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The Domain Control Unit: Advanced Electronics Capabilities

Automotive design engineers face bandwidth, weight, reliability and compliance challenges that have been amplified by rapidly evolving electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving demands. To help overcome these challenges, Molex offers a comprehensive portfolio of Domain Control Unit (DCU) connector solutions that deliver seamless adaptation to new technologies, high-performance electrical connectivity and unparalleled durability.

Designing Domain Control Units

Automotive technology is changing rapidly, presenting automotive design engineers with complex challenges when designing DCUs. They must create systems that seamlessly integrate growing numbers of electronic control units (ECUs), manage high-speed data transmission, and account for factors like electromagnetic interference (EMI), space constraints and harsh environments. Meeting these demands while ensuring manufacturability, scalability, security and cost-effectiveness makes design even more complicated.

Molex answers these evolving requirements with innovative and flexible connector solutions geared to the rigorous demands of the automotive industry. Key features and benefits of Molex solutions include:

  • High-speed communication to support advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous driving capabilities, and immediate data analysis and decision making
  • Space savings and durability with miniaturized and high-density interconnects designed with robust housing designs for dependable operation in critical applications
  • Versatile and secure connectivity through a wide range of power, data and signal connectors with features like multiple actuators and auto-locking to provide dependable and long-lasting performance

Featured Products

Inside the Domain Control Unit Connectors

For the compact confines of the DCU, Molex offers high-density, space-saving designs that allow more functionality to be handled in a smaller space, enabling the DCU to serve as the cornerstone of a connected and responsive automotive electronics system. These interconnect solutions offer compact and durable designs with sidewall protection, and versatile actuator options to enable innovative DCU applications.

  Stack Height Circuits Wire-to-Board Board-to-Board
FFC/FPC Connectors   2 to 120 X  
Mirror Mezz Connectors 5.00, 8.00, 11.00mm Up to 270   X
SlimStack Connectors 0.60 to 16.00mm 6 to 240   X

Flexible Printed Circuits

With their compact and lightweight design, Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) contribute to vehicle weight reduction—improving energy efficiency and overall system performance. Their ability to withstand harsh environments helps provide the long-term reliability that is critical for automotive manufacturers.

Explore Flexible Printed Circuits

Outside the Domain Control Unit Connectors

To help design engineers ensure reliable performance in challenging conditions, Molex offers a varied suite of sealed, high-density, high-speed and hybrid interconnect solutions. These connectors support growing power and data transmission demands in electric vehicles and advanced automotive architectures while simplifying system design work and streamlining assembly for improved manufacturability.

  Terminal Size Circuits Sealed Wire-to-Board Wire-to-Wire
CMC / CMX Connectors 0.64, 1.50, 2.80mm 22 to 154 X  X  
Compactus Connectors 0.50, 1.00, 2.80mm 48 to 186 X X  
ConnTAK50 Connectors 0.50mm 2 to 22    X  
DuraClik Connectors 2.00mm 2 to 15   X  
Mini50 Connectors 0.50, 1.20mm 2 to 38 X X X
MX-DaSH Connectors 0.50, 1.20, 1.50, 2.80, 4.80mm Multiple, modular, hybrid  X X X
stAK50h Connectors 0.50, 1.20, 2.80, 6.30mm 12 to 56   X  

High-Speed Domain Control Unit Connectors

Meeting the speed and bandwidth requirements of complex electronics in today’s vehicles, such as safety systems and wireless devices, requires specialized solutions. High-speed data connectors from Molex provide up to 20 GHz data speeds in a design customized to automotive industry demands. Features include space-saving package sizes, robust termination system and shielded contacts for reliability in critical applications.

  Cable Ports Sealed Wire-to-Board Wire-to-Wire
High-Speed FAKRA Mini (HFM) Interconnect System Coaxial Single, dual, quad, custom X X X
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Webinar

Rugged and Reliable: Optimizing Vehicle Designs Through Miniaturization

How can design engineers pack more functionality into a smaller space without sacrificing functionality and reliability? In this on-demand webinar, learn how miniaturized connectors for DCUs and other automotive applications are being engineered for rugged and dependable operation to support miniaturization and optimize space both inside and outside the box.

Watch the On-Demand Webinar