NXP Unveils Open S32 CoreRide Platform Tailored for Software-Defined Vehicles
The freshly launched Open S32 CoreRide Platform from NXP is a unified and adaptable framework aimed at overcoming the prevailing challenges in software-defined vehicle development. Alongside the introduction of an advanced, highly integrated automotive processor, NXP is providing developers with a comprehensive solution for constructing SDVs across diverse vehicular structures.
The Open S32 CoreRide Platform offers designers an integrated and versatile platform to speed up development times and improve functionality for SDVs.
To gain deeper insights into the Open S32 CoreRide platform, we engaged in a conversation with Ray Cornyn, NXP's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Control and Networking Solutions, along with Brian Carlson, the company's Global Marketing Director. They shared their perspectives on what distinguishes the CoreRide platform within the current automotive sector and how NXP's latest offerings are set to advantage designers of software-defined vehicles.
The CoreRide Platform Streamlines Hardware and Software Integration for SDVs
One of the primary complications in developing SDVs is the disjointed nature of the development process in contemporary vehicles. The multitude of disparate electronic control units (ECUs) found in today's vehicles hampers both flexibility and scalability, creating a complex landscape for software design in vehicles.
The CoreRide platform by NXP is engineered to provide consistent high performance across various vehicular architectures. Through close collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, and software partners, NXP has crafted the CoreRide platform to facilitate a smoother path for designers to bring SDVs to market. This enables them to concentrate on innovation and unique value creation without being bogged down by underlying system complexities.
The CoreRide platform is built to make porting functionality to different zones/domains easy by unifying the development environment across the vehicle.
Cornyn acknowledges the diverse nature of vehicle architectures in the modern era, emphasizing the need for adaptable solutions. "Our product range and solutions are designed to encompass the entire spectrum of contemporary vehicle architectures," he stated. The CoreRide platform, as a result, delivers the necessary hardware and software conducive for streamlined development spanning all these different structures and software foundations.
The S32N Brings Forth High-Level Centralized Processing Capabilities
In concurrence with the introduction of CoreRide, NXP has also unveiled the S32N series of processors, distinguished by their "super-integration." Addressing the versatility required by SDV solutions to adapt to any vehicle architecture, including those reliant on a central ECU for all computation, the S32N series is crafted to excel in such environments.
Details on the S32N series remain sparse as NXP has yet to share comprehensive information. However, the company has affirmed that the processor line is capable of managing mixed criticality functions within a single platform while ensuring substantial isolation in compliance with automotive safety protocols. Moreover, the S32N processors incorporate hardware security enhancements, native support for Ethernet and CAN interfaces, potential for AI/ML acceleration, and compatibility with PCIe.
The S32N central processor offers enough performance to remove the need for multiple ECUs and adopt a fully centralized architecture for SDVs.
The S32N alongside the CoreRide platform revolutionizes the transferability of software, permitting developers to shift applications from one ECU to another with remarkable ease, akin to the simplicity of the cut-and-paste function. Cornyn emphasizes that the key concept underpinning this innovation is flexibility.
"The CoreRide platform is specifically crafted so that applications designated for different zones can be effortlessly translocated to a central computing unit. This introduces a significant level of additional adaptability into the system's architecture," he explains.
Centralized Computing and Collaborative Support by NXP
Although it may be premature to assess the S32N and the CoreRide platform in terms of quantitative performance enhancements, the shift towards an open, cooperative ecosystem stands to be advantageous for a multitude of automotive developers.
Carlson observes a considerable shift occurring within the realm of centralized computing, including the consolidation of data intelligence, analysis of vehicular data, and machine learning. "The S32N lineup is well equipped to cater to these emerging central compute applications," he notes, addressing the evolving needs of the automotive industry.
