Skip to main content

The Vehicle Control Unit: Enabling Real-Time Decision Making

With vehicles moving toward higher levels of autonomy, designers are tasked with ensuring the vehicle control unit (VCU) can process vast amounts of sensor and drivetrain data in real time to make safety-critical, split-second decisions. To support these functions while maintaining exceptional reliability and reducing space requirements, Molex interconnect solutions deliver robust, compact, flexible and high-speed connections that help ensure seamless integration and dependable operation.

Designing Vehicle Control Units


To enable the integration of the VCU with an increasingly complex array of vehicle functions, electrical connections must ensure compatibility and reliability across different platforms and subsystems. Data from sensors and drive inputs must be processed in real time, requiring high speed and robust signal integrity, with connectors that provide flexibility for updates and upgrades over the vehicle’s life. Interconnects must also meet stringent safety standards and reliability requirements to ensure fail-safe operation while fitting within space-constrained vehicle architectures.

To meet these high-performance demands, robust and specialized solutions are needed. VCU electrical connectors must have a high-density, compact form factor while providing high data transmission speeds, reliable operation in harsh automotive conditions, and the versatility to communicate with different safety and drivetrain components.

Automotive VCU connectors from Molex enable designers to seamlessly integrate the VCU with an array of vehicle subsystems. High-speed data transfer rates of up to 20Gbps facilitate accurate, dependable and instantaneous operation of safety-critical applications. IP67, IP68 or IP69K sealing, together with positive locking features, ensures reliable connectivity even in high-vibration and high-temperature environments. Compact, high-density connectors with hybrid terminals and flexible configurations support miniaturization and enhanced functionality within compact spaces.


VCU I/O Connectors


To ensure consistent operation of critical vehicle functions in harsh environments, VCU I/O connectors must be reliable and durable. Molex automotive connectors are designed to meet IP67, IP68 and IP69K sealing standards and rigorous GMW3191 specifications for performance in high-vibration and high-temperature environments. Positive-locking options like terminal position assurance (TPA) and connector position assurance (CPA) deliver rugged dependability and help provide fail-safe operations in tough driving conditions.

  Terminal Size Pitch  Circuits  Current Wire Gauge Sealed
MX123 Connectors 0.64, 2.80mm 2.54mm 49 to 80 11, 25A 22 to 18 AWG X
CMC/CMX Connectors 0.64, 1.50, 2.80mm 2.54, 3.70mm 22 to 154 2.5 to 21.0A 20 to 10 AWG X
Compactus Connectors 0.50, 1.00, 2.80mm 2.40, 3.00, 5.00mm 48 to 186 Up to 15A 24 to 16 AWG X

VCU High-Speed Connectors


Enabling the VCU to make decisions in real time in support of advanced safety systems, cameras, sensors or autonomous driving systems requires high-speed data transmission and exceptional reliability in harsh conditions. Rugged Molex connectors are designed to facilitate data speeds up to 20Gbps and maintain robust signal integrity in applications subject to vibration and high temperatures, supporting consistent and instantaneous communication for safety-critical systems.

  Cable Ports Frequency Range Current Wire Gauge Sealed
High-Speed FAKRA Mini (HFM) Interconnect System Coaxial Single, dual, quad, custom Up to 20GHz 1.0A 26 AWG X

Flexible Printed Circuits

In the VCU, Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) help ensure the precise communication required for real-time decision-making. Their robust durability in harsh conditions provides the exceptional reliability required for safety-critical systems.