Software Defined Vehicles
Zonal architectures
Forvia Hella enters strategic development partnership with ADI
Forvia Hella and Analog Devices (ADI) are jointly developing a configurable electronic fuse solution designed to simplify vehicle power distribution. The system is expected to enter series production in 2028 as part of next-generation zonal architectures.
As vehicle architectures continue to evolve towards zonal and software-defined designs, power distribution is becoming a central system function rather than a peripheral necessity. Against this backdrop, automotive supplier Forvia Hella has announced a strategic development programme with semiconductor specialist Analog Devices aimed at rethinking how onboard power networks are controlled and protected.
Intelligent Configurable Fuse
At the heart of the collaboration is iConF (intelligent Configurable Fuse), a solution that combines an electronic fuse, an integrated circuit and dedicated control software into a single, tightly integrated system component. The goal is to create a scalable and software-configurable approach to power distribution that fits the requirements of modern zonal E/E architectures.
Under the partnership, Forvia Hella takes responsibility for the overall iConF technology, including application software and the development of the electronic fuse system. Analog Devices contributes its expertise in next-generation eFuse ICs, covering circuit design and the underlying semiconductor architecture. According to the companies, the solution is already backed by an initial high-volume customer project, with series deployment planned for 2028 as a core element of zonal controllers.
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Power control moves into the zone controller
Zonal controllers, developed by Forvia Hella, consolidate electrical and electronic functions within defined vehicle zones, replacing today’s highly decentralised architectures. Within this setup, iConF actively monitors and controls the vehicle’s power network, detects faults in real time and supports fail-operational behaviour. This ensures that safety-critical functions such as steering or braking remain available even in the event of a fault.
Unlike conventional fuses, electronic fuses operate reversibly and do not require physical replacement. As a result, they no longer need to be positioned in easily accessible locations, opening up new freedoms in vehicle packaging. Forvia Hella estimates that this approach can reduce wiring harness weight by up to 25 percent — a significant advantage in terms of efficiency and cost.
Beyond weight reduction, integrating the eFuse IC with intelligent control software reduces component count and installation space, while enabling detailed data acquisition and diagnostics. The decoupling of hardware and software also allows power distribution functions to be updated over the air, without changes to the underlying hardware or vehicle architecture.
Samples of the iConF eFuse IC are already available, marking an early step towards what both partners see as a foundational technology for future software-defined vehicles.
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