(iTers News) – Freescale Semiconductor and Alps Electric Co. of Japan joined hands together to develop automotive infotainment and telematics solutions based on Freescale’s i.MX 6 series of applications processors, or APs.

Especially, both of the companies will focus on developments of a next generation of advanced driver assistant system, or ADAS, as a growing number of car drivers are looking to a collision avoid alert system, a surround surveillance system, and blind spot detection system.

Under the co-development project, Alps Electric Co.’s market-proven and automotive-qualified connectivity modules will leverage the rich peripheral I/O available on i.MX 6 series APs to provide comprehensive platforms targeting next-generation driver information systems.

With this collaboration, automakers and tier one suppliers of infotainment and telematics systems can access a broad range of ready-to-use, cost-effective connectivity solutions for their next-generation systems using Freescale i.MX 6 series applications processors.

ALPS solutions based on i.MX 6 series silicon, as well as the Freescale SABRE platform for automotive infotainment, are sampling for HD, DAB radio, AM/FM radio and Bluetooth®/WLAN combination modules.

Offerings for 2G/3G/LTE, GNSSTM module and other technologies are planned for the near future.

As automobiles continue to evolve into the ultimate smart mobile device, connectivity options have grown increasingly important.

Consumer demand is also strong for in-vehicle displays that enable safe and convenient access to and control of the content and features of their smartphones, tablets and mobile music players.

Successful next-generation infotainment and telematics systems must go beyond connectivity for commonly used features like AM/FM and Bluetooth to also support onboard network connectivity with WLAN and digital radio (HD/DAB).

Advancing automotive connectivity in this manner presents systems designers with new and unique challenges, which Freescale and ALPS are working to solve. The result is a range of solutions designed to dramatically speed and simplify the development of connected, highly compelling automotive displays.



A longtime leader in automotive silicon, Freescale supplies infotainment and telematics applications processors to six of the top 10 automotive OEMs.

The company’s i.MX 6 series products integrate a rich set of peripheral I/Os and drivers to support numerous operating systems. The Freescale SABRE platform for automotive infotainment based on i.MX 6 processors is planned for availability in November 2012.

ALPS has a proven track record of supplying world-class automotive connectivity solutions to top automotive OEMs worldwide.

Leveraging this expertise, ALPS has developed independent modular connectivity solutions that can be used with Freescale i.MX 6 series silicon and the SABRE platform for automotive infotainment very early in the evaluation process.

ALPS provides systems designers the option of production-level connectivity modules, or an integrated board solution from Freescale and ALPS, which seamlessly integrates hardware design support, driver development and communication stacks.

“Our i.MX 6 series of automotive applications processors provide optimal performance and best-in-class graphics for automotive infotainment and telematics applications,” said David M. Uze, a Freescale vice president and president of Freescale Semiconductor Japan.

“The comprehensive lineup of ALPS connectivity modules enhances the capabilities of our i.MX 6 series products and SABRE platform for automotive infotainment. By collaborating closely with ALPS, our joint customers can leverage advanced design solutions engineered to unleash innovation and compelling new functionalities for end-users.”

Leveraging its heritage of high-frequency circuit and simulation technologies, ALPS has developed the UGKZ2 series automotive Bluetooth/WLAN combination module and extended its proven portfolio of DAB and HD radio tuners, which are combined with Freescale's SABRE platform for automotive infotainment to help customers reduce development cycles and better address market needs.

ALPS is also developing GNSS and LTE modules based on Freescale silicon and plans to release them in the near future.

"In working closely with Freescale Semiconductor, ALPS continues to evolve its connectivity offerings to address the rapidly changing demands of the automotive infotainment market segment," said Yoshitada Amagishi, director and general manager of ALPS’ Engineering Division. "Through our collaboration, we are able to bring a flexible and modular lineup of ready-to-use connectivity solutions to be used in conjunction with Freescale's latest range of i.MX 6 automotive application processors."

For more information on Alps' car infotainment modules, see Products News.

[sws_toggle3 title="Products News ">


  • FM/AM tuner: Samples available now

  • HD radio: Samples available now

  • DAB tuner: Samples available now

  • Bluetooth/WLAN combination module: Samples available now

  • GNSS module: Samples planned for availability in April 2013

  • 2G/3G/LTE module: Samples planned for availability in Q4 2013 [/sws_toggle3]


 
저작권자 © KIPOST(키포스트) 무단전재 및 재배포 금지