Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing

Automotive
Arm announced a new software architecture, two reference hardware implementations, and its role leading a new industry group that will work on open-source software for automotive use. The Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge (SOAFEE) is based on Arm’s Project Cassini and SystemReady, aims to help the automotive industry move to software-defined systems by tackling the complexity of code in a standardized framework. AWS, ADLink, Ampere, Apex.AI, AutoCore, Capgemini Engineering, CARIAD, Continental, Green Hills Software, Linaro, Marvell, MIH Consortium, Red Hat, SUSE, Tier IV, Woven Planet, and Zing Robotics all collaborated with Arm. Two reference hardware platforms are available.

Cadence unveiled a Tensilica DSP platform for developing artificial intelligence (AI) SoC development with three AI product families designed for low, mid, and high-end AI systems. On the high-end, Tensilica AI Platform can be used to develop intelligent sensor, internet of things (IoT) audio, mobile vision/voice AI, IoT vision, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications. The three flavors of AI are AI Base, AI Boost, and AI Max. Base has the Tensilica HiFi DSPs for audio/voice, Vision DSPs, and ConnX DSPs for radar/lidar and communications, combined with AI instruction-set architecture (ISA) extensions. Boost adds the Tensilica NNE 110 AI engine, and Max adds the Tensilica NNA 1xx AI accelerator family.

Synopsys now offers an automotive reference flow on GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX process that helps developers create ASIL D / ISO 26262-compliant components. Developers can analyze functional safety, implement and verify ADAS, powertrain, 5G, and radar systems. The flow uses Synopsys’ DesignWare ARC EM Processor IP with automated safety mechanism insertion through Synopsys’ TestMAX FuSa static analysis for functional safety. Also Synopsys’ Design Compiler synthesis, IC Compiler II place-and-route, and Formality RTL equivalence checking tools. 22FDX is a 22nm FD-SOI (fully-depleted silicon on insulator) process. GlobalFoundries says an IC made on the 22nm FD-SOI uses up to 70% lower power than 28nm.

SAE L2 automated parking assist systems will bring automotive OEM’s to $11 billion USD revenue in 2030, whereas L4 not so much, says ABIResearch.

Pervasive computing
Siemens Digital Industries Software’s Aprisa place-and-route tools are now certified on GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX platform. The certification includes place-and-route technology files, and RC extraction files. Synopsys has a GF 22FDX-qualified reference flow that runs on AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud for teams designing SoCs destined for 5G mmWave, edge AI and IoT applications.

Mixel says its MIPI C-PHY/D-PHY Combo IP on TSMC N5 process is now available. The IP targets cameras and displays. The C-PHY has a speed of 4.5 Gsps per trio and in MIPI D-PHY mode, the IP can reach 4.5 Gbps per lane. The combo IP can reach an aggregate bandwidth of 30.78 Gbps and 18 Gbps. Mixel 5 nm test chip was successful on first-time silicon.

Apple announced its A15 Bionic chip, which will be in new iPhones, the iPad Mini. The iPad has the A13 chip, an upgrade from last year’s A12.

The global smart home market will grow by a 24% compound-annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2025, says market research firm Omdia in a press release. Omdia estimates the market was worth $60.8 billion in 2020 and will reach over $178.5 billion in 2025. Smart apartments and single-family home builders, especially in the U.S., will have the greatest influence on the smart home market over the next few years as they adopt smart technologies during the building process.

Rockwell Automation’s latest release of Studio 5000 Simulation Interface now connects with Ansys Twin Builder, allowing automation and process engineers to leverage simulation-based digital twins. Users can create and test designs in a virtual space, saving the time and money associated with costly physical prototypes. The digital domain can also be used to test process changes before being implemented in the field, which can boost throughput and other performance aspects.

Security
Infineon’s PSoC 64 Standard Secure MCU family with Arm Cortex-M processors is now certified at PSA Level 2, a lab-based security test for IoT devices. Arm’s Platform Security Architecture (PSA) certification evaluates the PSA Root of Trust (PSA-RoT). The device is put through vulnerability analysis and penetration testing to test that nine security requirements were met to verify if the device can protect itself against software attacks.

Companies, people
Sassine Ghazi will become president and chief operating officer of Synopsys on November 1. Chi-Foon Chan to be moving out of the co-CEO role in the first half of 2022.

GSA held its first WISH (Women in Semiconductor Hardware) conference, which is part of its initiative to support individual women in semiconductor industry. Lisa Su, president and CEO, AMD, was awarded the Woman of Innovation Award.

Supply chain organizations need a CRO or chief robotics officer, says analyst firm Gartner. 

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