Auto Manufacturers' Drive to Simplify: Hybrid powertrains are adding complexity to electrical architectures that may already be reaching their limits.

Automakers need better and faster devices that will enable them to consolidate more functions into fewer electronic modules.

In today's architectures, modules are located all over the vehicle. Engine controls, for example, are tucked under the hood. Transmission controls are on the transmission, cockpit controls are mounted on the firewall and safety modules tend to be located near sensors.