An article in Oct / Nov 06’s Automotive Electronics magazine describes the role that programmable logic devices can play in providing a platform for different automotive designs.

The article notes that car manufacturers have for decades used the approach of having a common chassis for different vehicle types in their product lines - with vehicle types differing in bodywork, engine, trim etc.

By using a common platform with variable elements manufacturers have realised significant benefits in terms of reutrn-on-investment and time-to-market.

The article notes that automotive electronics (and software) developers have begun to use this approach to gain the same benefits and to enable systems that differ for each model, price-point or geographic area to be developed efficiently.

This platform, or ‘programmable product approach’, cut development time on Blaupunkt’s Trevelpilot Rome automotive navigation systems by six months according to the article, and is finding applications in other automotive applications such as infotainment and communications.

A similar approach should be possible in other sectors, and the article notes consumer electronics, home automation networks and computer peripherals as candidates.

The article also notes some other benefits of the platform approach:

1. Allows more product differentiation with potentially better margins.
2. Can reduce risk of product obsolescence.
3. Platforms look better engineered and so may positively infleunce your client’s perception of you.

Regular readers will recognise the similarities of this approach to a Software Product Line approach.