Technology is constantly evolving. In the late 20th century, you saw the rise of personal computers, the internet, and mobile phones. Another technological era began in the next century (21st). You saw smartphones (the iPhone), the cloud (Google, Microsoft), and social media (think Facebook, Instagram, etc.) develop. In this period, you also saw pre-AI and machine-learning technologies come to life through accelerated computing.
In the late 2020s, you’ll continue seeing the newest technological trends: EVs (electric vehicles) and new (sustainable) energy applications. With new technology comes new standards and designs. With this in mind, you’ll need to future-proof your PCB manufacturing and design skills. UET PCB is an experienced manufacturer that can help you navigate the challenges of adopting these new technologies.
An Exciting New Field: Electric Vehicles
Today, the automobile roadmap points to an electric-vehicle future driven by major companies such as BYD, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, to name a few.
What are the new technologies involved in an EV
Lithium-Ion/Solid-state Batteries
Li-Ion batteries are the power source of most electric vehicles today. They have high energy density and are very efficient. Additionally, their charge-discharge cycle is ideal for cars. Typically, you’ll see Li-Ion batteries have 1000-3000 lifetime charge-discharge cycles.
However, Li-Ions are quite sensitive, so they need a BMS (Battery Management System) for the following reasons:
- They require over-voltage protection (typically up to 4.2 V). Failure to do so can make them explode or catch fire.
- They also need under-voltage protection (typically 2.5V min). You can permanently damage a Li-Ion battery by repeatedly over-discharging it.
- Constant thermal monitoring is required to ensure they remain within the safety zone.
- Current monitoring (including short-circuit protection) is needed to prevent overheating.
High-voltage circuits
Another new tech in use is higher-voltage circuits in EVs. Previously, automobiles/trucks ran with 12V/24V lead-acid batteries. Now EVs need higher voltages (400V – 800V) along with the newest inverter tech to maximise efficiency and power delivery to their electric motors and charging circuits. Electric motors are more efficient at these rated voltages, delivering higher torque output. Newer transistor drivers, such as SiC (Silicon Carbide) and GaN (Gallium Nitride), are being used for their excellent voltage-handling capabilities and thermal performance. Below is a simple table detailing some voltages of popular EVs.
| EV Type | EV Voltage | Example Vehicles |
| Hybrid | 48V | Toyota Prius |
| Standard EV | 400V | Tesla Model 3 |
| Newer EVs (High Performance) | 800V | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
| EV Trucks | 1000V | BYD commercial, Volvo trucks |
Connectivity and IoT
Vehicles are becoming more connected than before. Autonomous driving companies consistently collect data to learn how driving skills change. These data are always uploaded to servers. Vehicles must connect to cloud services and/or smartphones to navigate or use infotainment systems.
Autonomous driving
Autonomous driving can be achieved by using several cameras and LiDAR sensors. Additionally, AI models run on these systems to predict car movements. This process requires careful design and layout of high-speed serial protocols and microcontroller/microprocessor systems that include GPUs and NPUs. Below are some examples of automotive-grade SoCs (System-on-Chips) that utilise these technologies.
| SoC Name | Manufacturer |
| Drive Orin and Xavier | NVIDIA |
| Snapdragon Ride | Qualacomm |
| FSD Chip | Tesla |
| EyeQ series | Mobileye |
Future Frontier: New Energy and Sustainable Applications
Nowadays, the Earth faces challenges related to global warming and energy shortages. The trend now is to change how we use energy and switch to new, sustainable energy sources. Below are some of these new technologies relating to sustainable energy sources.
Windmills/ Wind Turbines
This technology converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, essentially functioning as a generator. The main formula for computing power is wind speed3. There are essentially two types of wind turbines:
- HAWT (Horizontal-axis turbines) – constructed in parallel to the wind direction.
- VAWT (Vertical-axis turbines) – constructed perpendicular to the wind direction. Omnidirectional.
Wind energy technology can be integrated into smart grids to route electricity to areas that need it automatically.
Solar Energy/ Solar Panels, Sola Farms
These convert sunlight energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells. Usually, large solar panels store the energy they harvest in batteries (Li-ion cells). An inverter converts DC energy into AC, which is useful for household applications. Solar energy is widely used in smart grids to distribute energy to specific areas efficiently.
Smart Homes
Smart homes connect to IoT networks so that the tech can control household appliances such as HVAC systems, smart TVs, refrigerators, and lighting. This process frees the user from energy or time-consuming operations or maintenance of various household equipment. Smart homes connect to various IoT protocols, such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
| Example Household Application | Smart Home Application |
| Lighting | Automated mood lighting, voice-controlled lights. |
| HVAC | Automated Temperature and Humidity control. |
| Appliances | TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines you can control with your smartphone. |
| Energy | Using solar for energy conservation. Smart plugs to automate switching on /off of appliances |
| Security | Smart locks and Intelligent Burglar detection systems |
Smart Grid
The smart grid is essentially an interconnected network of renewable energy sources. These sources may come from different places that efficiently communicate with each other through IoT and the cloud. They use AI to make the process more efficient while maintaining balanced energy distribution throughout the entire system. Below are some smart grid components:
- Smart Sensors – Monitors the environment, including voltage and current sensing. They may send data through IoT.
- Smart Meters – Measure energy usage and send it to both users and utilities.
- Data Concentrators – The gateway to cloud systems. They get data from multiple meters.
- Control Centers – Uses AI to optimize energy based on IoT data.
- Energy Management Systems – Load balancing and energy generation optimization.
- Distributed Energy Resources – Power generation/storage units such as solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems.
How to Choose a PCB Manufacturer for these new trends
Choosing the right PCB manufacturer can prevent headaches and problems during the manufacturing of your circuit boards. Choose manufacturers that have global standards and certifications.
For EV applications, ensure the manufacturer is compliant with and certified to IATF 16949 (Automotive QMS), ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), and AEC-Q100/AEC-Q200 (component reliability).
For new energy, ensure the manufacturer has IEC (Electrical Safety and Grid Integration) standards, such as IEC 62109 (Safety for Photovoltaic systems), IEC 61730 (Solar Module Safety), IEC 61400 (Wind Turbine certification), and IEC 61850 (Smart Grid Communication protocol), to name a few.
Conclusion
It is important to future-proof your PCB design skills as new trends in EV and new energy applications emerge. Know the new technologies involved in Li-Ion batteries, high voltage, communication, autonomous driving, and other trends in EV applications. Similarly, understand the latest trends in IoT, smart grids, solar, and wind energy applications. UET PCB is a certified and experienced partner that can help you with these new trend designs.