White Paper: Design
Analyzing E/E Architectures for Software-Defined Vehicles
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Modern vehicles demand architectures that can evolve as quickly as the software running on them. Engineers are rethinking electrical and electronic systems from the ground up, moving from distributed ECUs to domain and zonal designs powered by centralized compute. This shift enables higher bandwidth, reduced complexity, stronger safety frameworks, and the performance headroom required for software-defined vehicles, electrification, and emerging automation features.
Our latest technical whitepaper breaks down the architectural decisions shaping the next generation of vehicles. From compute consolidation and network design to wiring optimization, functional safety, and cybersecurity, it reveals the engineering considerations that drive scalable, serviceable, and future-ready E/E systems. Real-world case examples help contextualize the tradeoffs behind modern topologies and the integration challenges OEMs are working to solve.
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Overview
This document, titled "E/E Architecture: Engineering the New Vehicle Nervous System," presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution, current trends, and future outlook of electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures in modern vehicles, driven by the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), electrification, and advanced automation.
The traditional automotive E/E architecture, characterized by many distributed ECUs each controlling specific functions with complex wiring harnesses, is increasingly inadequate due to its limited scalability, high weight, excessive complexity, and inability to support advanced features such as ADAS and autonomous driving. To address this, the industry has evolved through distinct phases: from distributed ECU architecture to domain controllers consolidating functions within domains, and most recently to zonal architectures supported by centralized high-performance computing (HPC).
Zonal architecture reorganizes vehicle electronics by physical zones rather than by function. Local zone controllers manage sensors and actuators within specific vehicle areas, connecting via a high-speed backbone to central HPC units responsible for advanced compute workloads. This approach significantly reduces wiring weight and complexity, simplifies manufacturing, lowers costs, and supports rapid over-the-air (OTA) updates and modular upgrades. It enables OEMs to delay hardware decisions and adapt the vehicle’s functionality through software, driving scalability across vehicle platforms from ICE to electric and autonomous vehicles.
The document highlights key challenges for SDVs, particularly the need for robust functional safety (ISO 26262) and cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434) frameworks given the increased connectivity and compute density. Semiconductor components with integrated safety and security features are vital, with manufacturers like Arrow providing comprehensive solutions, including world-class engineering services, supply chain management, compliance support, and ecosystem integration.
Case studies demonstrate practical implementations, such as a cockpit domain controller consolidating infotainment and instrument cluster functions on a single SoC running dual operating systems (Android and QNX) using hypervisor technology for secure isolation, and the role of Arrow as a solution aggregator bridging components to full E/E systems with supply assurance and lifecycle management.
Looking ahead, the next five years will see widespread adoption of fully software-defined platforms underpinned by zonal architectures, unified middleware layers, automated wiring harness manufacturing, and increased reliance on ecosystem partners for integrated hardware/software solutions. This paradigm fosters innovation, cost reduction, and enhanced vehicle functionality, positioning the automotive industry for the software-driven future.
For further information, Arrow Electronics remains a key partner guiding technology innovation for SDVs.
This summary captures the key points on the document's explanation of E/E evolution, SDVs impact and architecture trends, safety/security, practical implementations, and Arrow's role in enabling these transformations.