Automotive Engineering - March 2025 - 14

TECHNOLOGY REPORT
CONNECTIVITY
Power over Coaxial: a simplified path to
advanced vehicle systems
Linamar's packaging study for an unnamed H2
van showed " 55% more hydrogen storage than
they could store with cylindrical tanks. "
Nikola's head of Fuel Cell and
Hydrogen Storage, Livio Gambone, said
the company deploys similar Type IV,
700-bar tanks for the Tre FCV. He said
that spheres might be the most efficient
pressure vessel: " Space limitations
within the vehicle mandate that we utilize
the next best thing - a cylinder. "
Even with larger vehicle applications
such as trains, cylindrical vessels in a hexagonal
packing configuration would likely
still be the most efficient use of space
when storing pressurized hydrogen.
Gambone also mentioned how " non-cylindrical
(conformable) pressure vessels
have recently been accounted for in the
latest standards and regulations for hydrogen
fuel tanks " and that " even these
so-called conformable designs rely on the
basic cylindrical shape to store fuel. "
Liquid hydrogen is off to
the races
Toyota Gazoo Racing powered its entry
into the 2024 Fuji 24 Hour Race with
oval liquid hydrogen tanks, saying this
delivered over 200% range increase
compared to gaseous hydrogen. " We've
reached the point where we are now on
par with cars running on gasoline. I
think we were able to show that hydrogen
can be just as much fun as gasoline
in the field of motorsports, " said Gazoo
Racing president Tomoya Takahashi.
Thom Cannell
14 March 2025
As automotive technology advances,
modern vehicles increasingly rely on
complex electronics such as cameras,
sensors, radar and lidar. These components
are critical for advanced driverassistance
systems (ADAS) and automated
driving. With the growing complexity
of these systems, automotive
manufacturers face challenges in efficiently
transmitting both power and
data while minimizing weight and system
complexity. Power over Coaxial
(PoC) technology offers a solution by
allowing the transmission of power and
data over a single coaxial cable, significantly
simplifying vehicle design.
With the integration of more electronic
systems, especially those required
for ADAS and autonomous driving,
the demand for power and highspeed
data transmission in vehicles has
surged. Modern cars now use multiple
cameras and sensors, and as vehicle
systems continue to evolve, the number
of electronic components is expected to
increase. This shift places significant
demands on the transmission of both
data and power across the vehicle's
electrical system.
Traditionally, separate cables were
required for power and data transmission.
This approach added weight, complexity
and potential points of failure to
the vehicle's wiring harnesses. Heavier
wiring systems also increase the likelihood
of electromagnetic interference
(EMI), which could impair the performance
of essential vehicle components.
PoC technology addresses these
challenges by merging power and data
transmission into a single coaxial cable.
This innovation reduces the number of
required cables, lightens the vehicle's
overall wiring system, and simplifies its
electrical architecture. By streamlining
the wiring, PoC technology cuts down
on fuel consumption and enhances
overall vehicle efficiency and reliability.
Advantages of PoC in
automotive systems
PoC provides several key advantages
that make it highly suited for automotive
systems. First, the reduction in the
weight of wire harnesses is crucial for
manufacturers as they strive to meet
stricter fuel efficiency standards. PoC's
fewer cables and reduced weight simplify
the vehicle's electrical design and make it
easier to manufacture and maintain.
Another significant advantage is the
reduction in electromagnetic interference.
Automotive systems generate
substantial EMI, which can disrupt the
performance of critical components like
cameras and sensors. Since PoC uses
coaxial cables, which are inherently
shielded, it offers superior protection
Advanced inductors optimized for PoC filter applications are a key innovation.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
FROM TOP: THOM CANNELL; TDK
Automotive Engineering - March 2025

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