IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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92 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 control, navigation, ADAS visualization, and vehicle settings into unified displays. A single interface fail- ure can now affect multiple vehicle systems simul- taneously, increasing the operational impact of what might otherwise be considered a minor elec- tronic fault. 16 System Convergence and Cascading Risk In software-defined and zonal E/E architectures, ADAS, connectivity, and HMI subsystems increas- ingly share computing resources, high-speed communication buses, and power supplies. This interdependence means that a fault in a shared processor or communication channel can propa- gate across domains. For example, an ADAS sensor data bus failure can degrade not only safety func- tions but also navigation or infotainment feed- back unless isolation and redundancy mechanisms are designed into the architecture. 17 OTA updates further complicate this interaction. Updates intended to improve one function may inadver- tently affect others, particularly when hardware margins are already constrained. Industry expe- rience shows that defects introduced late in the development cycle are significantly more costly to resolve once vehicles are in the field. 18 To manage this risk, OEMs are adopting holistic validation strat- egies that treat software and hardware as an inte- grated system. These include fault-injection testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, and long- duration endurance testing that reflects real-world usage patterns. 19 Why EVs Are More Synergistic for ADAS and Connectivity EV platforms are designed for electrical propulsion, high voltage systems, and soft- ware defined control. This strong electrical base provides a natural framework for inte- grating advanced sensors, telematics, and high reliability control units required for ADAS and connected systems. An analysis describes that EV platforms already incor- porate advanced cooling, electrical distri- bution, and telematics infrastructure, which can be repurposed or shared for demand- ing compute loads like ADAS and real time connectivity. In platforms with dedicated liquid cooling for battery and motor, EVs can also support high performance compute (e.g., autonomous driving domain controllers) more effi- ciently than internal combustion engine (ICE) plat- forms. This integrated thermal/compute synergy helps maintain stable performance for safety criti- cal electronics. 20 Connectivity in EVs is often tightly coupled with essential vehicle functions such as battery manage- ment, smart charging, OTA updates, and safety monitoring. For EVs, onboard cellular and telemat- ics systems are fundamental to the vehicle's oper- ation, not just for convenience. Real time commu- nication supports predictive diagnostics, safety updates, and performance tuning, which directly influences reliability of embedded safety systems. A technology analysis points out that EVs rely more heavily on stable connectivity for core functions than ICE vehicles, where connectivity has histori- cally been optional or auxiliary. 21 Reliability, Trust, and the Path Forward Reliability in safety and interface electronics extends beyond traditional metrics such as mean time between failure. It encompasses predictability, clarity of feed- back, and consistency of behavior, all which shape user trust. Consumer studies show that driver confi- dence in ADAS can decline sharply after even a single false alert or unexpected system disengagement. 22 As EV adoption accelerates and autonomy features expand, expectations for flawless opera- tion will only increase. Industry standards address- ing functional safety (e.g., ISO 26262), cyber- Advanced camera technology aids in ADAS situational awareness.