Automotive applications are always a big part of NXP’s presence at the
Consumer Electronics Show (CES, Las Vegas, January 6-9) and this year is no
exception. We’re showcasing innovations around the secure connected car that
promise to make driving safer and easier, with smart car access, automotive
NFC, advanced radar, enhanced in-car entertainment, improved in-vehicle
networking and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication.
Smart Car Access and Automotive NFC
Near Field Communication (NFC), the wireless proximity technology that enables
tap-and-go connectivity, is gaining ground in automotive, driven by services
like car sharing, corporate fleet management, Bluetooth and WiFi pairing and
the demand for personalization inside the car. Car access and engine start via
NFC-enabled smartphones, and wireless charging using NFC, are already in
development. Automotive NFC can also connect vehicles and car keys to portable
devices and the infrastructure, opening up the possibility for other services
and functions, like payment and connected displays. Here are the demos related
to smart car access or NFC available at CES:
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One-chip car access with NCF29A1 The NCF29A1 is an
ultra-compact solution that combines Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) with an RF
transmitter for remote control and immobilizer in an HVQFN32 package. Small
enough to enable new designs and form factors, it supports a welcome light
or walk-away locking, with longer range and lower energy consumption.
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Faster development with NCF3340 The NCF3340 is the
first automotive-qualified NFC Controller Interface (NCI)-based NFC
controller. It provides interoperability with other NFC components, so it
saves development time and ultimately allows car OEMs to bring their
NFC-enabled applications to market faster.
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TapKey access app Designed for use with
NFC-enabled smarpthones and smartcards, the access app from TapKey (tapkey.com) lets you use a mobile phone to issue and revoke access, for things like
private car sharing, rentals, fleet management, company cars, gold carts,
amusement-park ride and more.
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Wireless charging with NFC By transferring power
wirelessly from a charging transmitter to a charging receiver, wireless
charging eliminates the need for cords, connectors and electrical plugs.
The receiver is built into the device (like a smartphone), which is then
simply placed on the charging pad that houses the wireless power
transmitter.
Safer driving with radar
Long-range radar, operating in the 77 GHz band, makes it possible to detect the
distance and relative speed of the vehicle in front of you, so the car can
monitor its surroundings and use the braking system or another protection
mechanism to keep you safe. At CES, we will be demoing the first fully
integrated 77 GHz radar front-end IC based on RFCMOS technology. It’s a complete
radar system that, when used in combination with a back-end DSP or MCU, creates
a compact two-chip solution.
Enhanced in-car entertainment
Visitors to CES can interact with our high-end audio solutions, which turn the
car into a mobile concert hall.
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High-end, multi-standard car radio/audio unit This
compact, upscale solution delivers advanced support for audio, AM/FM,
digital radio (DAB, HD, DRM), Data Radio and advanced algorithms like
Ambiance by Arkamys.
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Multichannel audio with BAP3 Our high-performance
BAP3 amplifier family enables a highly scalable, platform approach to
development, supporting 3, 4, or 5 channels with just one IC or from 6 to
10 channels with just two ICs.
Distributed vehicle architecture
In-vehicle networks are moving away from centralized head units, transitioning
to distributed architectures that place components where they’re actually used.
At CES, our demo shows how flexible vehicle partitioning based on Ethernet can
address future OEM requirements for system cost, bandwidth, space, heat and
more. The demo includes an Ethernet network based on Open Alliance BroadR-Reach,
a remote radio tuner module, a remote amplifier module, a Sharkfin communication
hub and options for including an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Secure V2X comunication
NXP’s “secure connected car” technology lets cars communicate wirelessly with
each other and the traffic infrastructure, exchanging data on location, speed and direction. This allows for 360-degree driver awareness, to improve safety by
reducing collisions, warning of potential hazards and avoiding traffic jams. At
CES, we’re highlighting a V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure)
communication system based on NXP’s RoadLINKTM chipset.
RoadLINKTM will be used in Delphi’s V2X communications platform for
cars entering the market in less than two years from now. Furthermore, NXP
RoadLINKTM technology is the solution of choice in more than 60
percent of all test vehicles used in global V2X field trials. Recently, Audi AG
concluded a V2X field test of NXP/Cohda Wireless communications technology under
real traffic conditions and at high speeds. According to Audi AG, RoadLINKTM
delivered excellent results in the reliability of wireless exchange of warnings,
reception performance and communication range.
Get the details
Automotive is an important part of our presence at CES 2015, but it’s just one
of the topics we’re covering. For a complete summary of what else we’re talking
about at CES – including wearables, security, portables and the Internet of
Things – be sure to check out our event site.
