NXP unveils S32N55 processor for vehicle control

As the heart of the recently announced S32 CoreRide central compute solution, it offers scalable combinations of safe, real-time and applications processing to address automakers’ diverse central compute needs. The S32N55 processor excels at safe, centralised, real-time vehicle control that demands high-performance, deterministic compute supporting the highest level of functional safety. Through software-defined, hardware-enforced isolation, it can host dozens of vehicle functions with different levels of criticality, while providing freedom from interference between them.

Why it matters: vehicle propulsion, vehicle dynamics, chassis control, body, and other core vehicle functions have been implemented as discrete electronic control units (ECUs), each with their own microcontroller and wiring. Vehicle functions can now be safely consolidated into an S32N55 processor with multiple isolation execution environments to break through SDV integration barriers.

This “super-integration” capability allows automakers to reduce ECU hardware costs significantly. Decreased material and reduced weight also contribute to sustainability and extended driving range. Ultimately, fewer ECUs and significantly less wiring result in lower manufacturing complexity and time for carmakers.

With the S32N55’s “core-to-pin” hardware isolation and virtualisation technologies, its resources can be dynamically partitioned to adapt over time to be used in the optimal way to meet evolving vehicle function needs. Hardware-enforced isolation of vehicle functions enables automakers to safely consolidate ECUs, streamline software development and support lifetime enhancements and upgrades. Vehicle functions can be independently managed, including fault handling and reset. They can receive independent software updates with the S32N55’s safe, granular Over-the-Air (OTA) upgradeability which is a crucial capability for SDVs to enhance their functionality over time.

“The S32N55 processor is the central brain for real-time vehicle control in our new S32 CoreRide platform,” said Ray Cornyn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of automotive processors at NXP. “With a powerful combination of unrivalled real-time performance, critical hardware-enforced isolation, and vehicle networking capabilities, it can deliver more functionality with fewer devices, while reducing costs, and offering upgradeability to help improve and future-proof vehicles.”

More details: the automotive-grade S32N55 processor integrates 16 split-lock Arm Cortex-R52 processor cores running at 1.2GHz for real-time compute. The cores can operate in split or lockstep mode to support different functional safety levels up to ISO 26262 ASIL D. Two auxiliary pairs of lockstep Cortex-M7 cores support system and communication management. Tightly-coupled integrated memory and 48MB of system SRAM enable fast execution with low-latency accesses. A firewalled Hardware Security Engine provides a root of trust for secure boot, security services, and key management.

Memory can be expanded with LPDDR4X/5/5X DRAM, LPDDR4X flash, and NAND/NOR flash interfaces. Functional safety and security requirements are supported with memory error correction and in-line cryptography.

An integrated Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) 2.5Gbit/s Ethernet switch, a CAN hub for efficient, internal routing of 24 CAN FD buses, four CAN XL interfaces, and a PCI Express Gen 4 interface help reduce wiring and system cost.  

The S32N55 is complemented with NXP’s system power management and vehicle networking devices as the S32 CoreRide platform’s central vehicle controller solution to accelerate customer designs. The FS04 safe system power management IC, which was co-architected to support ASIL D functional safety, combined with PF53 scalable core supply for platform design, provides high-efficiency power conversion, supports low power modes and handles power sequencing.

S32N55 availability and enablement

The S32N55 is sampling to lead customers. Enablement by NXP and a strong partner ecosystem, including the S32 CoreRide software partner ecosystem, include comprehensive board, enablement software, tools, and systems support to accelerate customer designs.