Renesas’ Cockpit Reference Design is Based on its R-Car SoC

Renesas Electronics developed a reference solution for digital cockpit applications that’s based on the R-Car M3 system-on-chip (SoC). The Renesas Cockpit Reference Solution employs module-level hardware and software delivered as a mixture of free and open-source software (FOSS), the company’s software, and third-party software from members of Renesas’ automotive partner network. OEMs and production partners can modify, change, and distribute the Renesas code to best fit their application design needs.

Electronicdesign Com Sites Electronicdesign com Files Fig 1 Cockpit Reference Solution Ecu

1. Shown is the Renesas cockpit reference design electronic control unit (ECU).

The R-Car Cockpit ECU reference design (Fig. 1) can provide a shortcut for several time-consuming challenges, such as high-speed LPDDR4 layout, peripheral layout, design optimization, and functionality testing.

Hardware deliverables include:

ECU
PCB schematic
PCB layout
HW parts library
Board bring-up procedure and SW test utility
High-speed memory simulation assets
Mechanical enclosure CAD model

Delivered as source code, the software package enables users to jump-start application designs without existing cockpit solutions or collateral required (Fig. 2). The software package includes:

Board support package (BSP) and drivers
Virtualization with GHS Integrity safety content and auto-grade Linux IVI content
Multiple display outputs (up to 3x)
A flexible UI with Qt
Multimedia support of audio/video playback
Mapbox Auto Navigation support
A Bluetooth stack
System settings and user profile support
Connectivity interfaces: Automotive Ethernet, CAN/CAN FD
Telematics interfaces: Wi-Fi, BT, LTE
Camera integration supporting surround view and backup cameras

Electronicdesign Com Sites Electronicdesign com Files Fig 2 Cockpit Ecu

2. The block diagram breaks down the R-Car Cockpit ECU software.

The package also includes an operating system (OS), virtualization example, middleware, and a full application layer.

“The automotive integrated cockpit is a challenging space because the integration of so many different cockpit functions, such as multiple operating systems, a rich UI, Bluetooth, and navigation, requires significant system-level insight,” said Daniel Sisco, Senior Director of Automotive Systems, Renesas Electronics.

The Renesas Cockpit Reference Solution is available now. Going forward, the company says it will continue to update and expand the solution with new software features.