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The increasing use of distributed functions in vehicles can introduce unexpected and undesirable emergent behavior. This can be as a result of transient events such as sudden drops in the supply voltage. In this situation system behavior is often not adequately specified or controlled. This paper presents a novel approach to automotive electronic systems testing addressing robustness against low voltage transient conditions. The paper will discuss the technical output as well as performance in real-world test usage. The proposed approach uses a combination of pseudo-random number generator algorithms to generate parameterized supply voltage waveforms simulating low voltage transient conditions, used to drive the system-under-test (SUT).

Plastic materials have made significant progress in small engine components. Most of these applications have been in external parts like fan shrouds and fuel tanks. Meeting new emissions requirements, along with reducing noise and more compact engine styling will require plastic materials which perform at higher temperatures than those typically used to date, as well as materials which can replace mechanical parts now produced in metal. This paper presents mechanical performance data at temperatures up to 200°C for several engineering phenolic compounds. Also reviewed are fluid resistance, fatigue endurance, and examples of phenolics in production components in small engines.