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Two automotive processors from NXP deliver GHz speeds

Wed, Jun 22, 2022

NXP Semiconductors has launched two processor families that extend its S32 automotive platform with high-performance real-time processing.

The S32Z processors can be used for safety processing and domain and zonal control, while the S32E processors are for electric vehicle (xEV) control and smart actuation. The software-compatible S32Z and S32E processors help enable software-defined vehicles, reduce software integration complexity and enhance security and safety, said the company.

These processors feature the critical deterministic behaviour of safe MCUs, but combine gigahertz speed, multi-application isolation and memory expansion. They are suitable for the safe integration of cross domain vehicle functions for software-defined vehicles and are scalable, 16nm S32Z and S32E processor families with a roadmap to 5nm solutions.

Domain and zonal architectures enable carmakers to optimise wiring harnesses, reduce cost and weight, and implement a more scalable and cost-effective, software-centric approach for developing and updating intelligent vehicles. This transformation requires processors that offer higher performance, application isolation and memory expansion.

Robert Bosch GmbH was a key partner in the collaborative design process.

“We collaborated closely with NXP on the two new processor families,” said Axel Aue, vice president of engineering at Bosch. “The S32Z and S32E processors offer a performance increase of a factor of two compared to embedded NVM MCUs, key integration platform features and scalable memory with LPDDR4 DRAM and flash. It’s also ideal for embedded integration and allows the consolidation and isolation of vehicle functions with very high performance that previously required multiple MCUs.”

NXP’s S32Z and S32E processors offer eight Arm Cortex-R52 processor cores with split-lock support that operate at up to 1GHz to address safely integrating deterministic, high-performance real-time applications. The processors isolate independent real-time applications with “core-to-pin” hardware virtualisation and resource firewalls for freedom of interference.

The processors come with up to 64Mbyte of integrated flash memory for large, zero-downtime over-the-air (OTA) updates and support LPDDR4 DRAM and flash expansion memory with execute-in-place (XiP) mode for large applications and Autosar adaptive applications. A communications accelerator (FlexLLCE) supporting 24 CAN interfaces, along with a Gigabit Ethernet switch supporting time sensitive networking (TSN), provides vehicle data to “virtual ECUs” to improve efficiency and streamline software development, said the company.

A hardware security engine (HSE) supports secure boot, accelerated security services and key management. The S32Z and S32E processors are certified to ISO/SAE 21434 for cybersecurity and ISO 26262 for Asil D functional safety.

The S32E processors add smart actuation capabilities, specifically in the form of advanced timers and high resolution ADC and 5V analogue and I/Os, for xEV integration applications with direct-drive motor control.

The S32Z and S32E processors enable OEMs and tier ones to develop a wide range of new vehicle architectures with diverse real-time processing needs.

NXP offers system support for S32Z and S32E processors to accelerate customer designs, including the co-developed FS86 Asil D safety system basis chip (SBC) and PF5030 power management IC (PMIC) with enhanced safety features and in-vehicle networking support with Ethernet switches and PHYs and CAN transceivers, along with other analogue companion chips, such as the GD3160 IGBT/SiC high-voltage inverter gate driver and MC3377x battery cell controllers.

Silicon evaluation, software development and rapid prototyping can be accelerated using the GreenVIP vehicle integration platform software with the GreenBox 3 development platform, supported by software and tools, claimed NXP. NXP will present a technical paper on “Key Technologies for Enablement of Multi-Core, Real-Time Domain Controllers” and showcase the S32E processor in action with a “Safe Multi-ECU Integration” demonstration focused on multi-core performance and fault-tolerance at Embedded World (21-23 June) in Nuremberg, Germany, at Hall 4A-222.

http://www.nxp.com

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TDK’s thinner pattern coils are set to boost wireless charging

Wed, Jun 22, 2022

TDK Corporation has introduced a thin pattern coil to support the wireless charging of next generation mobile devices.

The WCT38466-N0E0SST101 was developed without employing conventional lithographic exposure / etching techniques. Instead, TDK’s process technology was leveraged, in combination with plating technology using the nano dispersion of the organic compound polypyrrole, developed by Achilles Corporation.

Although wireless charging coils have generally been produced by winding wires, this new approach has made it possible to manufacture them using a thick copper pattern on a thin film. Along with the application of TDK’s proprietary magnetic materials, this has enabled coil thickness reduction down to 0.76mm, which is approximately one fifth of the thickness of traditional 3.8mm diameter wound wire coils. The use of TDK’s original optimal coil shape pattern means that the new coils cover a larger charging area, enhancing user convenience, claimed the company.

The uptake of demand for wireless charging is being seen in home, office, retail and automotive environments. With their “dramatically thinner” diameters, the TDK coils, which are compliant with the Wireless Power Consortium’s Qi standard, will open new opportunities for wireless charging deployment. Previously, three coils had to be incorporated into wireless charging systems, but now only one coil will be required, enabling system miniaturisation, according to the company.

The WCT38466-N0E0SST101 has outer dimensions of 85 x 67 x 0.76mm and inductance of 10.6microH. It offers 0.139 Ohms of resistance at 100kHz.

Based in Tokyo, Japan, TDK was established in 1935 to commercialise ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK‘s comprehensive portfolio features passive components, such as ceramic, aluminium electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high frequency, and piezo and protection devices.

The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices and magnetic heads. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology markets.

Achilles Corporation is a plastics processing manufacturer established in 1947. Its business areas include Syunsoku and other brands of shoes and businesses in construction / civil engineering, manufacturing/facilities, electricity / electronics, vehicles, agriculture / livestock, medical / disaster prevention and lifestyle / leisure. The company began researching and developing the control of static electricity using polypyrrole in the 1980s and established a plating technology using the nano dispersion of polypyrrole in 2007.

The WCT38466-N0E0SST101 is currently in mass production.

http://www.tdk.com

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Bluetooth LE wireless MCUs make connectivity more affordable

Wed, Jun 22, 2022

Texas Instruments has expanded its connectivity portfolio with a family of wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) that enable Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) at half the price of competing devices, it claimed.

Pricing for the CC2340 family will start from $0.79, encouraging engineers to add Bluetooth LE connectivity to more products.

“Industrywide, five billion Bluetooth-enabled devices are forecast to ship in 2022,” said Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the standards organisation that oversees Bluetooth technology. “The commitment and involvement of Bluetooth SIG members like Texas Instruments allow Bluetooth technology to meet the growing demands for enhanced wireless connectivity in a wider range of applications.”

The CC2340R2 and CC2340R5 wireless MCUs, offering flash memory of 256kbyte and 512kbyte respectively, provide flexibility for engineers and ample space for application code. With the proliferation of Bluetooth LE applications, designers need additional memory capacity to update software remotely. The new wireless MCU family features 36kbyte of RAM with over-the-air download support.

The MCUs include standby current of less than 830nA, which is 40 per cent lower than competing devices, according to the company. The reduction in standby current helps extend battery life for up to 10 years on a coin cell battery in wireless applications, such as electronic shelf labels and tyre pressure monitoring systems, TI claimed. The CC2340 family features an operating temperature range of –40 degrees C to 125 degrees C to help ensure a stable connection across applications, from industrial sensors and medical laboratories to outdoor environments such as EV chargers or smart meters.

Engineers can expand RF performance and connection range with an output power up to +8dBm, which is claimed to be the industry’s highest among competing Bluetooth LE wireless MCUs. In addition, the CC2340 devices feature an integrated RF balun to enable a simpler design with fewer external components, leading to cost savings, the company claimed.

With the increased memory, longer battery life and wider temperature range at an affordable price, engineers can enable more connected everyday applications such as

medical devices. In glucose meters, for example, the company claimed that the CC2340 MCUs’ standby current of less than 830nA leads to an end product shelf life of 18 to 24 months and two weeks of active Bluetooth LE operation on a coin cell battery.

In building automation, smart home hubs can take advantage of the CC2340 MCUs’ wireless protocol support and output power range up to +8dBm. In personal care applications, an electric toothbrush, for example, the CC2340 wireless MCUs offer low power consumption in sleep mode, and can extend battery life, said the company.

To simplify implementation, engineers can connect with TI applications engineers through the TI E2E Bluetooth support forum. Engineers also have access to the royalty-free Bluetooth LE software stack, which TI has supported and kept updated since 2010.

Customers can request samples and a development kit (LP-EM-CC2340R5). The new wireless MCUs are expected to be in volume production in the first half of 2023.

The CC2340R2 and CC2340R5 wireless MCUs are the latest addition to the SimpleLink portfolio that provides innovative connectivity solutions to serve the industrial, automotive and personal electronics markets.

TI will demonstrate the CC2340 wireless MCUs at Embedded World (21-23 June) in Nuremberg, Germany, at Booth 3A-215.

https://www.ti.com

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Integrated listener for NFC wireless charging cuts board footprint by more than half

Wed, Jun 22, 2022

Panthronics has released early samples of what it claimed to be the industry’s first fully integrated NFC wireless charging listener device, the PTX30W.

The single chip PTX30W integrates an efficient rectifier, NFC tag, battery charger and power management as well as protocol handling. The NFC tag supports bidirectional data communication in NFC Type A mode. This enables the transfer of data between the charging cradle and the device under charge, such as the battery’s state of charge or fault indicators, as well as enabling firmware upgrades of both devices.

The PTX30W will work in tandem with an NFC poller such as the Panthronics PTX130W in a charging cradle. It harvests power wirelessly without the need for a microcontroller in the listener device.

It replaces four discrete components with a single chip and occupies less than half the board footprint, to save space in products such as medical sensors, fitness trackers, smart watches, earbuds, hearing aids, smart glasses, smart rings and styluses, said Panthronics.

The PTX30W runs an NFC forum-derived wireless charging protocol that supports power negotiation. This means that the PTX30W will simplify product development, said the company, as it can operate in standalone wireless charging mode with no need for an external microcontroller to run NFC wireless charging operations.

When paired with the Panthronics PTX130W, the NFC poller with the industry’s highest power output, the PTX30W can harvest up to 1W of power for fast charging of lithium-ion batteries, the company claimed.

Mark Dickson, chief marketing officer of Panthronics, said: “NFC wireless charging … operates via a small antenna and supports wireless communication as well as power transfer. Now with the development of the integrated PTX30W, Panthronics is offering device manufacturers a roadmap to even more space savings as well as a simpler system design for faster time-to-market.”

The PTX30W is sampling now to alpha customers. Customer samples will be generally available on the full release of the product later in 2022. Panthronics is presenting the PTX30W prototype demonstration kit at Embedded World (21-23 June) in Nuremberg, Germany, in Hall 1-139.

Founded in 2014, Panthronics is a semiconductor product company headquartered in Graz, Austria. It develops differentiated wireless solutions from the ground up for security and power applications.

http://www.panthronics.com

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Two automotive processors from NXP deliver GHz speeds

TDK’s thinner pattern coils are set to boost wireless charging

Bluetooth LE wireless MCUs make connectivity more affordable

Integrated listener for NFC wireless charging cuts board footprint by more than half

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