Artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks are becoming a key factor in developing safer, smart, and eco-friendly cars. In order to support AI-driven solutions with its future automotive microcontrollers, Infineon Technologies AG has started a collaboration with Synopsys. Next-generation AURIX microcontrollers from Infineon will integrate a new high-performance AI accelerator called Parallel Processing Unit (PPU) that will employ Synopsys’ DesignWare ARC EV Processor IP.
AI and neural networks are fundamental building blocks for future automated driving applications, such as object classification, target tracking, or path planning. Furthermore, they play an important role in optimizing many other automotive applications, helping to reduce the cost of ECU systems, improving their performance, and accelerating time-to-market. For example, they enable an optimized engine auto-calibration and reduce the number of sensors by producing accurate mathematical models of the physical reactions occurring in a system. At the same time, however, AI applications require much higher computing power than standard algorithms.
The EV Processor is supported by Synopsys’ MetaWare EV Development Toolkit for Safety, which speeds safety-compliant application software development for automotive designs. The resulting AURIX toolchain will support model-based designs, enabling the latest software design strategies and reducing the increasingly demanding automotive time-to-market.
Furthermore, by supporting convolutional neural networks, the PPU will help pave the way to holistic security systems. It will enable layered security concepts supporting techniques for intrusion detection and prevention systems like deep packet inspections or system entropy monitoring.
