Connected Car News: Green Hills, NXP, Molex, Volvo, Intellias, mimik, Marelli, RT-RK & Magnachip

In connected car news are Green Hills, NXP, Molex, Volvo, Intellias, mimik, Marelli, RT-RK and Magnachip.

Green Hills Supports NXP

Green Hills Software, the worldwide leader in embedded safety and security,  announced its support for the i.MX 9 applications processors series from NXP® Semiconductors, creating an integrated platform based on Green Hills Software’s safe and secure foundational software, including safety-certified real-time operating systems (RTOS), virtualization services, and safety-qualified C/C++ development tools. The platform enables developers to efficiently create and confidently deploy safe and secure software across a wide range of applications in automotive, industrial, and IoT systems.

A critical requirement for the next wave of edge applications is higher processing and machine learning capabilities, combined with high-speed connectivity, to better analyze the environment and make intelligent decisions locally. Additionally, next-generation designs require high performing, safe and secure hardware and operating systems, developed in compliance with automotive ASIL B and industrial SIL 2 functional safety standards. Finally, advanced and intuitive development tools are needed by development teams to tame the complexity of the growing amount of software and to meet production deadlines.

“By leveraging the combination of i.MX 9 series’ safety, AI and performance features with the Green Hills INTEGRITY® RTOS’ proven separation architecture, carmakers and Tier 1s can realize multiple competitive advantages on their production vehicle programs,” said Dan Loop, Vice President and General Manager of Automotive Edge Processing at NXP. “Green Hills and NXP are leveraging years of collaboration that enabled successful customer designs based on the i.MX 6 and i.MX 8 series. Today, we’re enabling lead customers on the i.MX 93 family and we look forward to extending our combined support to future devices in the i.MX 95 family as well.”

“Our customers are accelerating their automation of industrial electronics, and it’s vital that we’re building intelligence and security, as well as energy efficiency, into each and every device,” said Jeff Steinheider, General Manager, Industrial Edge Processing at NXP. “The highly integrated i.MX 93 and i.MX 95 applications processors will help open an entirely new range of use cases utilizing our machine learning accelerators and higher performance cores along with the capabilities offered by the safe and secure RTOS software and tools from Green Hills.”

The INTEGRITY RTOS and µ-velOSity™ RTOS from Green Hills target the highest safety levels for automotive (ISO 26262) and industrial (IEC 61508) for the Application Compute domain, featuring Arm® Cortex™-A55 processor cores, and Real-Time/Safety domain, featuring Arm Cortex-M microcontroller cores, and part of the EnergyFlex heterogeneous architecture of i.MX 95 and i.MX 93 families. INTEGRITY Multivisor® virtualization can also safely and securely run Linux and Android alongside critical real-time tasks, assuring freedom-from-interference.

Both INTEGRITY and µ-velOSity are tightly integrated with the MULTI® integrated development environment (IDE) and its advanced TimeMachine® back-in-time debugger and History® system visualization for multicore heterogeneous designs. MULTI is also OS-agnostic, bringing its timesaving features to third-party RTOSes as well, such as Linux, AUTOSAR and FreeRTOS. The Green Hills optimizing compilers and run-time libraries are also ASIL and SIL-certified, and leverage over 40 years of experience creating compilers that produce the smallest code with the highest execution performance on embedded processors. Together, the Green Hills product portfolio enables software teams to reduce the time and costs to develop, optimize, and deploy software for production systems.

Molex Reports

Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, has released a new industry report that highlights opportunities and obstacles facing product design engineers as the future of connectivity continues to unfold. The report, “Predicting the Connectivity of Tomorrow: Innovations Driving the Connected World,” offers compelling insights into the transformative powers of next-generation connectivity, which is poised to unlock ground-breaking product innovations.

“From factory floors and hyperscale data centers to self-driving vehicles and smart, energy-efficient homes, connectivity innovations are shaping our technology future,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex. “Every step forward requires cross-disciplinary engineering, world-class manufacturing and constant collaboration with customers to push the boundaries of high-speed, high-power connectors. We’re excited to serve as a catalyst in this global push to lead the evolution of connectivity while accelerating the evolution of life-changing solutions.”

Leading-edge connectivity is the cornerstone of new products and solutions found in every industry and application area. To help product designers and engineers prepare for what lies ahead, Molex subject matter experts took a closer look at innovations on the rise, including:

• Next-generation, contactless connectivity
• Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications
• Connected, energy-independent homes
• Centralized, hyperscale hubs of connectivity

Timely observations shed light on the trajectory of these important innovations, as well as their ever-increasing impact on automobiles, consumer devices, factories, medical wearables, smartphones, smart homes, data centers and more. Additionally, Molex experts offer perspectives on the critical role that connectivity plays in driving the creation of new business models, such as Transportation-as-a-Service, which challenges conventional vehicle ownership.

Contactless connectors use miniaturized radio frequency (RF) transceivers and receivers to enable devices to communicate and exchange data without requiring physical contact between them. They also support much higher data rates than previously possible with existing wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Distinct reliability and durability advantages over physical, metal-to-metal contacts make contactless connectors ideal for video displays, harsh environments, sleek and light consumer electronics, as well as industrial robotics. The pace of development in this area is gaining momentum as companies realize opportunities for streamlined product designs, reduced costs and seamless device pairing.

Ongoing developments in antennas, sensors and connectors are among the most relevant enablers of evolving vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities. Backed by a decade-long roadmap of 5G V2X projects and established industry leadership in shark-fin antenna development, Molex has set a steady pace of innovation in support of self-driving vehicles. Close collaboration with automakers and suppliers is essential to defining optimal antenna placement and performance. Additionally, advancements in non-conductive materials will allow future connected vehicles to incorporate seamless designs without sacrificing connectivity to satellites, Wi-Fi networks and other systems.

Tomorrow’s connected homes will combine Internet of Things (IoT) functionality with battery storage systems to ensure greater control and visibility over energy production and usage. Innovations in energy management, such as mini-inverters for solar panels and smart battery management systems, will improve energy-usage efficiency and control. These storage systems are expected to play a crucial role in the intelligent monitoring and routing of power where it’s needed most. Molex’s continued focus in this area led to the development of the Volfinity Cell Contacting System, which was selected by BMW last Spring for its next-gen electric vehicle (EV) class.

Hyperscale data centers built on 224G system architectures will enable Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help consumers optimize energy consumption while empowering businesses to keep pace with relentless requirements for real-time data processing. The rapid adoption of generative AI is forcing hyperscale data centers to evolve, prompting Molex to pioneer 224 Gbps-PAM4 architecture. Molex’s first-to-market 224G product portfolio offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, along with superior signal integrity and robust mechanical composition.

Prime Video for Volvo Cars through Google

Whether recharging, waiting to pick up your loved one, or cherishing a quiet moment away from the in-laws – your Volvo car is now better equipped to keep you entertained by introducing Prime Video to Google Play for download in all markets where Google apps and services are available.

Volvo Cars is among the first carmakers to offer Prime Video in its cars.

YouTube is also coming soon to Volvo cars with Google built-in.

The service will become available as a pre-installed app starting from September 18th with a gradual rollout via over-the-air update (OTA), market by market.

“Adding access to services such as Prime Video and YouTube in our cars bolsters the continuously growing list of software and applications to make lives for our drivers better,” says Erik Severinson, our global head of new car programmes. “We are delivering on our promise of building cars that grow with our customers over time.”

With safety at the core of our business, access to video streaming will only be available when the car is at a fully stationary.

Intellias CEEP

Intellias, a leading technology partner to automotive OEMs and suppliers, has become a Vector Certified Embedded Engineering Partner (CEEP).

To achieve certification, Intellias engineers successfully completed Vector’s Certified Embedded Professional (CEP) program, which focuses on AUTOSAR Classic, the embedded software standard. The new partnership between Vector and Intellias paves the way for both companies to scale technological capabilities and explore new business opportunities.

“The successful completion of our Certified Embedded Professional (CEP) program by Intellias engineers highlights their dedication to driving excellence in AUTOSAR Classic projects and internally fostering the transfer and sharing of knowledge,” said Florian Sommer, business development manager at Vector. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to the continuous growth of expertise in the industry.”

As a Vector CEEP, Intellias is positioned to provide reliable, high-quality service for Vector’s AUTOSAR Classic Basic Software MICROSAR, covering introduction, development and integration support. As an associate partner and active member of the AUTOSAR community, Intellias also can maximize its Vector partnership by investing in research and development projects aimed at delivering cutting-edge automotive embedded solutions.

“As an AUTOSAR associate partner, we are thrilled to forge this new partnership with Vector, a pioneering force in automotive electronics development,” said Adam Konopa, technology director at Intellias. “Together we will drive innovation and harness our collective expertise to shape the future of mobility solutions. We look forward to the exciting possibilities and the remarkable advancements that we will achieve together.”

Vector certification provides additional benefits for Intellias and its clients in the automotive and mobility sectors. Applying deeper expertise gained through Certified Embedded Professional training, Intellias engineers will process embedded software projects much faster and more efficiently, fostering stronger connections with Vector experts and gaining access to the latest information on technology advancements. Customers from the automotive, commercial vehicle, aeronautical, transport and control engineering domains worldwide rely on solutions and products of independent Vector groups.

Within the scope of the Vector CEP program, engineers pass through comprehensive training to become experts in Vector’s advanced software and related development tools. The Vector CEP qualification equips them to provide skilled and efficient support for demanding AUTOSAR Classic projects. In addition, Intellias experts with CEP certification can provide qualified training to other colleagues in order to enhance knowledge in embedded software development.

“Vector education programs elevate embedded software to the next level,” said Nikolay Cheliuk, a software engineer at AUTOSAR. “As an independent company, Vector offers the most unbiased and universal solutions, focusing on relevant customer preferences for AUTOSAR products.”

Abdelrahman Mabrouk, an architect at AUTOSAR added that “Vector’s CEEP program deepens AUTOSAR basic software knowledge, enables engineers to be experts in their field and which ensures high-quality output for customers.”

mimik & Marelli

mimik technology Inc. is proud to announce the collaboration with Marelli and Marelli’s selection of mimik as preferred supplier for its software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions stack, integrating mimik’s patented Hybrid Edge Cloud (HEC) platform. This strategic decision pairs the unique expertise of both companies, signaling a transformative step forward in connected vehicle innovation and addressing the evolving needs of the automotive industry.

mimik, a leader in edge cloud technology, provides a continuous runtime environment via its HEC platform. It facilitates the development, deployment, and management of workloads across various smart devices, including automotive computing devices. By empowering each computing device within the vehicle and the surrounding intelligent ecosystem to function as a cloud server through its innovative software, mimik enhances performance, scalability, and security while reducing the software’s total cost of ownership (TCO). This also reduces the carbon footprint and enables new opportunities for connected vehicle experiences.

Marelli, a global automotive industry leader, has already made significant strides in the SDV field, thanks to focused investments and the exploration of numerous business opportunities, driven by a passion for innovation. Along with the cabin digital twin and a broad catalogue of SaaP (Service as a Product) applications, Marelli has developed a unique software platform to support OEMs to transition to SDV. This automotive-grade software solution is natively designed around containerized microservices, thus realizing the decoupling of hardware and software – a key pillar for SDV – and unlocking significant optimization opportunities for software development, testing, and validation activities.

“We are delighted to integrate mimik’s platform into our development stack,” shared Nate Sladek, VP Strategy and Product Management at Marelli’s Electronic Systems division. “This allows Marelli’s software platform to fully exploit the benefits of SDV and offer to OEMs future-proof solutions for operating systems design and hybrid edge cloud. This collaboration will allow us to construct a secure and scalable platform for connected vehicles, accelerating the adoption of SDV architectures.”

By integrating mimik’s HEC platform to realize the microservice containerization, Marelli can create software and deploy it across any hardware and operating system within vehicles, as well as extend it to neighboring intelligent devices and ecosystems. This strategic move enhances not only performance, scalability, and security but it also significantly reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the software, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and interconnected mobility ecosystem.

Sam Armani, SVP of mimik, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to see Marelli adopt our Hybrid Edge Cloud platform, a decision that solidifies their position as a trusted innovator in the automotive industry. This integration will create innovative solutions that are set to revolutionize the automotive sector. Together, we are shaping the future of software-defined vehicles and promoting the growth of intelligent, connected mobility.”

The collaboration between mimik and Marelli holds the potential to redefine the automotive industry, enabling the development of novel use cases and transforming our interaction with vehicles. It opens avenues for vehicle hyper-personalization, real-time decision-making, usage-based insurance, predictive maintenance, and more. As the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles necessitates secure and efficient software management, this strategic decision by Marelli to incorporate mimik’s technology is a vital move.

RT-RK IVI for Android Apps in Linux

Driven by the global trend in Android Automotive adoption among major OEMs, RT-RK has made substantial investments in developing cutting-edge technology to provide state-of-the-art solutions for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. In response to the OEMs’ need for scalable integration, mARTini, a cutting-edge container solution, now stands as the most advanced platform for supporting Android apps within Linux-based IVI systems.

The Android containerization approach is coming to spotlight offering numerous advantages over the commonly used hypervisor, in support of both Linux and Android. Firstly, it maintains the OEM brand identity by rendering the Android UI invisible. Its dynamic and optimized memory allocation positions it as the frontrunner in Bill of Materials (BOM) optimization. Moreover, elimination of a hypervisor license fee makes the container approach even more cost-effective.

The mARTini Android container boasts support for a wide array of demanding features, including multi-display capabilities, multi-touch functionality, seamless user inputs between Linux and Android environments, multimedia integration, and voice interactions, among others. The concept allows for a choice of performance / integration tradeoff that aligns with customer’s specific needs. Moreover, the issues of security, Android compatibility, and updates for new Android versions are all addressed as inherent to the concept.

Magnachip IGBTs for EV PTC

Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation (“Magnachip” or “Company”) (NYSE: MX) announced  the launch of its 1200V and 650V Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), designed for the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters of electric vehicles (EVs).

Built upon Magnachip’s cutting-edge Field Stop Trench technology, the newly introduced AMBQ40T120RFRTH (1200V) and AMBQ40T65PHRTH (650V) offer a minimum short-circuit withstand time of 10µs. This remarkable level of ruggedness enables PTC heaters to be protected from a permanent failure in the event of overcurrent conditions.

Furthermore, the thick and large heat sink of the TO-247 package allows these new IGBTs to excel in heat dissipation. Therefore, these IGBTs are well-suited for applications requiring high power and efficiency, such as both the upper and lower sides of power management integrated circuits of PTC heaters.

“Since early last year, Magnachip has released high-performance automotive power solutions that adhere to the stringent AEC-Q101 standards,” said YJ Kim, CEO of Magnachip. “Now that we have successfully released our first IGBT products for EVs, we will continue to expand our product lineup to meet the diverse needs of the EV market and cater to the demands of our valued customers.”

New IGBTs for EV PTC heaters