Connecting Automotive Infotainment Systems

By Kerrick Klancnik | May 06, 2025

Modern automotive infotainment systems are designed to make driving safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable for drivers and passengers. Automation, AI, IoT and driverless vehicles are playing significant roles in the development of advanced automotive infotainment systems. Compact, high-speed connectivity solutions that not only have high bandwidth and low latency, but also simplify assembly and lower costs, are required to support emerging infotainment system capabilities.

Modern automotive infotainment systems are designed to make driving safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable for drivers and passengers. Automation, AI, IoT and driverless vehicles are playing significant roles in the development of advanced automotive infotainment systems. These technologies create a more integrated and personalized driving experience by automating functions previously controlled manually. Compact, high-speed connectivity solutions that not only have high bandwidth and low latency, but also simplify assembly and lower costs, are required to support emerging infotainment system capabilities.

Market Trends

According to Grand View Research, the global automotive infotainment market was valued at USD 7.42 billion in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 9.7% from 2023 to 2030. Much of this growth is from automotive manufacturers focusing on advanced technologies such as driver assistance, augmented reality, and real-time data collection. Incorporating IoT technologies into automotive infotainment systems offers end-to-end connectivity of vehicles. In addition, as 5G networks expand, implementation into automotive infotainment systems is inevitable. 5G networks will increase the speed of the real-time data collection and accuracy of communication units.

Applications

Based on product type, the automotive infotainment market can be segmented into audio units, display units, heads-up displays, navigation units, and communication units. Here are some of the functions that have been added to automotive infotainment systems:

Automotive display connectivity examples

Integration with smartphones
Voice recognition
Rear-seat entertainment
Advanced navigation
Wireless charging
Driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Digital monitoring systems (DMS)

Challenges

Modern vehicles rely heavily on sensors, cameras, and other technologies to navigate and interact with the environment, and the infotainment system must be integrated with these systems to provide a seamless driving experience. More functionality means more components and less board space. Connector solutions are required to combine miniaturization with ease of assembly/installation, all while supporting high-speed or high-power performance. To ensure high-speed connectivity, connectors should be EMI-shielded.

Automotive cameras connectivity examples

Automotive systems operate in harsh environments that include high vibration, extreme-temperatures and more. Connectors must be able to handle the environmental conditions found in automotive applications.

Connector Types

Automotive infotainment systems require a variety of connector components to connect various devices and components within the system. Here are some of the most common connector types used in automotive infotainment systems and their benefits and drawbacks:

Wire-to-board connectors are used to connect wires to a printed circuit board (PCB) within an automotive infotainment system. These connectors are widely used because they are easy to install and can provide a secure and reliable connection. Many manufacturers require connector position assurance (CPA), which means a secondary lock or test pin must be added to assure reliable connection during assembly.

Benefits: Location of PCB and components is flexible

Drawbacks: Higher cost due to wire harness

Board-to-board connectors are used to connect two printed circuit boards within an automotive infotainment system. These connectors often feature high density signals, power pins for high current, and high data rate capability.

Benefits: Consolidate connections to a single connector, low cost due to lack of wire harness

Drawbacks: PCBs must be close to each other

Waterproof interface connectors are used in automotive infotainment systems for applications that require a waterproof and dustproof connection. These connectors are available in various sizes and pin counts.

Benefits: Waterproof and dustproof, high mating cycle, can be roughly handled

Drawbacks: Higher cost due to material and construction

FFC/FPC connectors are used to connect flat flexible cables (FFC) or flexible printed circuits (FPC) within an automotive infotainment system. These connectors are commonly used in applications where space is limited, such as within a dashboard display. FFC/FPC connectors are available in various sizes and can provide a secure and reliable connection.

Benefits: Small size, lowest cost

Drawbacks: Not meant for rough handling, can be less durable than wire to board

Automotive Infotainment Connector Solutions

Floating Contact System

Previously, wire-to-board connectors were primarily used in automotive infotainment applications. However, wire-to-board connectors take up more real estate and can often be more taxing during the integration and assembly process. New board-to-board connectors that feature a floating contact system simplify assembly and reduce labor costs, all while offering space savings.

These floating board-to-board connectors, like the KP27F series, combine high data rate capabilities, EMI shielding, and a small footprint with a 0.5 mm pitch. Offering high temperature resistance up to 125 °C, new connector designs with a floating contact design provide superior vibration resistance for more reliable operation.

Figure 3 Caption: Hirose KP27F Series floating board-to-board connector is commonly used in automotive ADAS devices like cameras, radar, and sensor systems

Hirose KP27F Series floating board-to-board connector is commonly used in automotive ADAS devices like cameras, radar, and sensor systems

Floating contacts allow the connector to absorb various amounts of alignment errors or vibration. KP27F exhibits a floating range of ± 0.8 mm in both the X- and Y-axis direction, as well as ± 0.30 mm tolerance between boards in the Z direction. This floating feature prevents misalignment during board installation and mounting. Because the spring portion of the terminal absorbs assembly errors, it reduces the need for corrective re-work operations. The floating contact system is ideal for densely populated infotainment controller systems that require multiple connectors to be used on the same board.

The floating design offers a degree of “play” between the contacts during mating and allows the connector to absorb alignment errors and simplify assembly

In addition, the floating contact system increases reliability by reducing the stress on solder joints caused by misaligned connectors. The floating design also enhances durability by preventing solder cracking.

Zero Insertion Force

Infotainment designers choose FPC/FFC connectors primarily to reduce cost and save PCB space. Zero insertion force (ZIF) locks are an improvement from conventional low insertion force (LIF) connectors because they are easier to mate and provide a stronger connection. New one action locking connectors come with the latch closed, and mating operation is completed without the need to open the latch.

For example, the One Action FH63S Series offers a great option for ease of mating in space constrained infotainment display designs. Tight spaces provide no access to reach into the actuator and complete the mating procedure using flip lock ZIF connectors. The One Action lock will allow mating in these tight spaces because the latch does not need to be opened.

Within instrument cluster and infotainment systems, the FH63S supports specific demands like high temperatures, vibration requirements and tight space requirements.

One Action connectors are also more efficient. On average, for a typical front flip style lock connector, the mating time is about three seconds. The typical back flip style lock connector improves the average mating time to about 2 seconds. The One Action connector greatly simplifies the mating process and reduces the average mating time to one second or less. For high volume production by trained operators, this simplified process saves both time and money.

Finally, the contactless mating process of the One Action connector lends itself to the possibility of robotic assembly. The robot can grab the flex and insert it into the One Action connector without the need for human hands.

Automotive infotainment systems are becoming more advanced and feature-rich, with a wide range of new functions being added to provide a more connected and personalized driving experience. Automotive infotainment systems require a variety of connectors to meet application requirements within the system. Engineers must choose the right connector type for each application based on factors such as data transmission speed, voltage and current requirements, space limitations, and environmental conditions. Ease of design and assembly are also vital factors. Going forward, all connector types will need to become smaller, more durable, and easier to assemble to meet the demands of more complex vehicles.

Hirose automotive interconnects are also available from Heilind Electronics.