NXP launches new chip with ‘10 times more processing power’ to support autonomous cars

NXP Semiconductors has launched a new processor with “10 times more processing power” to support autonomous driving functions.

NXP is believed to be the world’s largest supplier of automotive semiconductors.

The company says the new S32G vehicle network processors mark a “significant turning point” in the way vehicle architectures are designed and implemented.

As the latest offering from NXP’s S32 family of processors, the S32G processors enable the automotive industry shift to high performance domain-based vehicle architectures and provide reduced software complexity and enhanced security and safety.

Adopted by top global original equipment manufacturers, the S32G processors’ primary role will be in service-oriented gateways that will help transform OEMs from carmakers into vehicle data-driven service providers with expanded business opportunities.

NXP says forthcoming generations of connected vehicles will require a “dramatic shift in performance and security to deliver data-driven opportunities”.

It adds that he S32G processors take automotive networking to a “new level” by securely managing data transmission around the vehicle and protecting safety critical applications from malicious intent.

These processors are the “world’s first” integration of traditional MCUs with high-performance application processors with ASIL D functional safety support, and network acceleration, providing a significantly greater level of functionality than previously offered in a single device, claims NXP.

The evolution to connected, autonomous, electrified vehicles will allow a host of data-based services to emerge.

Usage-based insurance, vehicle health monitoring and fleet management services for commercial operators are a few of the opportunities under exploration by OEMs, enabled by NXP’s robust, secure processing capabilities.

The S32G is not, however, solely a network processor. Its unique combination of capabilities enables it to support the latest advanced driver assistance systems applications, as well as providing safe and secure communication capabilities that significantly contribute to the total integration of the vehicle’s network.

Bernhard Augustin, director ECU development autonomous driving at Audi, says: “We found the unique combination of networking, performance and safety features of the S32G processor to be ideal for use in our next-generation ADAS domain controller.”