The Synergy of Semiconductors, ADAS, and EVs: A New Era of Supply Chain Innovation   ​

The automotive industry’s shift towards EVs and ADAS has sparked a supply chain transformation. Recent semiconductor shortages and increasing chip demands per vehicle have forced semiconductor suppliers, tier-ones, and automotive OEMs to reassess strategies for supply assurance and long-term product differentiation, especially given the rising importance of semiconductor and software differentiation.

Rising Semiconductor Demand from the
Evolution of EVs and ADAS

Semiconductor suppliers are benefiting from the rise in EV and ADAS technologies, which require more diverse and complex semiconductor devices per vehicle than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The shift towards more advanced ADAS features, like high-level autonomous driving (AD level 4 and beyond), has led to an increased demand for advanced logic ICs and associated software platforms. This shift has also boosted the need for cutting-edge semiconductor process nodes for AI-powered vehicle interiors.

In electric vehicles (EVs), the powertrain drives the demand for more semiconductors. These power semiconductor devices convert the battery’s DC voltage to the AC voltage required by the electric motor. Previously, silicon insulated gate bipolar transistors (silicon IGBTs) were widely used. However, the industry is now shifting to high-performing wide-band-gap (WBG) semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), with the demand for SiC MOSFETs quickly growing to meet EV needs.

Automotive Supply Chain: The Emerging
Relationship between OEMs and
Semiconductor Suppliers

For automotive OEMs, the need for supply security and assurance as well as increasing strategic importance of semiconductors are prompting the rethink of the supply chain. Certain strategic shifts are starting to take place:

• Semiconductor players are now directly supplying automotive OEMs. This change has led to these vendors shifting their product strategy to offer more integrated automotive solutions instead of just selling off-the-shelf ICs.
• OEMs are starting to build some degree of semiconductor capabilities, including some IC design capabilities (similar to fabless semiconductor players), or are taking on design IP at the module level.
• Tier-ones are reevaluating and expanding their semiconductor role by either building on their existing core capabilities or building new capabilities at either the IC or module level.

The Need for a Standard Approach in
Automotive Semiconductor Testing

As supply chain shifts bring in new and potentially inexperienced players to semiconductor testing, a standardized approach becomes crucial. Various consortiums and standards bodies are vital in establishing universally accepted testing methods to progress the automotive-semiconductor ecosystem.

The European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) plays a vital role in standardizing semiconductor testing through influential publications like AQG 324, the “Automotive Qualification Guideline.” This guide, routinely updated by ECPE members and industry representatives, outlines common testing procedures for power electronics, including environmental and lifetime tests for components like SiC MOSFETs. Although not strictly enforced, this guide is widely accepted and often used as a reference globally.

For test vendors, offering test systems that closely follow or implement AQG324 or other standards is obviously helpful. The standardization ensures that test customers, regardless of whether they are OEMs, tier-one, or semiconductor vendor, can have a similar approach and implementation of important test capabilities.

Semiconductor Test Challenges for
Vehicle Electrification: Complexity versus
Reduced Timelines

The boom in automotive semiconductor demand brings significant challenges for test. These new, intricate systems necessitate complex testing. As manufacturers create more multifunctional devices to meet growing demand, testing becomes harder. Adding to the complexity are the stringent safety and reliability requirements, particularly for power electronics in EVs. These devices must undergo rigorous testing to ensure their resilience to high voltage, current, and extreme temperature conditions.

Key Considerations in the Evolving Electrification Landscape

• Developing devices capable of handling multiple functions
• Ensuring robust testing for high voltage, current, and temperature extremes
• Balancing speed-to-market with stringent safety and design complexities
• Innovating test technologies to support high-volume production

Despite the complexities and tough safety standards, the pressure to launch products rapidly remains high. Market windows continue to shrink, favoring those who can move swiftly to seize the substantial market opportunities. Consequently, the demand for high-volume automotive semiconductor production is propelling the evolution of testing technologies. Traditional test methods, often costly and time-consuming, are not ideal for high-volume production.

Test Strategy Defines Who Wins in
the Merge of EV, ADAS, and Semiconductor

As technology advances, engineering organizations become responsible for more complex product development with less time and fewer resources. Because of this continuing trend across transportation, only teams that proactively address the inefficiencies in their workflows will be effective in tackling technological innovation in the future. To succeed in this rapidly evolving market, semiconductor manufacturers must take critical next steps:

• Develop new test strategies ensuring the reliability and safety of semiconductor components
• Invest in innovative testing technologies to enhance throughput and minimize costs
• Consider test as a differentiating opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the market

Automotive players who can create a test strategy that allows them to quickly adapt to evolving requirements and scale effectively will be poised to win in the race to market. Taking the steps to elevate tools, people, and processes is the most reliable way to do so. As the electrification of vehicles continues driving innovation and growth in the semiconductor industry, the future belongs to those who can keep up with the pace of change. 

Next Steps

• Learn about NI's approach to the new semiconductor devices that power electric vehicles