Automotive MCUs ready for AWS cloud services

NXP Semiconductors extends its support for secure cloud connectivity across the NXP S32 vehicle compute platform by integrating AWS cloud services into its widely adopted S32K3 automotive microcontroller series for body, zone control, and electrification applications. The end-to-end vehicle data solution now spans the automotive processing solutions S32K3, S32Z/E, S32G2 and S32G3, allowing new in-vehicle and secure cloud services. Using FreeRTOS libraries supporting AWS IoT Core, its device with integrated cloud connectivity speeds up the development time for SDVs to securely connect to the cloud and deliver vehicle data-driven insights and services and OTA updates. The software libraries also allow seamless connectivity between it and devices running AWS IoT Greengrass.

Secure cloud connectivity services will fuel a new era of advanced, data-driven automotive experiences and revenue streams. Access to and processing real-time, vehicle-wide data with secure access to cloud services and ML can enable intelligent vehicles that continually improve with over-the-air updates. Automakers can gain insights into vehicle performance and health, driver behaviour, traffic patterns, and more. Similarly, end consumers can benefit from the extended longevity of their vehicles and added features. Mobility businesses can exploit the streamlined cloud connectivity support to innovate and offer new applications quickly. For example, the data collected and analysed can lead to new revenue streams with services such as usage-based insurance.

In 2020, the company announced their work with AWS, which integrated AWS IoT services with its S32G vehicle network processor for service-oriented gateways. The S32 devices' software with AWS cloud solution supports a range of communication technologies and can be utilised with wireless connectivity technologies like 4G/5G cellular and Wi-Fi. Now, these devices can connect directly to AWS cloud services or a more powerful S32G device using AWS cloud services such as AWS IoT Core, AWS IoT Greengrass or AWS IoT FleetWise.

Extending AWS connectivity to the device gives automotive OEMs the flexibility to build AWS cloud connectivity into their vehicles regardless of the vehicle architecture used and supports the vehicle architecture transition. This includes architectures in which the device acts primarily as an end node or zonal controller and supplements an S32G vehicle network processor, as well as configurations with multiple S32K devices without an S32G processor, with at least one S32K3 acting as a gateway to access AWS cloud services.

The combination of the company's S32 vehicle compute platform and AWS cloud connectivity is appropriate for different mobility types. For instance, the direct connection of these devices to the cloud is suitable for smaller vehicles such as electric bicycles and scooters. Here, the devices act as the aggregator or main controller.

The devices are scalable, low-power Arm Cortex-M series-based microcontrollers that are AEC-Q100 qualified with advanced safety, security, and software support for automotive and industrial ASIL B/D applications in body, zone control, and electrification. With a dedicated hardware security engine and A/B swap capability, OTA firmware updates to the S32K3 are secure and protected. The devices are supported by a minimum of 15 years of product longevity and a comprehensive, third-party software and tools ecosystem.