Automotive chips bring high-end graphics to vehicles

The devices enable state-of-the-art digital instrument clusters and Audio/Video/Navigation (AVN) head units to become more affordable than ever by integrating the complete graphics, video, and audio functionality on-chip to save design costs and simplify assembly.

Accordo 5 devices provide features that have high value for car drivers, including smartphone mirroring that gives access to content such as music and navigation services on the phone safely through the vehicle's own user interface.

The state-of-the-art host processor and high-performance video and graphics engines can present complex information displays, such as simultaneous user-interface plus rear-view camera with navigation and video preview.

There is also video playback for major formats including H.264 and DivX®, 2D and 3D graphics with effects such as blending and overlays, as well as USB connections and SD-Card interfaces.

Less visible to users, but critically important to today's increasingly connected cars, Accordo 5 chips integrate a high-performance microcontroller that secures the interface between the head unit and the main vehicle network. Built-in features of this microcontroller include boot-code authentication, secure interconnect, and high-performance data encryption.

"Replacing conventional dials, switches, and indicator lamps with advanced graphical instrumentation gives drivers more convenient access to information about the vehicle and surroundings, and digital head units can enhance safety and convenience.

By integrating state-of-the-art features in a cost-effective single-chip solution, our Accordo 5 family now enables car makers to deliver such benefits to more customers in more markets than ever before," said Fabio Marchio, Automotive Digital Division General Manager, Automotive & Discrete Group Vice President, STMicroelectronics.