Implications for extending the NXP S32 automotive platform with real-time processors

NXP's S32 automotive platform has been updated with a new category of real-time processors with safe MCU deterministic behavior, providing excellent gigabit-class clock speed, multi-application isolation support and memory expansion capabilities. The new 16nm S32Z and S32E real-time processor series are suitable for providing cross-domain functional safety integration for software-defined cars.

The expansion of the S32 platform is significant, allowing NXP customers to take advantage of the commonality and advantages of the platform in their new automotive architectures, such as Arm® Cortex® processor cores, integrated hardware safety engine (HSE), ISO 26262 ASIL D functional safety support and a common software development environment, as well as application-oriented processor series. The S32G automotive network processor is suitable for automotive computing and service-oriented gateways. The S32K general-purpose microcontroller is suitable for body domain applications and regional applications. The S32Z real-time processor is suitable for safety processing and real-time domain control and regional control applications. Together, these devices support customers' diverse end-to-end domain and regional automotive architectures, enabling future software-defined cars.

NXP creates end-to-end solutions for automotive infrastructure platforms

But what is “real-time processing” and why is it so important? In computing, “real-time” refers to responding to events within a specified time period. Otherwise, the application may not work properly and may not be safe to operate. Real-time applications operate consistently and predictably, so they are “deterministic” and complete the execution of operations within a specified maximum time. To meet timing constraints, the processor core must meet performance requirements, provide fast interrupt response and provide deterministic execution, and the Arm Cortex-R52 processor core used in the S32Z and S32E series processors is able to meet these requirements . The Cortex-R52 processor core also supports the functional safety and hypervisor support required for these safe, real-time applications.

Learn how the GreenBox 3 development platform supports the integration of various real-time applications, enabling new vehicle architectures and software-defined vehicles.

The initial samples of the S32Z2 and S32E2 families have 8 Cortex-R52 processor cores with divisible lockstep support, operating at frequencies up to 1 GHz. With divisible lockstep, different processor core configurations can be selected at boot time based on application requirements. For example, 4 lockstep pairs are supported, two of which have 4 non-lockstep processor cores, or all 8 processor cores are running in non-lockstep mode , providing high flexibility.

In the future, NXP will offer samples of the S32Z1 series, which has 4 Cortex-R52 processor cores for applications that require higher performance than traditional automotive microcontrollers for real-time application integration, but with slightly lower performance than the S32Z2 series. In this way, two pin-compatible and software-compatible processor families have high scalability. The real-time processors will also continue to expand in the future with higher performance and will be integrated with 5nm products in the future, creating a strong software compatibility roadmap. NXP currently has a functional 5nm real-time processor test chip, which is the first product for these future products.

Compatibility and scalability of S32Z and S32E processors

The S32Z processor is suitable for safety processing, domain control and regional control. The series can integrate various safety and vehicle control applications, such as vehicle power and chassis control. The software-compatible S32E processor provides additional complex timers and 3.3V/5V analog-to-digital converters and 5V I/O, which is ideal for electric vehicle (xEV) control and smart drive applications.

The S32Z and S32E processors are designed to meet the needs of multi-tenant real-time applications that support the transition from a hardware-centric approach (adding new functionality through modules or electronic control units (ECUs)) to a software-defined approach (“virtual ECUs” run as software tasks on a single multi-core real-time processor). There are a wide range of automotive real-time applications in the car. They can be integrated in various parts of the domain architecture and the regional architecture, as shown below.

Real-time application examples

The goal is to provide isolation between virtual ECUs, ensuring protection from interference as if they were separate ECUs, which requires the S32Z and S32E processors to provide a new level of hardware isolation through "core-to-pin" hardware virtualization. This end-to-end virtualization support ensures that each virtual ECU can only access and control specific processing, peripherals, memory, and I/O, isolating these virtual ECUs and enabling separate responses to faults that do not affect other virtual ECUs. In addition, hardware virtualization supports defined quality of service levels related to external memory access. The S32Z and S32E processors are ready to support new software-defined automotive requirements.

S32Z / S32E multi-application integration example.

The following example shows how S32Z and S32E processors support virtual ECUs and also demonstrates "EV-on-chip", that is, how to integrate multiple ECU real-time functions on an S32E processor.

Multi-ECU Integration Example - Propulsion Domain Controller

With speeds up to 1 GHz, the 16nm S32Z and S32E processors offer a strong competitive advantage over competing 28nm secure microcontrollers that typically run in the 300-400 MHz range . This enables the S32Z and S32E processors to support more complex real-time applications and higher levels of software integration that require higher performance. The S32Z and S32E processors can accelerate up to 24 CAN 2.0 and CAN FD interfaces, providing a significant advantage in processing large amounts of CAN traffic deterministically and efficiently without interrupting the processor core.

Extending memory with LPDDR4 DRAM and Flash memory also supports larger applications and future important data, including support for machine learning and the AUTOSAR® adaptive platform for automotive services and data sharing. These advantages can be used for new designs using standalone S32Z and S32E processors, or for enhancing the performance of existing ECUs using traditional automotive MCUs. S32Z and S32E processors support both scalability for new products and enhancement of performance for older products.

In summary, NXP's versatile S32Z and S32E processors meet the key needs of integrating various real-time automotive applications in new vehicle architectures. They support key processing requirements to meet "real-time" needs, can safely isolate multiple applications, and provide acceleration and expansion capabilities to simplify today's software development needs, and have developed a strong software-compatible device roadmap to cope with possible future needs. They are ideal extensions of the S32 automotive platform to create a variety of solutions for future software-defined cars.

Won the 2022 International Embedded Conference Innovation Hardware Award

The S32Z and S32E real-time processors are widely recognized by the industry as innovative hardware solutions and won the 2022 Embedded World Innovation Hardware Award.

author:

Brian Carlson

Connectivity and Security Product Manager, NXP

Brian Carlson focuses on secure automotive network processors for automotive gateways and domain controllers. He has over 30 years of experience in driving leading computing and communications products, and has held positions in product development, technical marketing, product management, and business development. He served as Vice Chairman of the MIPI Alliance Board of Directors, leading mobile charging devices into related markets such as automotive and the Internet of Things. Brian holds a Master of Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University.