STMicroelectronics showcases its latest intelligent driving solutions at the 2018 Japan Automotive Technology Expo

January 17-19, 2018, Tokyo Big Sight, Japan (ST booth number: E43-47)

STMicroelectronics (ST; NYSE: STM) will showcase its latest semiconductor solutions for smart driving at AUTOMOTIVE WORLD 2018. The automotive industry is witnessing rapid developments in cutting-edge automotive technologies , such as autonomous driving, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and electric vehicle (EV) power management. ST will showcase multiple solutions integrating various semiconductor technology products at its booth to help automakers develop safer, more connected, and greener cars.

"Safer" cars are based on autonomous driving and ADAS technologies , which require advanced environmental perception solutions . STMicroelectronics will demonstrate its high dynamic range (HDR) automotive CMOS image sensor without LED flicker, and its target applications include automotive electronic rearview mirrors, 360-degree panoramic imaging and other image processing systems. Traffic lights, road signs and automotive LED lights seen by the human eye are always on, while ordinary image sensors capture LED light sources that flicker. The flicker phenomenon will disrupt the normal operation of the automotive image processing system , so image sensors without LED flicker are very important. STMicroelectronics' demonstration will show visitors how its latest image sensors can eliminate LED flicker problems in various lighting conditions such as dark and bright areas of the image .

STMicroelectronics will also showcase long-range (77/81GHz) and short-range (24/26GHz) radar transceiver chips. These transceivers can measure the distance between cars or between cars and objects . The 77GHz radar system is suitable for next-generation automotive functions , such as high-speed adaptive cruise control systems that require high power output , while the 24GHz radar system is particularly suitable for driver assistance functions such as blind spot detection, collision avoidance and lane departure warning . In addition, STMicroelectronics will also showcase MEMS motion sensors required for functions such as car navigation, driving recorders, smart keys , and the highly anticipated image processor.

The explosion of the connected car market has prompted STMicroelectronics to start a technical cooperation with Israeli company Valens. Connected cars are equipped with in-vehicle communication networks and connection technologies that connect vehicles to the outside world and even the cloud through mobile phones, road facilities . At AUTOMOTIVE WORLD, STMicroelectronics and Valens will jointly demonstrate a multimedia network for interconnecting automotive devices . The exhibit integrates STMicroelectronics' powerful and secure in - vehicle information service processor and high-quality and low-cost in-vehicle infotainment processor that can process image and audio and video signals with Valens' HDBaseT Automotive next-generation multimedia data transmission technology , which transmits data at high speed (maximum rate of 6Gbps) in the car through an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) .

While "  more intelligently connected " cars bring more convenience to people, they also raise concerns about information security issues, including data theft or unauthorized access. STMicroelectronics' booth will showcase an automotive-grade TPM (Trusted Platform Module) sensor chip to patch security vulnerabilities in connected cars. The security chip complies with the AEC-Q100 automotive electronic component reliability test standard, TPM 2.0 standard and Common Criteria EAL5+ security certification. In addition, STMicroelectronics also plans to showcase a Common Criteria EAL5+ certified automotive security microcontroller.  

In terms of " greener " driving , the automotive industry is shifting its focus to electric vehicles (EVs) , which require more advanced and energy-efficient power control technologies. The STMicroelectronics booth will showcase automotive power semiconductors using the next-generation semiconductor material SiC (silicon carbide). STMicroelectronics' automotive-grade SiC power MOSFETs feature low switching power losses (about 1/4 of the current mainstream IGBT power consumption) and a wide operating temperature range . STMicroelectronics also showcased an automotive-grade SiC diode with better reverse recovery characteristics than silicon bipolar diodes . STMicroelectronics' SiC solutions can be used in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as in railway, industrial and solar applications.

STMicroelectronics will also exhibit a fully AEC-Q101-compliant automotive-grade 48V DC-DC converter for power control systems at AUTOMOTIVE WORLD 2018. This product has an on-resistance of less than 1.1 Ω (at 40V) and a maximum junction temperature of 175°C , suitable for automotive chassis with demanding working environments . In addition, STMicroelectronics will also launch an electric vehicle charging solution, which uses a general-purpose microcontroller (MCU) with the latest power semiconductor devices to achieve efficient power control.

Other ST exhibits include automotive microcontrollers and EEPROMs, LED drivers, low-dropout regulators, and USB Type-C power systems, as well as a smart key solution that integrates Bluetooth® low energy communication chip and MEMS inertial sensors, and many other devices.