Let two-wheelers and three-wheelers use digital interconnected instrument panels: the new reference design platform helps you realize it!

In order to cater to the growing market demand for two-wheelers and speed up the time to market, NXP has joined hands with Tessolve , a leader in system productization and chip engineering solutions, to jointly enhance the two-wheelers launched by NXP in November last year. Proof of concept design . The two companies have collaborated to launch a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy Digital Connected Cluster (DCC) platform designed for two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers and their tier-1 suppliers.

The new generation DCC digital instrument panel platform has been put into mass production, providing a turnkey solution for entry-level, mass-market electric vehicles and motorcycles. In addition, the platform is optimized for other vehicle types, such as tuk-tuks and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) designed for sports, agriculture and industrial use.

The DCC platform combines NXP’s rich silicon and software portfolio, two-wheeler platform expertise , years of automotive experience and superior customer support with Tessolve’s embedded solutions and system integration capabilities to jointly address the needs of electric two-wheelers. Challenges posed by emerging markets for wheelers and tricycles. The DCC platform is cost-effective and adopts a package-scalable design concept that can reduce costs and improve development efficiency, thereby speeding up and simplifying the process of acquiring integrated technology. Automakers can choose to adopt the platform "as-is" directly into their dashboard designs, or they can choose to work with Tessolve to customize the software and hardware aspects of the design to their specific vehicle needs.

Designed to drive digital transformation in the mass market, the DCC platform integrates the AW611 Wi-Fi 6 connectivity solution and i.MX RT1170 MCU to provide rich digital dashboard graphics and advanced audio connectivity. In addition, it leverages the NXP KW45 BLE wireless MCU to provide cyclists with secure wireless access and location capabilities. When the KW45 MCU in the two-wheeler digital dashboard is registered with mainstream search applications, riders can use their smartphones to track the location of the two-wheeler on a map and trigger sound/light indications when closer. NXP also provides the multi-channel PF5103 PMIC to implement power-on sequence control and fault management, including power supply for peripherals.

The reference platform integrates multiple NXP system-on-chips (SoCs) and other key components on a common Smart Mobile Architecture (SMARC)-based system-on-module (SOM) board, streamlining customers' design processes. The SOM is mounted on an application board, which provides other system functions and connections to displays and other vehicle electronic control units (ECUs). This DCC features a modern compact reference housing designed by Tessolve. The digital instrument panel housing is made of ABS plastic and houses a thin film transistor (TFT) display, LED indicators, rider-facing camera, rider input buttons, USB 2.0 ports and connectors for power, CAN interfaces, sensors and other IO .

From daily commuters to high-end models, two-wheelers are undergoing an electrification revolution. While combustion engine-powered scooters and motorcycles remain ubiquitous, electric vehicles are the fastest-growing segment of the two-wheeler market. This growth is driven by ease of use, rising fuel prices, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. driven by various initiatives taken. McKinsey said that although only a handful of two-wheelers are currently electrified, momentum for two-wheeler electrification is steadily building. McKinsey predicts that the wave of innovation and disruptive change will intensify in the coming years. Digital displays on electric two-wheelers will be key to transforming the industry.

Electric vehicle companies are luring drivers toward electric mobility by developing value-added digital features such as connected dashboards. Following this trend, two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers are actively integrating digital instrument clusters into their new models. These displays provide real-time data on basic parameters including speed, rpm, positioning, navigation, temperature and range, helping riders focus better and improving the overall riding experience.

Connected digital displays with rich graphics are critical to the safe operation of limited-range electric vehicles, providing critical information that enables drivers to view battery level, charging statistics, navigation details, charge point locations and more. NXP's DCC platform is designed to enable vehicle manufacturers to deliver these essential capabilities while supporting essential connectivity use cases that improve the user experience, including hands-free calling, smartphone pairing, music sharing, phone projection, location tracking, secure access, FindMy Vehicle location services, over-the-air (OTA) updates, fleet management and other functions.