Qualcomm revealed the first details of the new automotive chip “Snapdragon Ride Flex” at CES 2023. The chip designed for cars is intended to break with the classic control device architecture in the vehicle as a central computer. Instead of numerous specialized domain-based controllers, there should only be a few zone controllers including redundancies – with the Snapdragon Ride Flex as the central control point. For this purpose, the chip should have sufficient computing power to run several operating systems at the same time and safely separately from each other.
Qualcomm has not yet revealed any performance data. The company only roughly quantified the AI performance in September 2022. At the time when the Snapdragon Ride Flex was presented, it was said that the smallest expansion stage would achieve a double-digit TOPS value, while the largest would achieve around 2000 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second). The former value should be sufficient for automated driving according to level 2, the latter for levels 4 and 5.
Separation of different operating systems and architectures
However, the chip also offers components for separating security-related tasks from others. This includes a Type 1 hypervisor that serves as a shield between the different operating systems. Qualcomm names Android and QNX as compatible, but also real-time operating systems (RTOS, Real Time Operating System). The latter mainly comes into play when it comes to critical vehicle systems such as assistance systems, airbags, brakes or drive monitoring. If problems occur with the navigation software running under Android while driving, this has no effect on the safe operation of the vehicle.
The Snapdragon Ride Flex should offer enough power for automated driving and entertainment, but also enable the necessary security when running multiple operating systems at the same time.
In addition, the Snapdragon Ride Flex supports AUTOSAR (Automotive Open System Architecture), an open software architecture for control units. Qualcomm considers both variants – AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive AUTOSAR. The latter includes, among other things, resources that are required for automated driving.
With the Snapdragon Ride Flex, Qualcomm supports various operating systems that can run simultaneously and separately. For example, errors in the music streaming app should not lead to any security-related problems.
Overall, Qualcomm distinguishes between three areas: Driver information (Driver Info) such as drive status and speed, assistance systems (ADAS/AD, Advanced Driver Assistance System and Automated Driving) and infotainment (IVI, In-Vehicle Infotainment). In addition, there are the cloud services, which can access data via the modem installed in the vehicle – or transmit such data to the vehicle. This includes, for example, remote access via a smartphone app and management by a fleet manager.
Manufacturers should also be able to use the connection to the cloud to make greater use of the advantages of the “software-based vehicle” (SDV, Software Defined Vehicle). This not only means the over-the-air updates of the infotainment software that are already possible in many models, but also the provision of new functions, fundamental software changes and new business models. This can be the seat heating in the subscription as well as the increase in engine performance at Mercedes.
Qualcomm not only mentions software updates for the infotainment system as part of the software-based car. According to the company, the separation of hardware and software is also an important criterion.
However, the manufacturers should also be able to use vehicle data more quickly for various developments. As an example, Qualcomm cites sensor data that can accelerate machine learning.
First vehicles from 2025
Qualcomm has already started sampling the chip, but production for customers will not start until 2024. However, the first vehicles equipped with the Snapdragon Ride Flex are not expected to come onto the market until 2025. The company has not yet named any specific models or manufacturers. Thanks to the various expansion stages, the chip should be suitable for entry-level vehicles as well as for upper-class and luxury models.
Note: Qualcomm covered the author’s travel expenses to CES.
(pbe)
