As automotive electronics architecture shifts toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), there's a clear trend toward offloading complex computations to central computing and designing smaller, simpler peripheral controllers. This process has challenged small ECUs, which handle sensors and actuators, to simultaneously reduce costs and development time. This, in turn, is fueling the need for integrated development environments with pre-configured hardware and software.

Vector Korea announced on March 12 an expanded collaboration with Microchip Technology, offering embedded solutions pre-integrating Vector's MICROSAR IO with Microchip's dsPIC33A DSC family. The two companies have developed a ready-to-use hardware and software combination targeting small, resource-constrained electronic control units (ECUs).

The key point is that MICROSAR IO now officially supports the dsPIC33A. MICROSAR IO is a lightweight software-based layer designed for sensor and actuator control devices, designed to implement necessary functions even in resource-constrained environments. Combining the dsPIC33A platform here reduces initial compatibility verification and integration work, enabling development teams to begin implementing applications more quickly.

The target is control nodes within the SDV architecture, which require miniaturization and cost-efficiency. As the design shifts toward a distributed functional architecture, with HPCs or zone controllers handling high-performance computations and edge nodes performing only essential control functions, the company explains that the combination of lightweight software and economical hardware is becoming increasingly important.

On the hardware side, the dsPIC33A is a digital signal controller with integrated peripherals for sensing, motor control, and power conversion. Designed for real-time control, it focuses on simplifying system design. Vector also provides an open standards-based hardware abstraction interface, allowing for future expansion to other Microchip platforms. This approach aims to increase interoperability by avoiding being tied to a single hardware component.

Joe Thompson, vice president of Microchip's dsPIC business unit, explained that this collaboration is an extension of Microchip's strategy to provide interoperable, production-ready embedded solutions. He said that MICROSAR IO, optimized for the dsPIC33A, enables both development speed and cost efficiency. Jochen Rein, senior vice president of Vector's software business unit, also said that the pre-integrated approach simplifies the development process for small control devices and enables more agile response to customer needs.

To support customers, the two companies will also provide a MICROSAR IO evaluation bundle, including sample applications and dsPIC33A platform support. As centralized vehicle electronics architectures expand, edge ECUs must be developed more quickly and cost-effectively. This collaboration demonstrates how distributed control node development is changing in the SDV era.