It doesn’t seem too long ago that the electrical system in a vehicle was mostly concerned with lights, starter motors, radios and windshield wipers. Those days are long gone. The automotive industry is currently realizing a dramatic increase of electronic equipment for onboard vehicle control. In modern cars, a variety of electronic control units (ECU) delivers sophisticated real-time control functionality.In the automotive industry, there is little doubt that electronics growth will continue. To remain competitive, it is crucial to seamlessly integrate the new technology. Whether it’s an entertainment system, keyless entry, a back-up camera or touch screen navigation, the role of the automotive manufacturer is increasingly becoming that of a system integrator working closely with its suppliers.There is a long tradition