Vehicle E/E Architectures

Vehicle electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures represent the fundamental infrastructure that connects and coordinates all electronic systems in modern vehicles, including sensors, actuators, electronic control units (ECUs), and communication networks. Modern architectures are transitioning from distributed systems with dozens of separate ECUs to centralized domain-based or zonal architectures that reduce complexity, weight, and cost while improving performance and enabling advanced features.

These architectures orchestrate communication between components using high-speed networks like CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and emerging automotive Ethernet standards. Advanced E/E architectures support over-the-air updates, enable software-defined vehicle capabilities, and provide the foundation for autonomous driving systems. They manage power distribution, data routing, security, and real-time control of vehicle functions. The architecture must balance performance requirements, safety-critical operation, cybersecurity, and cost while supporting the increasing complexity of modern vehicles with hundreds of sensors and actuators.