# Zonal Power: 48V Architectures for the Software Defined Vehicle

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2026-05-08
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/153864313/

## Summary

Elmech Dihiras, a senior technical marketing engineer at Monolithic Power Systems (MPS), explains the automotive industry's transition from legacy 12V domain architectures to 48V zonal architectures for Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs). He details how zonal controllers aggregate local I/O and use high-speed Ethernet to feed central compute platforms, enabling scalable vehicle platforms and robust OTA updates. The discussion highlights the technical advantages of 48V systems, including reduced current, lighter wiring, and lower copper costs, while addressing challenges like fault energy, EMI, and functional safety. Dihiras showcases MPS's integrated 48V e-fuses, such as the MPQ5884, as critical building blocks for enabling dynamic power distribution and rich telemetry in modern EVs and robotaxis.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=2) Introduction: Elmech Dihiras and Monolithic Power Systems
- [1:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=71) Drivers for EE Transition: Compute Growth and Feature Demand
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=195) Domain vs. Zonal Architecture: Functional vs. Geographic Grouping
- [9:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=548) Wiring Complexity and Weight Reduction in Zonal Topologies
- [13:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=808) Zonal Benefits for Premium EVs and Robotaxis
- [16:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=989) The Case for 48V Backbones: Efficiency and Safety
- [18:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1084) 48V Topologies and Power Distribution Patterns
- [19:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1194) Technical Challenges: Fault Energy, Transients, and EMI
- [22:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1365) Defining Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and Central Compute
- [25:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1558) MPS Integrated Solutions: MPQ5884 e-fuses and System Design
- [30:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1822) Reframing Design for 48V Zonal Contexts
- [31:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-05-08-zonal-power-48v-architectures-for-the-software-defined-vehicle#t=1904) Safety, Diagnostics, and Future Production Architectures

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MPS (company)
- MPQ5884 (product)
- Nissan Leaf (product)
- ISO 21780 (other)
- ISO 25769 (other)
- ISO 26262 (other)
- CISPR 25 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-07-30-the-rise-of-software-defined-vehicles) (OnTrack)
- [Seeing the Big Picture of Vehicle Electrification with Texas Instrument's Fern Yoon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-03-21-seeing-the-big-picture-of-vehicle-electrification-with-texas-instruments-fern-yo) (Moore's Lobby)
- [33: Quitting My Finnish Lessons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-01-02-33-quitting-my-finnish-lessons) (Embedded.fm)
- [Powering EVs: Microgrids & DC Charging Solutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-08-19-powering-evs-microgrids-dc-charging-solutions) (Moore's Lobby)
- [79: Not as Efficient as the Borg](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-12-04-79-not-as-efficient-as-the-borg) (Embedded.fm)

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