More electronics, increasingly complex software: Modern cars are embedded systems on wheels. While communication between ECUs (Electronic control units) and other on-board systems has become more or less standardized with bus systems like CAN, LIN and sometimes already MOST and Flexray , there are still many proprietary communication solutions in the powertrain area.
Freescale’s Microcontroller MPC5668G acts as a gateway that interconnects many different electronic control units that help control various automotive body and driver convenience features. Instead of traditional multi-chip solutions that have performance limitations and pose electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) constraints, this control technology is implemented using just a single integrated circuit. In addition to precise electronics control, the Freescale MCU also takes the information from the ECUs and provides a central point for communication with the external world. This integration on a single chip potentially enhances the speed of diagnostics and reprogramming of other modules found throughout the vehicle.
(MPC5668G for BMW sedan cars, credits: Freescale)
This 32-Bit Power Architecture CPU has been jointly developed with the BMW Group in over a year - through each design phase from initial concept to the first prototype car - to help provide solutions to the challenges posed by the exponential increase in network traffic between electronic subsystems. According to Freescale, the 12-month schedule was challenging; however, both parties were closely aligned and the semiconductor manufacturer was able to deliver silicon on time in the end. BMW successfully tested it in a prototype car two weeks later This jointly-created solution is expected to be deployed in the next BMW 1- and 3-Series and on the new X3 platform.
(BMW 1 series, credits: BMW group)
(BMW 3 series, credits: BMW group)
(BMW X3, credits: BMW group)
“We are extremely proud of this cooperation with the BMW Group as the trend toward more centralized data fusion within vehicles continues to require higher-speed processing capabilities,” said Henri Richard, senior vice president of Freescale’s global sales and marketing.
(Henri Richard, credits: Freescale semiconductors)
“Electronics are expected to represent 35 percent of the average cost of a vehicle this year. Freescale technology ultimately will help drive more sophisticated but still highly reliable in-vehicle networking capabilities to handle the increasing electronic content in these intelligent automobiles.”
This 32-Bit Power Architecture CPU has been jointly developed with the BMW Group in over a year - through each design phase from initial concept to the first prototype car - to help provide solutions to the challenges posed by the exponential increase in network traffic between electronic subsystems. According to Freescale, the 12-month schedule was challenging; however, both parties were closely aligned and the semiconductor manufacturer was able to deliver silicon on time in the end. BMW successfully tested it in a prototype car two weeks later This jointly-created solution is expected to be deployed in the next BMW 1- and 3-Series and on the new X3 platform.
“We are extremely proud of this cooperation with the BMW Group as the trend toward more centralized data fusion within vehicles continues to require higher-speed processing capabilities,” said Henri Richard, senior vice president of Freescale’s global sales and marketing.
“Electronics are expected to represent 35 percent of the average cost of a vehicle this year. Freescale technology ultimately will help drive more sophisticated but still highly reliable in-vehicle networking capabilities to handle the increasing electronic content in these intelligent automobiles.”
The power of electronics really makes our lives convenient. The age of automation is now and will still last long.
Posted by: Projector Headlights | 11/03/2011 at 06:33 AM