Samsung is aiming to drive the next generation of smart-cars with its three new processing chips. 5G connectivity is provided with the Exynos Auto T5123, performance with the Exynos Auto V7 and reliability with the ASIL-B certified power management chip.

According to Samsung, the timing of the new processors’ release couldn’t be more opportune. “Smarter and more connected automotive technologies for enriched in-vehicle experiences… are becoming critical features on the road,” says Jaehong Park, Executive Vice President of System LSI Custom SOC Business at Samsung Electronics.

Mr Park pinpoints the growing demand for improved entertainment, safety and comfort – areas that Samsung’s new processors aim to address: “With an advanced 5G modem, an AI-enhanced multi-core processor and a market-proven PMIC solution, Samsung is transfusing its expertise in mobile solutions into its automotive lineup and is positioned to expand its presence within the field,” said Mr Park.

Exynos Auto T5123: The industry’s first 5G connectivity solution for cars

The Exynos Auto T5123 is a 3GPP Release 15 telematics control unit designed to deliver speedy 5G connectivity in both standalone and non-standalone mode to the next generation of smart cars. It sends essential information to the vehicle in real-time via high-speed download of up to 5.1 gigabits per second. This allows passengers to enjoy high-definition content streaming and video calls while on the go, the company says.

But to do so efficiently, the chip has to process large amounts of data transmitted and received through the 5G modem. The Exynos Auto T5123 achieves this through a high speed PCIe (PCI Express) interface and a low-power high-performance LPDDR4x mobile DRAM. The unit also comes with two Cortex-A55 CPU cores and a built-in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), minimising the use of external chips and helping reduce product development time. The processor is already in mass production, with Samsung saying its presence on the market will likely change how 5G is integrated in automobiles.

Exynos Auto V7: A powerful processor for in-vehicle entertainment systems

The newest addition to Samsung’s car processors, the Exynos Auto V7 provides powerful processing performance in in-vehicle infotainment systems. The V7 achieves this through its eight 1.5-GHz Arm Cortex-A76 CPU cores and 11 Arm Mali G76 GPU cores. The GPU comes in two separate groups, which allows the GPU to support multiple systems at the same time, making operations safer as it stops one domain from interfering with another.

The chip is also equipped with an NPU that can process visual and audio data for face, speech or gesture recognition features. It supports up to four displays and 12 camera inputs that give information to help a car’s driver, making their experience safer and more enjoyable. The V7’s imaging system provides bad pixel correction, dynamic range compression and geometric distortion correction. That means noiseless and distortion-free images for features like surround view and parking assistance.

And in terms of immersive in-car entertainment, the chip comes with three Hi-Fi 4 audio processors that the company says deliver “excellent audio quality for songs, movies and even games on the go.” To run all these features smoothly, the V7 has up to 32 gigabytes of LPDDR4x memory capacity. Providing strong data protection through an isolated security processor for crypto operation, the V7 is currently in mass production and is being used by Volkswagen to power the manufacturer’s next-generation in-vehicle infotainment system.

S2VPS01: An ASIL-B Certified Power Management IC

Specifically designed and developed for the Exynos Auto V9 and V7, the S2VPS01 essentially regulates and corrects the flow of electrical power, meaning a reliable and robust in-vehicle infotainment system performance. It is Samsung’s first automotive solution produced under the ISO 26262 functional safety process certification. It has also achieved an ASIL-B certification. The company explains that such compliance is becoming a key requirement, not only to ensure the safety of vehicle systems, but also for automotive OEMs and their Tier 1 suppliers when selecting partners and solutions.

The processor consists of what Samsung describes as a “highly efficient” triple/dual-phase buck converters, and integrates a low-dropout regulator and real-time clock within the package. For protection from harsh thermal and electrical conditions, the power chip comes with various protection functions including over voltage protection, under voltage protection, short circuit protection, over current protection, thermal shut down, clock monitoring and “output stuck” checks.

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