The Impact Of Discrete Semiconductors On The Transportation Industry

Image source Freepik

Discrete semiconductors are present in every aspect of our lives. They are the drivers of the new technology that relies on electronic devices. The transport industry is among the sectors that have widely benefited from the use of discrete semiconductors. What form of transport do you normally use on a daily basis?

The modern forms of transport are characterized by lots of technological features. Take an example of a typical internal combustion engine(ICE) It has an array of electronic components. As long as a system has an electric circuit, you will not fail to find the presence of semiconductor components.

Discrete semiconductors are widely credited for the major transformations that are taking place in the transport industry. In this article, we are going to discuss the major impacts of semiconductors on the transportation industry.

Overview of discrete semiconductors in the transport industry

What makes discrete semiconductors important in the transportation industry? Well, this is based on their intrinsic characteristics when they are included in electric circuits. For instance, these components will conduct electric current only after satisfying specific conditions. These components are made of wide bandgap materials, which means that they have a high energy gap. Silicon is one of such materials. This property also means that the components are rarely affected by major variations in temperature.

With such and many other properties, you will easily find many reasons why semiconductors are part and parcel of the modern transportation industry. Currently, electric vehicles are increasingly becoming popular. Also, the traditional ICEs are embedded with numerous driver-aid features that are designed to enhance the overall driving experience.

Other forms of transport such as air, water, rail, and many others have also witnessed the same levels of advancements thanks to the development of semiconductor technology.

How  discrete semiconductors have affected the transportation industry

Now let’s look at the various impacts of discrete semiconductors in the area of transport.

Better engine performance and management

The engine performance in modern vehicles is way better than in the older vehicles. They rank higher in many different aspects including power delivery, reliability and fuel efficiency. This has been made possible by the engine control units (ECUs) which contain numerous discrete semiconductors.

Thanks to the ECUs, you can easily monitor the real-time performance of a vehicle’s engine. You can tell how it is performing and also come up with the best ways of improving its performance. ECUs also monitor and regulate other factors that affect the performance of a vehicle’s engine. These include temperature and pressure. Such control mechanisms help to increase the lifespan and reliability of engines.

The engine performance does not only affect motor vehicles but also all other transport forms that rely on the engine. They include ships, boats, aircraft, and motorcycles, among others.

Better management of the transport network

Discrete semiconductors have made it easier for transport companies to manage their fleets. Today, you can easily monitor the movements of vehicles from remote locations. Trucks and other commercial vehicles are fitted with trackers which have the full capacity to track their real-time locations.

Other than location, semiconductor components that are embedded in tracking devices can give information about the fuel consumption of the vehicles among other vital parameters. All this data is used by managers to make accurate decisions about their businesses. The end result is the profitability of the transportation businesses.

Development of hybrid and fully electric vehicles

Even though ICE vehicles are still in the automotive market, we cannot deny the fact they are slowly being phased out by electric and hybrid vehicles.   Electric cars are fast becoming popular globally. Some countries and even states have announced plans to completely replace internal combustion vehicles with electric ones within the next few years.

On the other hand, hybrid vehicles are packed with the features of both ICE and electric vehicles. They have battery packs that power their electric motors. One of the advantages of hybrid vehicles is lower fuel consumption.

Discrete semiconductors are used in every aspect of both hybrid and electric vehicles, whether it is in the charging of the battery packs or general energy management functions.

Enhanced safety in the transportation industry

Modern means of transport are assumed to have higher safety ratings than before. Discrete semiconductors have played critical roles in improving the safety of modern transport systems.

Most safety features in vehicles and other forms of transport are electronically controlled. There are sensors that monitor the real-time situation and send signals to a vehicle for necessary action. For example, airbags will deploy in case of a collision.

Other safety features that are found in the modern transportation industry include electronic stability systems, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and traction control systems among others.

Reduced emissions in the transportation industry

For years, the transportation industry has been ranked among the to contributors to the emission. As long as the means of transport are powered by ICE, then it is expected to emit significant chunks of gases, something that will contribute to the degradation of the environment.

Introduction of electric vehicles is just one of the ways in which discrete semiconductors are trying to minimize emissions from the transportation industry. Even modern ICE vehicles are embedded with high-tech features that cut down on their gas emissions.

Conclusion

Discrete semiconductors have numerous advantages that directly affect the transportation industry. We have just discussed a number of notable impacts of discrete semiconductors in this industry. Their features and characteristics make them suitable for various aspects of the transportation industry. Innovations and developments that we have witnessed and are still witnessing in this industry can be credited to the use of discrete semiconductors.

So, are you building as system or application that you think will be valuable in the transportation industry? Having the right discrete semiconductors should be your top priority. It all starts by choosing the best discrete semiconductor distributors in China. They will ensure that you find the right discrete semiconductors that will meet the needs of your transportation project.

If you want to find more Electronic Components Distributors, please check out the following articles:

Electronic Components Distributors In the USA

Electronic Components Distributors In UK

Electronic Components Distributors In China

Electronic Components Distributors In India

Electronic Components Distributors In Singapore

Electronic Components Distributors In Malaysia

Electronic Components Distributors In Vietnam

Electronic Components Distributors In South Korea

Electronic Components Distributors In Taiwan

Electronic Components Distributors In Hong Kong