- New class of processors with the critical deterministic response of secure microcontrollers but with a unique combination of gigahertz speed, multi-application isolation, and memory expansion capabilities
- Ideal for secure integration of vehicle functions across multiple domains for software-defined vehicles
- Scalable families of 32nm S32Z and S16E processors with anticipation for 5nm
NXP Semiconductors has announced two new families of processors that leverage the benefits of NXP's innovative S32 automotive platform with high-performance, secure, real-time processing. The S32Z and S32E families of processors help the automotive industry to accelerate the integration of various real-time applications for domain and zone control, security processing and vehicle electrification, essential for the next generation of safer and more secure vehicles. efficient. The S32Z processors are ideal for security processing, as well as domain and zone control, while the S32E processors are ideal for electric vehicle control and intelligent actuation. The S32Z and S32E processors with compatible software help software-defined vehicles reduce the complexity of software integration and improve safety and security.
The evolution of the automotive industry towards domain and zone architectures is attractive for car manufacturers as it allows them to optimize cabling, reduce cost and weight, as well as apply a more scalable, economical and software-centric approach. , to the development and modernization of intelligent vehicles. This massive transformation requires new processors to offer increased performance, application isolation, and memory expansion capabilities to support software-defined vehicles and future innovations.
Designing real-time processors with the performance and deterministic response demanded by next-generation software-defined vehicles requires intense collaboration across the automotive ecosystem. Robert Bosch GmbH has been a key partner in this rigorous process.
“We have worked closely with NXP in the development of the two new families of processors,” said Axel Aue, Vice President of Engineering at Bosch. “The S32Z and S32E processors double the performance of embedded NVM microcontrollers, incorporate advanced features into the integration platform, and scalable memory with LPDDR4 DRAM and flash. They are also ideal for embedded integration as well as consolidating and isolating vehicle functions with very high performance that previously required multiple microcontrollers.”
NXP's S32Z and S32E processors provide capabilities that exceed those offered by current automotive microcontrollers with eight Arm processor cores® Cortex®-R52 that can operate in split-lock mode up to 1 GHz to overcome the challenges of securely integrating high-performance, deterministic, and real-time applications. The processors isolate each real-time application through core-to-pin hardware virtualization and resource firewalling to eliminate interference. Processors integrate up to 64 MB of flash memory for large over-the-air upgrades with no wait time, support for LPDDR4 DRAM and flash memory expansion with XiP (execute-in-place) mode for large applications and AUTOSAR applications® Adaptive. A communications accelerator (FlexLLCE) supporting 24 CAN interfaces, together with a Gigabit Ethernet switch for TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking), efficiently feed vehicle data to “virtual electronic control units (ECUs)” in order to improve efficiency and optimize software development. A hardware security engine (HSE) provides 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 in the form of advanced timers and high-resolution A/D converters, 5V analog circuitry, and I/O for EV integration applications with direct drive motor control.
The versatility and benefits of the S32Z and S32E processors enable the world's leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier One suppliers to develop a wide range of new architectures for vehicles with diverse real-time processing needs. .
“The new S32Z and S32E processors place NXP in a leadership position for secure, high-performance real-time processing and complement the other S32 automotive processors targeting the various end-to-end architectures in the domains and zones of the vehicles,” said Ray Cornyn, SVP/GM of NXP Vehicle Control and Network Solutions. “We offer our customers a real-time, scalable and compatible portfolio that extends to 5nm technology to design the software-defined and consolidated vehicles of the future.”
