Freescale Brings IoT to Vehicles!

Streamlining the development of infotainment systems integrating Ethernet AVB (Audio-Video Bridging) connectivity for future vehicles with automotive hardware and software solutions

November 3, 2014, Seoul, Korea – Freescale Korea ( www.freescale.co.kr, Country Manager Yeonho Hwang) announced a comprehensive hardware and software development system that enables the use of automotive Ethernet connectivity in the design of next-generation infotainment, instrument panels, camera telematics, and rear-seat entertainment. The new solution supports real-time data transmission throughout the vehicle, offering a new alternative to costly digital technologies.

The new comprehensive SABRE (Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering) for automotive infotainment development systems shortens and simplifies Ethernet AVB (Audio-Video Bridging) development time, leveraging the proven performance and scalability of Freescale i.MX 6 Series application processors. This development system enables the connection of a wide range of onboard multimedia nodes using automotive Ethernet components and is optimized for hardware-software integration. Freescale has also released an automotive AVB Ethernet software stack designed to operate flexibly with the development system's hardware to provide a truly comprehensive solution.

Dan Loop, Automotive Business Development Manager at Freescale’s MCU Group, stated, “The new SABRE automotive infotainment development system applies Freescale’s extensive networking expertise to vehicles to provide Ethernet AVB solutions that connect the vehicle, driver, cloud, and other IoT (Internet of Things). In the era of the Internet of Things, the primary role of infotainment is to intelligently connect the vehicle and all its subsystems with the driver and passenger environment to improve the driving experience and enhance vehicle safety. Freescale’s new SABRE for automotive infotainment systems helps automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers rapidly develop and deploy automotive multimedia systems that fit this new paradigm.”

SABRE automotive infotainment is designed to work with Freescale’s corresponding microcontroller software solutions to support the development of Ethernet AVB connectivity applications for automotive systems and the integration of automotive-grade Ethernet components. This development system utilizes Ethernet AVB with 2-wire CAN cables, which replaces expensive connectivity technologies, thereby reducing significant hardware system costs and wiring burdens for OEMs. SABRE automotive infotainment supports both 100Mbps automotive Ethernet physical interfaces and multiport switches, allowing customers to design according to their specific needs.

Hardware features
The new SABRE automotive infotainment development system includes the following hardware.
• SABRE Automotive Rev2 CPU cards (MCIMX6QAICPU2, MCIMX6DLAICPU2) equipped with i.MX 6 Quad and i.MX 6 DualLite application processors
• Support for the new “Flexible Ethernet Expansion” header:
o Atheros Gb PHY (software compatible with CPU1 system)
o 10/100 Broadcom® BroadR-Reach® PHY
o 10/100 Broadcom BroadR-Reach 4-Port Switch

Semiconductor Recognition AVB Software
Competitive solutions are often determined by comprehensive software that is not limited to specific applications where high cycle usage can lead to reduced performance. However, Freescale’s automotive-grade AVB software is specifically optimized for i.MX 6 series processors, enabling it to provide excellent real-time performance.

Supply situation
Freescale's latest SABRE (Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering) for automotive infotainment is currently in sample production, and expanded supply is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. Additionally, an AVB software solution compatible with the system is scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of 2015. More details can be found at www.freescale.com/sabreai .