Rather than scattering the different functionalities (driver assistance, infotainment, etc.) on several chips, Qualcomm is launching Snapdragon Ride Flex. A complete platform that relies on the power of a single automotive chip.
As in your Android smartphone, your future 2024-2024 car could also work with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. In any case, this is the ambition of the American processor designer with his Snapdragon Ride Flex. A model derived from the technologies developed for our smartphones (4 nm engraving, CPU and GPU block, ISP, etc.) but adapted to meet the dual challenge of increasing computing power requirements as well as simplifying the way of design automobiles.
Compared to current solutions, the Snapdragon Ride Flex platform stands out in its single-chip approach. Currently, lane correction, autonomous driving and infotainment systems all operate on separate systems (and therefore components). An initial design that is understandable, all systems not having the same need for criticality (real time or not), and redundancy avoiding the cascade of failures.
But this approach, as well as current manufacturing processes, have many limitations. In terms of etching, the selection of “mature” nodes (generally around 28 nm) during manufacture limits the density of transistors, and therefore the computing power. The transition to a state-of-the-art node – but adapted to the criticality of the automotive environment! – such as 4nm should offer a huge power boost.
Combine all functions on a single chip
Then, where Snapdragon Ride Flex slices is by bringing all the skills together on a chip. Because the other side of the coin of the separation of powers has a weight. A financial burden, since not only more components are needed, but above all they must be compatible and their number adds to the complexity of the design of the vehicle. Moreover, complex systems with heterogeneous solutions are more difficult to evolve, because each evolution must be qualified in its environment.
Read also: Qualcomm announces Snapdragon Ride, its self-driving car platform (Jan. 2020).
Against this hardware complexity, Snapdragon Ride Flex presents itself as a lot of computing power backed by a huge software “stack”. In concrete terms, each fundamental function, although executed on the same chip, is isolated from the others – notably by virtualization systems. Even stronger, Qualcomm has developed a complete software architecture from the car chassis to the cloud. Far from being a gimmick, car manufacturers need to have the means to update and develop cars over time using modern network, hardware and software bricks.
While Tesla has a fairly similar approach – cars from Mr. Musk’s company are particularly known for their regular automatic updates – the rest of the industry retains a fairly old-fashioned approach. Involving little or no evolution of functions during the life cycle (especially for solid models).
Smartphone bricks at the service of the car
Known in our columns for being the world number 1 in all-in-one smartphone chips (SoCs), Qualcomm is also a giant in the network and professional embedded platforms. Many manufacturers – notably that of the brands of the Stellantis group which owns Peugeot – use its solutions for interior screens or for the network part.
Read also: Qualcomm just unveiled the flagship processor for high-end smartphones of 2023 (Nov 2022)
Snapdragon Ride Flex is an opportunity for Qualcomm to add “smartphone” bricks to the car. Because its Snapdragon chips integrate all the computing components that are also required in the cars of the future. Whether it’s the central processor (CPU) capable of launching critical programs, the graphics chip (GPU) to display the map in 3D, the 4G/5G modem to ensure the connection of the car. Or the image processor (ISP) in charge of controlling the cameras that contribute (or not) to a certain level of vehicle autonomy.
Read also: Qualcomm unveils Oryon, the heart of its anti-M1 weapon, from Apple (Nov 2022)
Qualcomm released two press releases for this announcement, a fairly mainstream and broad one. And a second, much more complex, which details compliance with ISO standards, the different levels of criticality of programs supported, regulations, standards, etc. Because far from the classic consumer platforms that are smartphones, automotive platforms are huge liners loaded with elements all related, directly or indirectly, to security. A smartphone that crashes is annoying. A unique car processor car that carafes at 120 km/h on the highway is obviously much more serious! It is Qualcomm’s ability to convince of its mastery of this extreme complexity that will determine the adoption (and therefore the success) of the Snapdragon Ride Flex platform. If the manufacturers were quite reluctant a few years ago, the acceleration of the transformation of the old-fashioned automobile towards an all-electric platform covered with electronics (as well as the shortage of semiconductors!), have accelerated a change in mentality.
And while only secondary brands were cited in Qualcomm press releases in the past, we are also witnessing a change in the group’s communications. For the simple year 2022, in addition to Stellantis, major brands such as BMW, Ferrari, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz or Renault have signed contracts with Qualcomm. Who could thus, in addition to your smartphone, propel your car within two or three years!
