Expanding the application of integrated technology proven in the consumer sector to the automotive sector
Presenting solutions that reflect customer needs, such as ECU integration and minimization of space and power consumption.

How will future cars change?

Although they differ in name—such as autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and driverless cars—fierce competition is underway in the development of automobiles focused on driver convenience and safety.

User-centric future automobiles inevitably require the development of vehicles that reflect user needs. This means that cars must vary depending on the purpose of use or the user's profession. Consequently, as the technology to provide functions tailored to each vehicle concept and optimize them becomes increasingly important, semiconductor companies are facing growing concerns.

Maxim Integrated, which is actively utilizing its strength in integration technology to solve these concerns, can be described as a semiconductor company making very impressive strides in the rapidly changing automotive market.

Solving High-Speed Data Interface Issues with Giga Serial Link Technology

Maxim is applying the proven integrated power solution technologies it has showcased in the consumer sector directly to the automotive industry. The company's approach to the automotive market is also thoroughly customer-centric. It focuses on identifying the challenges customers face in the market and, if so, how those challenges can be resolved.

In other words, we seek ways to integrate the ever-increasing number of ECUs, minimize the resulting space and power consumption, and reduce the overall system cost. We must also address the rapidly growing need for faster data processing speeds. In addition, addressing safety issues and simplifying the system are also challenges.

As the bandwidth of data that serial links must process increases, Maxim is preparing products to support up to 6G by the end of this year, following the mass production of 3.5G products.

Accordingly, High Speed Serial Links can be considered a representative technology that optimizes Maxim’s integration and power technologies for the automotive sector. As the volume of data to be processed in automobiles—such as from large-inch CIDs and clusters—increases, data signal interfaces are becoming increasingly faster, necessitating serial links to handle this.

As the bandwidth of data that serial links must process on their own increases, Maxim is preparing products to support up to 6G (12G when used as dual link) by the end of this year, following the mass production of 3.5G products.

The advantage of Maxim’s GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Links) technology is that it supports both STP and Coax cables; these single cables can transmit not only data but also bidirectional control signals and power. Additionally, it reduces EMI by utilizing spread spectrum between links and incorporates a jitter filter within the IC. This is necessary because the jitter of the SoC clock output varies significantly depending on temperature and product characteristics.

In particular, GMSL has powerful capabilities for fault diagnosis as well as checking error bits. It also supports an Adaptive Equalization function that can automatically clean jitter generated between the deserializer and serializer. Additionally, the Eye Width Monitor (EWM) function, which monitors directly within the IC, allows value readings to be performed without the need for a separate oscilloscope, thereby reducing the workflow for development engineers. This monitoring feature is one of the representative technologies reflecting customer needs.

With Maxim's unique GMSL solution, you can easily configure a surround view system.
Previously, the structure involved transmitting video signals from four SVM (Surround View Monitoring) cameras, which were then sent from the SVM ECU to the SoC via 'four deserializers' to synthesize the images into one. However, using the Maxim 9286 simplifies the structure so that the 9286 synthesizes the four camera images and transmits them directly to the SoC.

Automotive USB solutions and BMS are also differentiated

In addition, Maxim supplies innovative USB solutions and BMS (Battery Management Systems) as automotive solutions. With the recent increase in demand for USB ports in vehicles requiring not only USB 3.0 but also, in some cases, version 3.1, Maxim is developing related solutions with OEMs.

Furthermore, as the issue of green cars grows, the question of how to properly manage batteries has become a significant concern. Maxim's analog front-end ICs, which monitor battery condition, are highly precise and maximize energy efficiency.

Director Choi Young-kyun of Maxim Integrated Korea said, “Maxim has a very diverse range of serializer products. “This is intended to enable customers to purchase products with the features they want at the price they want,” he said, adding, “Reflecting the diverse needs of customers for various automobiles and supplying products that meet those needs is Maxim’s strength and competitive edge.”