DC-DC buck converters

AL8843Q and AL8862Q automotive-compliant DC-DC buck converters are designed for driving single LEDs and multiple LED strings, including daytime running lights (DRL), fog lights, turn lights, and brake/stop lights.

The converters can withstand severe voltage variations, such as load dumps during low-cranking or stop-start operation, without suffering corresponding degradation in the LED drive current.

Diodes Inc. https://www.diodes.com

Real-time 3D rendering partnership

Image rendering developer Unity Technologies is collaborating with NXP Semiconductors to develop a human machine interface (HMI) toolchain for mass-production vehicles. Operating on NXP’s i.MX 8QuadMax applications processor, the toolchain allows automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to tap into Unity’s real-time 3D rendering technology.

Features will include real-time navigation and advanced visualization for self-driving vehicles to personalized driving features, 3D maps, and access to Unity games.

Unity’s real-time 3D platform can shorten HMI prototyping development and production timelines. The Unity NXP collaboration makes it easier for OEMs to bring their HMI designs to production with NXP chipsets.

NXP Semiconductors https://www.nxp.com

Unity Technologies https://unity3d.com

Speaker-free automotive sound system

Ambeo 3D audio technology excites select vehicle surfaces rather than using speakers to generate in-vehicle audio, reducing space and weight. Integrated into Continental’s Ac2ated Sound system, it achieves 3D sound reproduction that envelops passengers in a detailed, vivid soundscape. In comparison to conventional audio systems, Ac2ated Sound can reduce weight and space up to 90%, making it suited for electric vehicles, where savings are a priority. Traditional audio systems weigh about 88 lb, while Ac2ated systems can be as light as 9 lb.

Inspired by the technology of classical string instruments, which use their wooden body as a resonance chamber, specially developed actuators excite specific surfaces in the vehicle interior.

The audio technology gives vehicle designers and manufacturers more freedom to use an automobile’s interior, as they no longer need to account for large speaker faces. It also eliminates unwanted vibration in A-pillar trim, door trim, roof lining, and rear shelves that can occur with standard speakers.

Continental AG https://www.continental.com

Sennheiser https://en-us.sennheiser.com

Camera module integrated power management

The ISL78083 highly integrated power management IC (PMIC) simplifies power supply design for multiple high-definition camera modules, reducing development cycles, bill of materials cost, and supply chain risks. The automotive camera PMIC accepts direct-from-battery (36V to 42V) or power-over-coax (15V to 18V) supply sources and supports currents up to 750mA per output.

This power level offers ample headroom for existing image sensors up to 7-megapixel and future sensors with higher resolution.

The ISL78083 PMIC allows smaller automotive surround view camera systems, enabling mounting in more vehicle locations without harming style or aerodynamics.

The 4-channel PMIC includes a primary high-voltage synchronous buck regulator, two secondary low-voltage synchronous buck regulators, and a low-dropout voltage regulator.

The ISL78083 also features four overvoltage and four undervoltage monitors, three power-good indicators, and a reset output/fault indicator.

Mass production quantities of the PMIC are available in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-lead step cut quad flat no-lead (SCQFN) wettable flank package.

Renesas Electronics Corp. https://www.renesas.com

Thermal camera machine learning system

FLIR Systems Inc. and ANSYS are collaborating to improve hazard detection capabilities for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles (AVs) using forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera systems. FLIR will integrate a physics-based thermal sensor into ANSYS’ driving simulator to model, test, and validate thermal camera designs within an ultra-realistic virtual world. The solution will reduce original equipment manufacturers’ development time by optimizing thermal camera placement for use with automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection, and future AVs.

Testing in virtual environments complements existing systems available to FLIR customers such as the FLIR automotive development kit featuring a FLIR Boson thermal camera, starter thermal dataset, and regional, city-specific thermal datasets.

Thermal cameras can effectively detect and classify objects in darkness or shadows, sun glare, and inclement weather such as fog.

ANSYS Inc. https://www.ansys.com

FLIR Systems Inc. https://www.flir.com