To support the transition to future vehicles where capabilities and features are defined with software code, rather than with
hardware boxes, a new approach to design them is required.
NXP has announced the new S32N family of vehicle super-integration processors offering scalable combinations of safe, real-time
and applications processing to address a wide range of automakers’ central compute needs. S32N processors can help realize the
new use cases and benefits of software-defined vehicles, efficiently create and monetize vehicle data insights and streamline
the deployment of vehicle functions and services over a vehicle’s lifetime.
The S32N family of processors provide flexibility for automakers to evolve their vehicle electrical/electronic (E/E)
architectures and centralize cross-vehicle functions previously implemented as individual hardware boxes called electronic control units (ECUs) into a central compute ECU. A central compute ECU can be a central vehicle controller focused on real-time
applications or a central vehicle computer that also provides applications processing.
S32N processors can safely “super-integrate” dozens of cross-vehicle functions with mixed-criticality using hardware isolation
and virtualization technologies that ensure freedom from interference between functions. Supported by complementary system
components, software tools and pre-integrated software, S32N processors are designed to accelerate software-defined vehicle (SDV) development and reduce
vehicle cost and complexity.
S32N family of vehicle super-integration processors enables S32 CoreRide central compute solutions
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block diagram.
NXP is helping transform SDV development. Explore how the
S32 CoreRide platform empowers carmakers with efficiencies and new value creation.
The scalable S32N family offers many combinations of safe, real-time and applications processing cores to meet a wide range of
central compute needs from real-time operating systems running deterministic vehicle control to high-level operating systems
running vehicle management and OEM applications and services.
All S32N devices integrate an advanced hardware security engine, multi-port TSN Ethernet switch and CAN hub, with some also
supporting Ethernet packet acceleration, AI/ML acceleration and cost-effective, inter-compute PCI Express services.
S32N super-integration processor is scalable across core vehicle functions
The Core of Future Vehicles
Automakers using S32N processors will be able to centrally consolidate core vehicle functionality in a central compute
ECU—everything that makes a vehicle, a vehicle—from how the vehicle accelerates and handles, to the feel and agility of the
steering and the comfort of the ride. The central compute ECU can now be custom-built to suit the diverse requirements of
automakers’ vehicles. It can process vehicle information and orchestrate actions—again, for the first time—from all the
vehicle’s core centralized functionality to create new and improved experiences, and these can be fine-tuned, updated and
enhanced over time.
Lean Is Green Too
Reducing the number and weight of car components offers a potentially enormous advantage for the automotive industry. In current
vehicles, around 40% of the weight is electronics and wiring. Automakers increasingly attempting to meet challenging lowered or
zero-carbon goals, and the integration of the S32N’s ability to super-integrate vehicle functions into a single chip in a
central compute ECU, will help them achieve these goals as they design and offer lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles.
S32 CoreRide Central Compute Solution
NXP’s S32 CoreRide central compute solution,
announced on March 28, 2024, is based on S32N processors. The solution combines S32N compute, vehicle networking and system
power management (such as the FS04 safe power management IC) to accelerate central compute development. The solution was
designed to adhere to the most rigorous automotive industry standards for vehicle functional safety (ISO 26262), security
(ISO/SAE 21434) and reliability.
When combined with software from our partner ecosystem, including NXP’s pre-integrated isolation execution environments, NXP
will offer the automotive industry’s first holistic SDV solution that can scale across the vehicle, and vehicle fleets, to meet
global automakers' needs today and into the future.
