Electronics – the hidden sector

Dr Kathryn WalshDirector, Electronics-enabled Products

KTN

Here to celebrate!

The projectsThe Innovative electronics Manufacturing Research

CentreThe Industry!

Why hidden?

“Electronics is a cornerstone of modern society pervading most products and services. However, the UK Electronics Industry is difficult to define. It tends to be fragmented into silo-like sub-sectors, lacks strong visibility, and hence fails to influence policy that reflects its importance to the economy.”

Electronics :2015 Making a visible difference. DTI Electronics Innovation and Growth Team report.

Falling into the same trap?…

Analysis chiefly SIC code based…“The automotive and aerospace and defence markets

were not included in the consultation exercise as they have recently been involved in separate IGT reports.”

Electronics 2015: Making a visible difference. DTI Electronics Innovation and Growth Team report.

Electronics in Automotive sector

Value of electronics - Automotive Electronics content 25% and rising…..

Automotive Innovation and Growth Team comments on electronics:

“Manufacturers still face the competitive demands of volume and variety and have sought to differentiate products through technology and branding as a means of protecting margin. 'Added features' particularly electronic devices (GPS, in-car entertainment etc.) have increased. In addition, new electronic innovations have been introduced to manage vehicle sub systems such as the engine and wider applications include broader 'telematics' and vehicle communications.”

Increased vehicle features and electronics, a “Major Challenge” from supply chain view

Rules on waste electrical and electronic equipment will have a strong , indirect impact on automotive electronics

Hybrid vehicles have many technological elements in common with fuel cell vehicles – e.g. drive trains and electronic control systems –

No mention of electronics in latest implementation plan update of 2004

Automotive electronics patentsAutomotive electronics

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Electronics in aerospace

Integration of electronics into defence hardwareSecurity systemsReplacement of hydraulics Engine controlCollision avoidance systems Fly by wire – plus sensory feedbackUnmanned autonomous vehiclesEntertainment systems

Aerospace IGT – National Aerospace Technology StrategyAerospace Technology Validation programmes• Air Traffic Management • Autonomous Systems • Environmentally Friendly Engine • INFOAir• Integrated Wing • More Electric Aircraft• + Innovation Networks http://www.aeigt.co.uk

Aerospace Electronics PatentsAerospace electronics

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Medical Electronics PatentsMedical Electronics

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Electronics as enabler….

Key to exploitation of many emerging technologiesCore platform for integration of multiple technologies Closely integrated with functionality

Electronics-enabled products…

DTI Knowledge Transfer Networks

National, thematic - Influence national strategy Signpost across institutions/schemes

http://ktn.globalwatchonline.com

“Knowledge Transfer Networks have been established by the DTI to improve the UK’s innovation performance by increasing the breadth and depth of the knowledge transfer of technology into UK-based businesses and by accelerating the rate at which this process occurs. The Networks will contribute to the development of the national Technology Strategy helping to shape the distribution of future public funding for research and development.”

DTI Knowledge Transfer Networks

Aerospace and DefenceBioProcess UKBioscience for BusinessChemistry InnovationElectronics-enabled ProductsFood ProcessingLow Carbon & TechnologiesGrid ComputingIndustrial Mathematics

Integrated Pollution ManagementLocation and Timing MaterialsHealth TechnologiesPhotonicsResource EfficiencySensorsUK Displays and Lighting

Electronics-enabled products KTN

The ChallengeMany companies seeking to differentiate their products are

increasingly moving to offer products with additional functionality. Such smarter or intelligent products often require the integration of a range of technologies typically underpinned by electronics and more often than not where factors such as geometric constraints, the operating environment and cost of production all pose challenges. The solutions to these issues often cross many different industrial sectors, requiring a range of expertise not available within a single organisation.

Electronics-enabled Products KTNWho we are and what we doEvolved from the PRIME Faraday Partnership

Established 1998Facilitated over 80 projects, of value >£50M from variety of funding sourcesProjects involving >300 companies and >20 Universities

Core partners: Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, Pera International, Fraunhofer TEG

Network activities: strategy and implementation

Sectoral Analysis /strategy formation

Research and knowledge

portfolio

Road-mapping

TechnologyWatch

Capability mapping/

gap analysis

Stimulation measures

Consortium building

Automotive Industrial and consumer Aerospace Focus Systems integration in

automotive electronics Complex products or process machinery with capability to interact with environment

More electric aircraft

Drivers Legislation (End of Life Vehicle Directive) Safety and security Environmental sustainability

High product variety Integrated devices eg healthcare Legislation (WEEE& RoHS)

Increasing energy efficiency Reduction of hydraulic and pneumatic systems Increased reliability

Component technologies and tools

Flexible circuits (reduced weight, increased reliability) Polymer technologies Crime prevention (biometrics) Modular radar (collision avoidance) Telematic enabled systems Electric systems supersede hydraulics Drive by wire

RFID Integration of web-enabling devices Embedded intelligence (hardware/software partitioning) MEMS/Microsystems Polymer technologies Novel actuators and micromachines Small mobile power sources Physics based modelling tools Novel device packaging

High power electronics Electric powered actuation

Systems and Integration issues

Electronics functionality integration Telematics (crime prevention, vehicle maintenance, toll collection, congestion avoidance) Electronic control systems for hybrid or alternatively powered vehicles End of life

Reliability and reliability prediction Safety critical applications Product realisation (including MEMS/Microsystems packaging and interfacing)Intelligence in process machinery Multiple technology integration

Reliability and reliability prediction Electrical systems architecture Manufacturing of mixed technologies

Supply chain issues

Increased value in electronics systems means increased IP within supply chain Roadmapping and technology scanning

Multiple skills required for product development Globalisation of mass production vs maintenance of local expertise Predominance of smaller companies Innovation emerging at convergence of sectors Increased demand for systems integration skills Roadmapping and technology scanning

Support of legacy systems Increased demand for systems integration skills Roadmapping and technology scanning

Current “Scope”

Online facilities • Technology Watch Reviews• Events listings• Receive or post job vacancies• Notification of funding or collaboration opportunities, some unique to the KTN• Access to a network of expertise.• The opportunity to attend on-line workshops and seminars on a wide range of issues• The ability to influence the future direction of the KTN including suggesting topics for technology &

market reviews, on-line seminars, and future discussion groups• Roadmapping activities• Access to the wider network of DTI Knowledge Transfer Networks• Access to a suite of powerful on-line collaboration tools • RSS feed availableRegister now on www.electronicproductsktn.org.uk

1000 members and rising fast….

Get involved - Roadmapping workshopThe next Technology Roadmapping Workshop is being held on:Friday 6th October 2006 9:00 to 13:00 at Pera, Melton MowbrayFollow up on-line meeting to discuss resultsFriday 20th October 2006 10:00 to 12:00 Outputs will: • Refresh “scope” document (and associated capability map) • Provide input into future technology strategy• Guide the technical areas supported by EPSRC Industrial CASE studentship

allocation.• Help define Technology Watch reports• Define call areas for SPARK awards.• Identify seeds of collaboration for future Technology Programme bids…

Innovate 2006 and DTI Technology ProgrammeInnovate 2006QEII conference centre, London2 November 2006• Meet all the KTNs• Launch of the Autumn DTI Technology

Programme Callhttp://www.innovate2006.co.uk/