NXP’s BlueBox 3.0 addresses user-defined vehicles
At CES, NXP Semiconductors has announced an expanded version of its BlueBox automotive high performance compute (HPC) development platform. It is based on the embedded Layerscape processor which delivers twice the processing performance to meet new vehicle architecture demands, says NXP.
Layerscape LX2160A is a 16-core processor. BlueBox 3.0’s increased performance enhances the intelligence and connectivity targeted for new vehicle architectures. The processing can accommodate radar, vision, and lidar signal paths for advanced sensor fusion applications and provides expansion options for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) acceleration with the Kalray Coolidge massively parallel processor array (MPPA) processors that can be targeted for perception, prediction, pathfinding capabilities and emerging connected services.
BlueBox 3.0 is designed for software application development and validation before silicon device availability. It offers a flexible way to address user-defined vehicles, safety Level 2+ (L2+) automated driving and the evolving vehicle architectures that will revolutionise connected vehicles. The centralised compute module, are combined with NXP processors, expanded I/O connectivity. There are also extensions with Kalray’s MPPA processor-based PCIe cards for heterogeneous acceleration. NXP says that it offers designers a means to accelerate system development cycles and speed time to market.
The BlueBox 3.0 platform integrates the NXP S32G processor to provide secure vehicle networking and reliable safety processing and checking for system-level ASIL D conformance. BlueBox is the central processing and connectivity hub.
It delivers the development foundation for differentiation, safe L2+ volume production, and the associated vehicle networking architectures.
“The evolution of vehicle architectures towards domain and zonal architectures is being driven by the need to address more complex requirements around user defined vehicles,” said Arnaud Van Den Bossche, director, global product marketing for eCockpit and ADAS, NXP automotive processing.
NXP and Kalray deliver a BlueBox 3.0 software development environment (SDE) that integrates the Kalray MPPA processors. The common hardware and software platform has a strong eco-system of partners, continues NXP. Partners include dSpace, Embotech, Edge Case Research (ECR), eProsima, Green Hills Software (GHS), Intempora, Micron Technology, MicroSys, Real-Time Innovations (RTI), and Teraki, to enable engineers to ramp up quickly.
BlueBox 3.0 is available for approved customers. All new orders will be reviewed prior to fulfillment.