NXP Semiconductors is launching the scalable ARM Cortex-based S32K1 microcontroller unit (MCU) range in combination with a range of development tools for the automotive industry. With the new MCUs, NXP offers an alternative to AUTOSAR in applications where the use of AUTOSAR is not mandatory.
Traditionally, software development in the automotive industry has used AUTOSAR, which stands for 'AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture'. AUTOSAR is an open and standardised software architecture for ECUs developed jointly by car manufacturers, suppliers and other parties. AUTOSAR has been in existence since 2003.
Not mandatory for every application
However, it is not required for every application to use AUTOSAR. Companies can choose to develop their own software architecture in this case. However, this is not only labour-intensive, but also makes it necessary to test whether this architecture meets the requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council's (AEC) AEC-Q100 certification. This can therefore affect the time-to-market.
NXP is responding with the S32K1 series. With it, the company is offering an AEC-Q100 pre-qualified software development kit (SDK) for the automotive industry. The SDK includes drag-and-drop functionality that allows prototyping of software applications in a short time. This gives companies an alternative to AUTOSAR for applications in which its use is not mandatory, without putting pressure on time-to-market.
SDK
The SDK includes:
- MISRA and SPICE Level 3 compliant low-level drivers for peripherals.
- Optional application-specific middleware for LIN, NFC and touch screens.
- The FreeRTOS operating system.
- Drivers for complementary ICs from NXP that enable applications to boot up faster.
- Documented source code and application examples.
The SDK is a standard part of NXP's free S32 Design Studio (DS). S32 DS is an Eclipse-based integrated development environment (IDE) that provides support for multiple compilers and debuggers.
Key features
Key features of the S32K1 series of MCUs are:
- ARM Cortex-M CPU.
- 128KB to 2MB flash memory.
- Support for ISO CAN FD.
- CSEc hardware security,
- Support for ASIL-B.
- Low power consumption.
Examples of the S32K144 and a $49 development board are available immediately. The MCUs are expected to go into production by NXP in the second quarter of 2017. The S32K MCUs are part of NXP's Product Longevity Program, which guarantees that the product will remain available for a minimum period of 15 years. NXP reports that 10 of the 15 largest global automakers have already announced that they will implement S32K in their next-generation cars.
More information on the S32K MCUs can be found here. More information on AUTOSAR is available here.
By: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photos: NXP
