Automotive

Designed to address automotive 77GHz radar applications such as corner radar systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving, the TC3A has been added to Infineon Technologies’ Aurix family.

The TC3A includes a new signal processing unit, a large SRAM dedicated to radar and four TriCore processors running at 300MHz with two additional lockstep cores.

The TC3A’s signal processing unit, the SPU 2.0, is an evolution of Infineon’s accelerator for radar processing with reduced latencies for fast fourier transform (FFT) processing, extended capability for interference mitigation and different modulation schemes to improve radar resolution at lower cost, explains Infineon.

ADAS will mean that more cars will be equipped with more radar units to perceive their surroundings.

The microcontroller joins the TC39, TC35 and TC33 Aurix devices for long-, mid- and short-range radar application. The TC3A is based on the TriCore architecture and has four cores, two lockstep ones running at 300MHz. The SPU 2.0 has extended features for real-time interference mitigation and lower resources consumption while 6Mbyte of embedded SRAM stores data during processing.

The high-speed radar (monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) interface has up to 600Mbits per second.

For security the microcontroller is hardware security module (HSM) -compliant with EVITA full specification.

Samples will be available to selected customers in 2022.

http://www.infineon.com

Following a collaboration with, StradVision, Renesas Electronics announces the joint development of a deep learning-based object recognition solution for smart cameras. StradVision’s software has been optimised to run on Renesas Electronics’ R-Car SoCs.

The deep learning-based object recognition system is for smart cameras used in next-generation advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) applications and cameras for ADAS Level 2 and above.

Next-generation ADAS implementations require high-precision object recognition capable of detecting vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. These systems must also consumer very low power for mass-market mid-tier to entry-level vehicles.

According to Naoki Yoshida, vice president of Automotive Technical Customer Engagement, at Renesas, StradVision is a leader in vision processing technology, with “abundant experience developing ADAS implementations using Renesas’ R-Car SoCs”. The collaboration has produced production-ready solutions “that enable safe and accurate mobility in the future,” said Yoshida. The deep learning based camera system is expected to contribute to the widespread adoption of next-generation ADAS implementations and support the escalating vision sensor requirements expected to arrive in the next few years.

StradVision’s deep learning–based object recognition software delivers high performance in recognising vehicles, pedestrians and lane marking. The high-precision recognition software has been optimised for Renesas R-Car automotive SoCs R-Car V3H and R-Car V3M. These R-Car devices incorporate a dedicated engine for deep learning processing called CNN-IP (Convolution Neural Network Intellectual Property), enabling them to run StradVision’s SVNet automotive deep learning network at high speed with minimal power consumption. The object recognition characteristic realises deep learning–based object recognition while maintaining low power consumption, suitable in mass-produced vehicles, encouraging ADAS adoption.

StradVision’s SVNet deep learning software is an AI perception solution for the mass production of ADAS systems. It is characterised by recognition precision in low-light environments and its ability to deal with occlusion when objects are partially hidden by other objects. The basic software package for the R-Car V3H performs simultaneous vehicles, person and lane recognition, processing the image data at a rate of 25 frames per second. Developers can customise the software, adding signs, markings and other objects as recognition targets. StradVision provides support for deep learning-based object recognition covering all the steps from training through the embedding of software for mass-produced vehicles.

In addition to the CNN-IP dedicated deep learning module, the Renesas R-Car V3H and R-Car V3M feature the IMP-X5 image recognition engine. The on-chip image signal processor (ISP) is designed to convert sensor signals for image rendering and recognition processing. This makes it possible to configure a system using inexpensive cameras without built-in ISPs, reducing the overall bill-of-materials (BoM) cost, says Renesas.

The R-Car SoCs featuring the new joint deep learning solution, including software and development support from StradVision, are scheduled to be available to developers by early 2020.

http://www.renesas.com

Claimed to be the first full HD 1080p LCD video controller to include a four-lane MIPI-CSI2 input, the RAA278842 LCD video controller’s four-lane (or dual two-lane) MIPI-CSI2 input supports up to 1Gbit per second per lane. This allows it to interface with the latest generation of automotive cameras, application processors and graphics processors, explains Renesas Electronics. The controller also supports a 150 MHz single-channel OpenLDI interface and a variety of video interfaces and LCD panel sizes with resolutions up to 1920 x 1080.

The RAA278842 can be used for automotive central infotainment displays (CIDs) and head units, instrument clusters, head-up displays (HUDs) and mirror replacement display applications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

“The RAA278842 LCD video controller helps automotive system manufacturers develop versatile and reliable display systems that provide superior HMI graphics for analogue and digital video content,” said Niall Lyne, senior director, automotive mixed-signal/power and video, Renesas Electronics. “Our strong heritage in video signal processing for backup cameras along with highly differentiated new technology is valued by automakers and Tier-1 suppliers worldwide,” he said.

The RAA278842 LCD video controller has 10-bit per colour processing built into the image enhancement engine to provide near-zero latency, high quality video. Integrated video diagnostics detect if the incoming video is frozen or corrupted and can provide a direct path for the rear camera video to be displayed on the LCD. This significantly improves rear camera display reliability, explains Renesas, claiming that it virtually eliminates the possibility of a software-related problem causing the rear camera video to be displayed incorrectly or not at all. The RAA278842 can display the camera image on an LCD in less than 500 milliseconds, addressing the fast boot requirement of many OEMs. The EEPROM/SPI flash fast boot allows register programming without requiring an external microcontroller

The RAA278842 with MIPI-CSI2 output and the RAA278843 with traditional BT.656 output, work with the system’s main processor to monitor the camera and the video data coming from the SoC or graphics processor unit (GPU). After vehicle ignition, while the instrument cluster boots up, the RAA27884x controller can display the carmaker’s logo or live camera video. The controller’s on-screen display feature can also simulate warning lamp checks in an instrument cluster application.

Both controllers enable compliance with FMVSS-111, requiring the blind spot area behind the vehicle is displayed in less than two seconds after the driver places the vehicle in reverse gear.

Proprietary input switching eliminates flicker when switching between sources, claims Renesas and the AEC-Q100 Grade-2 qualified devices are specified for operation from -40 to +105 degrees C

The RAA278842 and RAA278843 can be combined with Renesas’ R-Car SoC family, RH850 MCU family, and RL78 MCU family, as well as the ISL78302 dual LDO, ISL78322 dual 2A/1.7A synchronous buck regulator, and ISL78228 dual 800mA synchronous buck regulator to provide power rails for the RAA27884x and other ICs on the automotive infotainment system board.

Mass production quantities of the RAA278842 with MIPI-CSI2 output are available now in a 14 x 14mm, 128-lead LQFP package.

Mass production quantities of the RAA278843 with BT.656 output are available now in a 14mm x 14mm, 128-lead LQFP package.

http://www.renesas.com