NXP Unveils S32N55 Processor for Vehicle Integration and Control

Apr 23, 2024: NXP Semiconductors has introduced the groundbreaking S32N55 processor, marking the debut of the innovative S32N family of vehicle super-integration processors. As a pivotal component of the recently unveiled S32 CoreRide central compute solution, the S32N55 processor delivers a blend of scalable safe, real-time, and applications processing, catering to the diverse central compute requirements of automakers.

The S32N55 processor boasts unparalleled capabilities in safe, centralized, real-time vehicle control, crucial for demanding high-performance, deterministic compute tasks while ensuring the highest level of functional safety. By leveraging software-defined, hardware-enforced isolation, this processor can accommodate numerous vehicle functions with varying criticality levels, guaranteeing freedom from interference between them.

Traditionally, vehicle functions have been segregated into discrete electronic control units (ECUs), each equipped with its own microcontroller and wiring. However, with the advent of the S32N55 processor, automakers can consolidate vehicle functions into a single processor, breaking through integration barriers and significantly reducing ECU hardware costs.

The super-integration capabilities of the S32N55 processor not only drive cost reduction but also contribute to sustainability efforts by decreasing material usage and reducing weight, ultimately extending driving range. By minimizing the number of ECUs and wiring, automakers can streamline manufacturing complexity and time, leading to more efficient production processes.

Equipped with “core-to-pin” hardware isolation and virtualization technologies, the S32N55 processor enables dynamic resource partitioning to adapt to evolving vehicle function requirements over time. This hardware-enforced isolation facilitates safe consolidation of ECUs, streamlining software development and supporting lifetime enhancements and upgrades. Furthermore, the processor’s Over-the-Air (OTA) upgradeability ensures safe, granular software updates, essential for enhancing self-driving vehicle functionality over time.

Ray Cornyn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Automotive Processors at NXP, emphasized the transformative role of the S32N55 processor as the central brain for real-time vehicle control within the S32 CoreRide platform. With its robust real-time performance, critical hardware-enforced isolation, and advanced vehicle networking capabilities, the S32N55 processor enables enhanced functionality with fewer devices, driving down costs while offering future-proof upgradeability.

The S32N55 processor integrates 16 split-lock Arm Cortex-R52 processor cores, running at 1.2 GHz, for real-time compute. Additionally, two auxiliary pairs of lockstep Cortex-M7 cores support system and communication management. With tightly-coupled integrated memory and 48 MB of system SRAM, the processor ensures fast execution with low-latency accesses.

The S32N55 processor is currently in the sampling phase for lead customers. NXP, along with its extensive partner ecosystem, including the S32 CoreRide software partner network, offers comprehensive board, enablement software, tools, and systems support to accelerate customer designs, ensuring seamless integration and optimized performance.

With the introduction of the S32N55 processor, NXP continues to drive innovation in vehicle integration and control, paving the way for a new era of automotive excellence and efficiency.