The era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) is well underway, driving the evolution of centralized vehicle architectures and the consolidation of electronic control units (ECUs). This transition necessitates high-performance MCUs that can manage complex, multifunctional operations and the real-time demands of SDVs.
When Rimac Technology , a leading automotive industry player specialized in high-performance control systems, needed a real-time processor for its next-generation ECU, it looked to NXP and the S32E2 series. The result is a centralized architecture that simplifies development, dramatically reduces the number of ECUs, and reduces the bill of materials (BOM) while also providing a path forward for OEMs to enable advanced domain and zonal control applications.
Rimac Technology, like other innovative automotive suppliers, needed to address the challenges in managing the growing complexity of distributed E/E architectures and the increasing reliance on hundreds of ECUs and extensive cabling for critical operations. The design obstacles that came with a traditional, flat, distributed approach were becoming unmanageable.
Two architectural trends are driving the shift to SDVs in parallel: domain and zonal configurations. The domain-focused approach prioritizes scalable and centralized software development. This streamlines software integration and supports the rise of software-defined vehicles, while enabling seamless over-the-air (OTA) updates for easier vehicle upgrades. A zonal-focused architecture simplifies wiring and connectivity, significantly reducing wire routing and lowering cable costs. This approach also facilitates an easier integration of new vehicle capabilities, creating opportunities for monetization.
S32Z and S32E real-time processors address the vehicle’s needs for high-performance deterministic real-time control in a multiapplications environment. Learn more about S32Z and S32E processors.
Acknowledging the need for a strategic shift in this direction, Rimac undertook a year-long development effort to transition to a centralized architecture. This necessitated advanced, scalable hardware solutions that can address the unique demands of modern automotive platforms. The company needed to replace a system that comprised more than 20 individual ECUs, complicated software integration, increased weight and power consumption and dragged down overall system efficiency.
In addition to meeting performance and computational requirements, the design also had to comply with stringent safety and regulatory standards. Thermal management posed another challenge in maintaining long-term reliability under high-performance conditions. At the top of the Rimac’s requirements for this undertaking was a high-performance, automotive-grade MCU that could meet the processing and real-time responsiveness needed to integrate multiple ECUs into a single domain controller. The transition to centralized architectures demanded an MCU capable of managing complex, real-time applications across various domains. One of the first projects Rimac Technology had in mind for this new approach was its hyper car program , which required substantial computational power and NXP’s S32E2 proved to be the ideal solution.
Its exceptional performance, scalability and adherence to stringent safety standards put NXP’s S32E2 at the heart of a centralized architecture that consolidates over 20 ECUs into just three. ECUs responsible for vehicle control, powertrain and body functions ranging from battery management and seat control to smart key access and power distribution are now consolidated into three streamlined domain control modules. This consolidation boosts system performance while enhancing reliability and scalability — equipping OEMs with SDV architectures that feature advanced domain and zonal control applications.
At the core of safe and robust system consolidation is the processor’s core-to-pin isolation mechanism, which is software-defined and hardware-enforced. This mechanism not only allows tasks to be isolated at the core level but also ensures that resources such as memory, peripherals and pins are safely partitioned to prevent cross-domain interference. This ensures freedom from interference and maintains quality of service across mixed-criticality workloads. The isolation model also supports fine-grained, task-level fault containment and recovery, enabling resilient system behavior across the entire SoC. Complementing this, the integrated hardware security engine provides essential security functions including secure boot, cryptographic key management and runtime security services.
The S32E2’s multicore architecture, capable of delivering up to 1 GHz processing speed, ensures high-performance processing essential for complex, real-time applications. Additionally, the platform integrates advanced control systems, including high-resolution analog-to-digital converters and timers, which provide precise motor control and actuation. Comprehensive communication support for CAN FD, LIN, can be accelerated with the FlexLLCE engine and integrated automotive Ethernet switches further streamlines network consolidation, providing enhanced flexibility and efficiency. Certified to ISO 26262, ASIL D and ISO 21434 cybersecurity standards, the S32E platform also offers robust fault tolerance for critical systems, ensuring optimal safety and security compliance.
NXP closely collaborated with Rimac’s engineering team to overcome critical implementation challenges. This included developing a flexible AUTOSAR®-based framework for seamless integration across multiple vehicle domains, optimizing hardware and software configurations to deliver a production-ready design and guiding the process to ensure fault tolerance, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and compliance with safety certifications.
The combination of Rimac Technology's end-to-end expertise—from hardware design and software development to production—with NXP’s microprocessor technology has resulted in an ECU solution that brings exceptional performance and versatility to next-generation automotive platforms. The jointly developed ECU future-proofs vehicle architectures, enables seamless software updates and reduces costs, time to market and complexity for future vehicle platforms.
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