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Little parts, big challenges Connectors and chip packages must meet a broad range of requirements in automotive electronic systems. Beyond SOS The telematics business is diversifying as today's providers grow their capabilities. Fuel for thought The demand for clean, renewable energy is driving research into different sources of fuel and new, more flexible engine technologies. Network topology will be key SAE 100 Future look: From the perspective of a global supplier of automotive manufacturing technology, especially in the area of machine control, Siemens views the issue of network topology as the key driver for the future. Driving to global, speaking the same language SAE 100 Future look: Globalization is an essential strategy for success in the automotive industry. The power of turbocharging SAE 100 Future look: Today, more than 50% of all newly registered passenger cars in Europe are turbodiesels.

Advanced materials for manufacturability The big three- aluminum, titanium, and composites- duke it out in the sky. Automation makes big advances Aircraft manufacturers continue to adopt new technologies that improve efficiency, speed up production, and reduce worker injuries. Electric braking debuts in military and commercial applications SAE 100 Future look: Goodrich led the development of electromechanical aircraft braking with a highly focused team of experts from three divisions within the company, each working in their own fields of expertise: braking performance, electronic controls, and electromechanical acutators (EAs). Looking into the future with NDT SAE 100 Future look: The need for systemized inspection inthe aircraft industry did not arise until the dramatic increase in air travel that took place in the late 1940s. Electronic warfare SAE 100 Future look: Today's combat aircraft commonly use electronic warfare (EW) receivers and jammers for self protection.

Global technologies Much of the excitement surrounding such aircraft as the point-to-point 787, hub-to-hub A380, and 7X business jet is due to the application of new technologies. Engineering a career With an impending shortage of aerospace engineers, industry and academia team to mold future engineering talent for an increasingly global environment. Taking research to the bank Behind the doors of BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Center. Testing toward perfection In a competitive global market, commercial aircraft need to be lighter, faster to market, cheaper to build, easier to maintain, and safer than ever.

Broadening horizons Japanese manufacturing continue to diversify, investing in the launch of a domestic premium brand, updating an iconic sports car, and developing a variety of safer micro cars that are gaining popularity all over the world. Today for tomorrow Japanese automotive manufacturers are researching new engine technologies to improve power, efficiency, and emissions. Continental Flying Spur Bentley engineers sought "no compromises" in creating their new GT-based 312-km/h (194-mph) sedan. Material issue Automakers apply advanced materials to stem the rising tide of weight from increasing safety and convenience features. Testing trends This special edition of Testing & Simulation focuses on some of the more innovative technologies designed to satisfy the industry's demanding testing needs. Trading in a socket wrench for a software patch The good old days of taking your car to the repair shop down the street and hoping for the best as Mr.

Designing high-bypass nacelle inlets Simulation significantly reduces the time required of engineers at Goodrich to evaluate inlet performance and preliminary designs. Virtually eliminating prototypes IBM PLM Solutions developed by Dassault Systemes have enabled Dassault Aviation to meet the challenges of the executive business jet market with a new virtual platform. DOD looking for faster fixes The U.S. military is in the midst of a mighty push at its bases and depots to shorten the time it takes to get aircraft, trucks, tanks, and other weapon systems out the gate after they arrive for repair. A vision of military and civilian aviation tomorrow SAE 100 Future look: At Dessault Aviation, we believe the quest to fly "higher, faster, and further" that moved moved aviation's pioneers will continue to blaze new trails in the 21st century.

Body assembly Automakers cut sheet metal and weld bodies as precisely as possible to lay the foundation for good overall vehicle quality. Handling the ride Delivering a balance between ride and handling has traditionally been a challenge for suspension designers, but suppliers of different technologies are showing how compromise may not be the only solution. Brilliant displays Liquid crystal displays and light-emitting diodes are helping to enable bright, reconfigurable screens. Performance from within Automakers gild profit margins and polish reputations with in-house high-performance divisions. Hybridized SUVs A redesigned hybrid drivetrain gives Toyota's V6-powered SUVs--the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h--V8-like performance and compact-class fuel economy while achieving the most stringent SULEV emissions standard. Automatic upgrade Toyota's hybrid system gets a transmission overhaul for SUVs.

Testing in the field Hardened data-acquistion modules benefit companies conducting off-highway testing in harsh environments. Continuing to advance technology With close to $1 billion spent on R & D in 2004 alone, Caterpillar is taking a lead role in the push to move the commercial-vehicle industry forward. Testing trends This special section highlights some of the latest equipment used by engineers to evaluate new technologies. The forgotten compact engine Though heavy-duty engines have gotten most of the industry attention lately, smaller engines are out there working hard, with seemingly little respect. Productivity drives future agricultural technologies SAE 100 Future Look: Despite the tremendous rate of change in the agricultural equipment industry, one common theme has led the technological advances in agricultural equipment.

Super-sized rig Goodrich has unveiled the world's largest landing gear test facility, lending credence to the nation that bigger sometimes can be better. Space goes commercial Redundancy, control, and software are key enabling technologies toward bringing space flight to a store near you.

Technology development under pressure Achieving major cuts in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption continue to be the big challenges facing the European automotive industry. But are the targets realistic, can emerging technology deliver solutions, is driveability likely to suffer, and will the end-user face higher costs? Pulling power The European industry is creating more (or at least as much) with less for the latest-generation powertrains. Chassis evolution Is it time for suspension system designs--increasingly costly to develop--to be standardized to conform to the ride and handling requirements of particular types and segments of cars instead of constantly being re-invented? The mere idea is anathema to some, but tempting common sense to others. Creature comforts Priorities for interior design are many and include increased safety, reduced noise, greater comfort, less complex ergonomics, and more systems support for the driver.

F-35 manufacturing ergonomics addressed Human-factors simulation from Delmia is playing a key role as Northrop Grumman tools up for work on the Joint Strike Fighter. Keeping it together: design, development, and maintenance It is only in relatively recent years that the full meaning of integrating manufacturing and maintenance as part of the design and development processes has been grasped by the aerospace industry. Exploring the boundaries of our solar system SAE 100 Future look: In addition to helping enable NASA's new vision of taking humans back to the moon and paving the way to Mars and beyond, two robotics space science missions are preparing to explore the outermost and innermost edges of our solar system. What's on the horizon for space SAE 100 Future look: Dramatic changes in the Earth's climate are certain to drive humanity's search for alternative fuel sources.

Designs on Geneva Design chic, design blending, and design promise were all present in the halls of the Geneva Palexpo exhibition center for the city's International Motor Show, which this year cleebrated the centenary of its beginning. Big 3 in fight for home-market supremacy No other nation sells or produces more vehicles than the United States. Automotive Engineering International kicks off its annual Global Viewpoints three-month series of region-specific articles by examining what technologies U.S.-based OEMs and suppliers are pursuing to be a winner in the market no one can ignore. Sunny forecast for IC engine Don't expect to see the internal-combustion engine evaporate as a viable power source anytime soon, industry experts say. Sharing the wealth A versatile vehicle architecture can deliver multiple variants from a single platform, reducing development costs and time-to-market.

Hydrogen possibilities Using hydrogen in an internal-combustion engine application requires not only a custom-engineered combustion concept, but also optimized operation strategies. Nets catch on Engineers have been slow to adopt networks, but that is changing quickly as electronically controlled engines take hold. Hydraulic matters There is much potential for gain for everyone if OEMs and suppliers work together early in terms of hydraulic system design. Asia hot on new cooling technology Not tied as much to aluminum as is the West, china and Russia are moving fast toward widespread use of copper and brass for radiators. Build, test, teview, and improve SAE 100 Future Look; Frank Perna, Chairman and CEo of MSC. Software writes about his experience in vehicle engineering, testing, and management positions.

STOVL propulsion-onward and upward Rolls-Royce's unique Pegasus engine has made possible a generation of vertical-landing military aircraft. Testing solutions This special section highlights some of the latest equipment used by engineers to validate new technologies.

Throwing their weight around Vehicle mass took a back seat to aesthetics, functionality, and performance when automaker executives discussed the merits of their new products at the North American International Auto Show. Safety drives sensor growth New semiconductor technologies provide more data in a wide range of systems. Wireless gains support Wi-Fi is seen as the link between consumer electronics and cars. Supply chain migration As automakers ramp up operations in China, suppliers must consider the challenges as well as the opportunities of supporting them there. Automakers focus on soft money The huge surge in software makes it a focus for cost cutting. Chevrolet Corvette: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2005. The sixth-generation car delivers even more performance value than its predecessor, and adds greater comfort and convenience into the mix.

Engine electronics come of age Changes in global standards, combined with engineering know-how, have resulted in a new generation of clean, quiet, and efficient engines. Operators are rolling in the chips Microprocessors and sensors are being combined to monitor the way that equipment is being used, then help operators to perform better in that environment. Gaining weight Perkins' influence in the off-highway industry grows as it evolves its global engine lines and expands its presence in the U.S. What's new at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Part 2 of 2 A preview of some of the products and technologies that will be displayed at this year's event, scheduled March 15-19 in Las Vegas, NV. Engineering a career Off-highway companies are challenged not only by the ever-changing technology landscape, but also by finding the engineering talent to help them succeed in it.

Production preview from Detroit Attendees of the 2005 North American International Auto Show in the "Motor City" this January were treated to nearly 70 vehicle introductions, 24 of which were worldwide production cars and trucks. AEI editors present the technical highlights of some of the more significant 2005 and 2006 production vehicles. Significantly this year, the cars we've highlighted outnumber trucks by more than two to one. DSPs start progressing Math processors will help to provide more functionality in the cabin and improve motion contorl throughout the vehicle. Sliding doors the Toyota way Door openings are about more than hinges and pillars, according to the Japanese automaker. Accelerating technology Hybrid technology is gaining in popularity, broadening its scope to embrace performance, and driving industry collaborations.

Collaboration off shelf Major software suppliers are using their experiences supporting aerospace customers to develop solutions that make suppliers more efficient. The future of wire health While recent technological advances can provide increased safety through faster suppression of shorts and arcing type conditions, it can also add significantly to ongoing maintenance costs. Tomorrow's reality in defense electronics SAE 100 Future look: From space-based satellite communications systems to rifles equipped with laser and thermal imaging sights, electronics has intergrated itself as a core ingredient of contemporary war-fare.

Flying safer Software is being designed to predict pending failures, warn pilots, and maybe even fly the plane. CMM + laser probe = complete inspection Sonaca gave up its manual inspection methods in favor of a digital approach to save time- and money. A rounded view of fibers The use of fibers for aerospace gyroscope applications- notably inertial navigation and platform stabilization- is common now, but it was not always so. Piston engine propulsion SAE 100 Future look: As the propulsion industry looks to the future, the barriers remain challenging, the drivers more critical, but the innovations more promising. What's downstream in turbine technology SAE 100 Future look: Gas turbine machines-aviations, industrial, and vehicular- are versatile and cost-effective machines used for the provision of electricity, mechanical load power, and propulsion.

Undercarriage undergoes overhaul Caterpillar believes that a total revamp of its track-type tractors should trim operating costs by 30 to 70%. Machine control Off-highway equipment is being dragged along the technology curve toward autonomy. The diesel solution SAE 100 Future Look: The future of commercial vehicles is a subject that Navistar International focuses on every day. Emissions regulations uphold 'technological excellence' The automotive and transportation industries are some of the most regulated due to the strict emissions requirements in the development of diesel engines, which affect the future of all powertrains. Tomorrow's powertrain technology: 100 years in the making SAE 100 Future Look: The SAE's 100th anniversary has all of the engineering community reflecting on past accomplishments, as well as focusing on what will happen in the future.