Car manufacturers use embedded modules to provide cellular wireless connectivity in vehicles, enabling telematics features and services such as eCall (emergency call), navigation, electric vehicle management, stolen vehicle tracking, and in-vehicle communications and entertainment.
Sierra Wireless is a supplier of embedded wireless modules to the global automotive industry, with a client roster including BMW, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Volvo, Mercedes, Ford, and Fiat. Since 1998, Sierra Wireless has delivered a total of more than two million automotive-grade embedded modules to automotive equipment manufacturers and OEMs worldwide.
Commenting on the achievement, Edy Jianto, general manager at Flextronics Suzhou, said: “We are very pleased to announce this milestone delivery from the Suzhou factory to Sierra Wireless. With more than seven years’ experience in TS 16949 compliant manufacturing, we are proud to deliver the best in class electronics manufacturing services that help Sierra Wireless maintain their leadership position in the automotive market.”
Dan Schieler, senior vice president for worldwide sales at Sierra Wireless, said: “The one millionth automotive module coming out of the Suzhou factory marks an important milestone in our collaboration with Flextronics, and also for the new, integrated Sierra Wireless. With last year’s acquisition of Wavecom, Sierra Wireless now combines more than a decade of automotive know-how with additional specialist expertise, including 3G and 4G technologies, antenna design and network certification. The synergies from the integration will continue to benefit our automotive customers, as we develop new, dedicated solutions for the automotive industry.”
The automotive industry has some of the most stringent quality and performance requirements in the world, and requires suppliers that can support lengthy design and product life cycles. Wireless embedded modules used in automotive systems must withstand extreme temperatures and thermal shocks, vibration and mechanical shocks, dust and humidity, and they must function in this hostile environment for many years.
Automotive requirements were among the driving factors in the development of the Sierra Wireless Embedded SIM, a robust component SIM solution that received the Trophy for Innovation at Peugeot Citroën’s prestigious Supplier Awards in 2008.