S32N55 Processor Central Brain for Real-Time Vehicle Control

The S32N55 processor, the first member of the new S32N family of automotive super-integration processors, was unveiled lately by NXP Semiconductors.

With its scalable mix of safe, real-time, and applications processing, S32N55 Processor forms the core of the recently announced S32 CoreRide central compute solution, which caters to the various central compute demands of automakers.

When it comes to dependable, centralized, real-time vehicle control, which requires deterministic, high-performance computing to enable the greatest degree of functional safety, the S32N55 processor excels.

It can house hundreds of vehicle tasks with varying degrees of criticality while preventing interference between them because to hardware-enforced, software-defined isolation.

Differential electronic control units (ECUs), each with its own microprocessor and wiring, have been adopted for vehicle propulsion, vehicle dynamics, chassis control, body, and other essential vehicle operations.

SDV integration hurdles may now be overcome by securely consolidating vehicle functions into an S32N55 processor with different separation execution contexts.

This “super-integration” capability allows automakers to reduce ECU hardware costs significantly. Decreased material and reduced weight also contribute to sustainability and extended driving range. Ultimately, fewer ECUs and significantly less wiring result in lower manufacturing complexity and time for carmakers.

With the S32N55’s “core-to-pin” hardware isolation and virtualization technologies, its resources can be dynamically partitioned to adapt over time to be used in the optimal way to meet evolving vehicle function needs.

Hardware-enforced isolation of vehicle functions enables automakers to safely consolidate ECUs, streamline software development and support lifetime enhancements and upgrades.

Vehicle functions can be independently managed, including fault handling and reset. They can receive independent software updates with the S32N55’s safe, granular Over-the-Air (OTA) upgradeability which is a crucial capability for SDVs to enhance their functionality over time.

“The S32N55 processor is the central brain for real-time vehicle control in our new S32 CoreRide platform,” said Ray Cornyn, senior vice president and general manager of automotive processors at NXP. “With a powerful combination of unrivaled real-time performance, critical hardware-enforced isolation, and vehicle networking capabilities, it can deliver more functionality with fewer devices, while reducing costs, and offering upgradeability to help improve and future-proof vehicles.”

The automotive-grade S32N55 processor integrates 16 split-lock Arm Cortex®-R52 processor cores running at 1.2 GHz for real-time compute. The cores can operate in split or lockstep mode to support different functional safety levels up to ISO 26262 ASIL D. Two auxiliary pairs of lockstep Cortex-M7 cores support system and communication management.

Tightly-coupled integrated memory and 48 MB of system SRAM enable fast execution with low-latency accesses. A firewalled Hardware Security Engine provides a root of trust for secure boot, security services and key management.

LPDDR4X/5/5X DRAM, LPDDR4X flash, and NAND/NOR flash interfaces can all be used to increase memory. Memory error correction and in-line cryptography support the needs for functional safety and security.

Wiring and system costs are decreased with an integrated Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet switch, a CAN hub for effective internal routing of 24 CAN FD buses, four CAN XL interfaces, and a PCI Express Gen 4 interface.

To expedite client designs, NXP’s system power management and vehicle networking devices are combined with the S32N55 to provide the primary vehicle controller solution for the S32 CoreRide platform.

When paired with the PF53 scalable core supply for platform design, the FS04 safe system power management IC—which was co-architected to ensure ASIL D functional safety—offers high-efficiency power conversion, supports low power modes, and manages power sequencing.

S32N55 Availability and Enablement

For customers, the S32N55 is sampling. To speed up client designs, NXP’s enablement and a robust partner ecosystem which includes the S32 CoreRide software partner ecosystem includes a full board, tools, enablement software, and systems support.