In connected car news are Keysight Technologies, Renesas & TomTom.
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced the company is first to gain approval from the Global Certification Forum (GCF) for a conformance test case that enables chipset vendors to verify internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) based eCall functionality, advancing in-vehicle emergency call capabilities over 4G long term evolution (LTE) networks.
Confirmed by the GCF conformance agreement group in October 2021, Keysight’s achievement is formally referred to as LTE and Interworking with eCall in IMS (EIEI). It enables vendors of telematics units to verify IMS-based eCall functionality in compliance to specifications set by 3GPP, the global standards organization. The eCall connection uses voice over LTE (VoLTE) to establish a manual or automatic voice call between the emergency services and the driver or passenger in the vehicle involved in the incident.
“The automotive industry depends on a wide range of reliable communication technologies to develop future-proof cars, trucks, buses and other on-road vehicles,” said Muthu Kumaran, general manager Keysight’s Device Validation Solutions business. “Keysight plays a key role in helping automobile vendors meet evolving safety requirements by enabling telematics system makers to quickly and easily adopt the latest digital and connectivity platforms.”
Automotive vendors need access to the latest communications solutions, based on LTE, 5G and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), to deliver continuous safety and convenience for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. IMS enables carriers to cost-effectively deliver rich multimedia services including voice over IP (VoIP), videoconferencing and video on demand (VoD) to end-users. The LTE EIEI test case submission to GCF used Keysight’s S8704A Protocol Conformance Toolset, based on the company’s E7515B UXM 5G Wireless Test platform.
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, introduced the industry’s first RISC-V MCU specifically optimized for advanced motor control systems. The new solution enables customers to benefit from a ready-to-use, turnkey solution for motor control applications, with no development cost. Customers benefit from reduced time to market and cost reductions with the delivery of a pre-programmed ASSP that eliminates RISC-V related tools and software investment. Target applications for the new solution include home/building automation, healthcare devices, home appliances, drones and more.
Renesas has taken a leadership role in delivering RISC-V embedded processing solutions, having recently introduced the 64-bit general-purpose RZ/Five MPUs based on a 64-bit RISC-V CPU, and announcing development of RISC-V automotive solutions, as well.
“As the leading embedded processing provider, Renesas delivers the solutions our customers demand across any number of platforms” said Roger Wendelken, Senior Vice President in Renesas’ IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. “This RISC-V-based ASSP offers an optimum combination of low cost, quick time-to-market and outstanding performance. It complements our current portfolio nicely, reaching out to new customers and emerging markets across the globe.”
Optimized Solution in Collaboration with Global Partners
Renesas’ new R9A02G020 motor control ASSP is based on RISC-V processing IP from Andes Technology Corp. Franklin Lin, CEO of Andes, said, “We are thrilled to have Andes’ entry-level RISC-V processor IP providing computing power in Renesas’ R9A02G020 MCU ASSP. We believe Renesas making a powerful, low-power MCU ASSP available to the market will accelerate the incorporation of RISC-V in a broad array of applications. It will also encourage software developers to produce more creative and efficient applications for RISC-V, thus speeding up adoption of this next generation paradigm.”
Renesas will deliver the new RISC-V ASSP pre-programmed with specialized application code developed by leading Independent Design Houses (IDHs) BFG Engineering and DigiPower (HK) Technology Ltd. Both BFG and DigiPower have specialized expertise in the motor control field and proven customer support capability. BFG is famous for sensor-less algorithms that allow customers to reduce motor start-up times. DigiPower has been creating cost-optimized, scalable motor drive solutions since 2008 and has designed specific solutions for control of refrigerator compressors, fans, pumps and more. Both BFG and DigiPower will work with customers to finalize designs and aid the transition to production.
SEGGER Microcontroller GmbH has also partnered in this effort. The complete SEGGER ecosystem, including Embedded Studio and J-Link, was a key element used to create and test these motor control solutions.
Key Features of the R9A02G020 Motor Control ASSP Solution
RISC-V Motor Control Winning Combination
Renesas has designed a 3-Phase Motor Control with RISC-V Core Winning Combination that employs the R9A02G020 and other compatible devices from Renesas portfolio to support general-purpose 3-phase motors. Renesas Winning Combinations are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimized low-risk design for a faster time to market. Renesas offers more than 300 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the Renesas portfolio to enable customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly. They can be found at renesas.com/win.
The R9A02G020 MCU ASSP motor control solution is available now. For further information, please visit: renesas.com/R9A02G020.
TomTom (TOM2), the mapmaker and geolocation specialist, has introduced GO Navigation’s truck plan – an offer designed to meet the needs of professional truck drivers. In addition to GO Navigation’s premium navigation capabilities, this enables drivers to plan routes that account for their vehicle’s dimensions, fuel requirements, desired maximum speeds and cargo (such as dangerous goods).
Drivers will also be able to plan multiple drop-offs and gain access to an overview of upcoming points of interest (POIs) – such as fuel stations suitable for their vehicle and truck stops. These truck- specific additions work in conjunction with the app’s existing navigation features, including intuitive lane guidance, live traffic and the Route Bar – a convenient snapshot of the route, stops, relevant alerts and restrictions ahead.
“Truck navigation on mobile is a game changer. The new plan is a result of TomTom’s long-standing relationship with professional drivers. After years of experience with truck-specific sat navs, we understand this industry’s biggest pain-points, so we were able to develop a solution that fills the gap left by the generic navigation offerings found in other apps.” says Pim Spaanderman, Managing Director, TomTom Consumer.
Punctuality is critical in the trucking industry, which makes accurate ETAs incredibly useful. TomTom’s ETAs aren’t only among the most accurate in the world – they adjust according to real-time traffic data, giving drivers a realistic snapshot of their schedule. The TomTom GO Navigation’s truck plan user interface (UI) is designed to minimize distractions and keep attention on the road – something that’s especially important for anyone operating heavy vehicles over long, fatiguing distances. And with Android Auto™ compatibility, drivers also have the option to sync their route with their in-dash screen.
By accounting for factors like vehicle size and cargo type, this plan helps professional drivers stay up to speed with ever-changing road regulations – such as avoiding prohibited routes and complying with UN Class restrictions. And with further updates in the pipeline, it will soon account for measures like low emission zones.
“As a third-generation truck driver, I can say with some confidence that this addition couldn’t come sooner. Having TomTom’s large-vehicle navigation features right there on an app is a big win for the trucking community,” says Luke Cuss, one of TomTom’s trucking ambassadors.
“The job gets challenging at times, sure, and changing traffic conditions and regulations can be hard to keep up with – but this plan will help us stay on top of all that, meaning we can focus on the road ahead, enjoy the ride and stay on schedule.”
GO Navigation’s truck plan is available now for Android users on the Google Play Store. To mark the launch, TomTom is offering 50% off to those who subscribe for the plan over the next two weeks.