source components directly from manufacturer websites or through their recommended distributors.
Many manufacturers, including well-known names such as NXP Semiconductors, Infineon Technologies, Texas Instruments, and Bosch, provide direct purchasing options or maintain close relationships with authorised distributors.
By purchasing directly from these manufacturers, you can ensure that the components meet the highest standards for automotive use and often benefit from access to technical support, which can be invaluable during the design and implementation phases of a project.
OEM and Tier 1 suppliers
For larger projects, particularly those involving the production of specialised automotive systems, working with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers can be a practical solution.
These suppliers often collaborate closely with semiconductor and component manufacturers to develop custom parts that are tailored to specific vehicle systems. This route can be useful when sourcing components for unique or advanced automotive applications that require bespoke solutions or higher levels of integration.
Online marketplaces
While online marketplaces, such as Farnell and TTI, can offer convenience and a wide selection of parts, it is important to exercise caution when purchasing through online platforms.
Verifying the seller’s reputation and ensuring that the components come with full traceability is crucial, as using unverified or counterfeit parts in automotive systems can introduce serious safety risks. When sourcing through marketplaces, it is advisable to select only parts from reputable manufacturers and sellers who can provide the necessary certifications.
Choosing the right automotive-grade components requires a thorough understanding of the specific environmental and operational challenges that these parts will face. Factors such as compliance with industry standards, temperature tolerance, reliability, and long-term availability are all critical considerations when selecting components.
Compliance with automotive standards
Automotive-grade components must adhere to specific industry standards set by the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC), which are designed to ensure that parts can reliably withstand the demanding conditions found in vehicles.
The AEC standards most relevant to electronic components include:
- AEC-Q100: This standard applies to integrated circuits and ensures that these components meet the necessary reliability criteria for automotive use.
- AEC-Q101: This standard covers discrete semiconductors, such as transistors, diodes, and LEDs, ensuring their suitability for automotive environments.
- AEC-Q200: This standard applies to passive components, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and certifies that they meet the reliability standards required for automotive applications.
Manufacturers should clearly indicate whether their components meet these AEC standards on their datasheets, and verifying this compliance is vital before integrating any part into a vehicle system.
Operating temperature range
One of the key challenges in designing automotive systems is ensuring that the electronic components can operate reliably across a wide range of temperatures. In automotive environments, components are typically required to function between –40°C and +125°C, though certain parts, such as those used in powertrain or engine management systems, may need to withstand even higher temperatures.
Verifying that a component can operate within the expected temperature range is important for ensuring that it will perform reliably under all driving conditions, from extreme cold to high heat.
Reliability and durability
Vehicle systems are subject to constant vibrations, shocks, and exposure to environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and chemicals, and so reliability is key factor. Components must be durable enough to withstand these harsh conditions over the long term, often exceeding a decade of service.
Many manufacturers provide data on the expected reliability of their components, including metrics such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) or Failure in Time (FIT) rates. These figures offer insights into the expected lifespan of a component, and selecting parts with high reliability ratings is essential for ensuring the long-term performance of automotive systems.
Functional safety and ISO 26262 compliance
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of functional safety in automotive design, particularly for systems like ADAS and autonomous driving technologies.
The ISO 26262 standard governs the functional safety of automotive systems, ensuring that electronic components are designed to minimise the risk of faults that could compromise vehicle safety. While not all components will require ISO 26262 certification, parts used in safety-critical systems must comply with this standard to ensure that the vehicle operates safely in all conditions.
Qualification testing
Before components can be used in automotive applications, they must undergo rigorous qualification testing to ensure that they can handle the environmental stresses they will encounter in a vehicle. This testing typically includes thermal cycling to verify that components can function at varying temperatures, vibration and shock testing to simulate the forces experienced during driving, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing to ensure that the part does not cause or is not affected by electrical noise.
Components may also undergo salt spray and corrosion testing if they are expected to operate in environments exposed to road salt and other corrosive materials. Ensuring that the components have passed these qualification tests is a vital step in the sourcing process.
Component lifecycle and support
Automotive systems often have long development cycles, and the components selected must be available for the entire lifespan of the vehicle model, which can extend for many years.
It is important to choose components from manufacturers who offer long-term support and product availability to reduce the risk of obsolescence, which can disrupt production and require costly redesigns. Working with established manufacturers and suppliers can help mitigate these risks, as they are more likely to provide extended product lifecycles and ongoing support for their components.
Sourcing automotive-grade electronic components requires careful consideration of several key factors, including compliance with AEC standards, temperature tolerance, and long-term reliability. By sourcing components through authorised distributors, manufacturers, or reputable suppliers, and by ensuring that the parts meet the necessary qualification tests and industry standards, engineers can ensure the safe and reliable operation of automotive systems.
Prioritising traceability, quality, and long-term availability will help ensure that the selected components meet the demanding requirements of modern vehicles.
