Software platform connects cars and devices

Automakers are faced with the challenge of satisfying demanding consumer expectations for multi-media and network connectivity, in addition to abiding by very market specific requirements. These challenges are further magnified by the traditionally long product lifecycles of the automobile, including the requirement to support car network infrastructures and standards for several generations.

As software content in the car continues to grow, car makers are looking for a mature, yet flexible solution, to build on vertically in a specific car generation as well as horizontally from generation to generation. The Connected OS solution offers the answer with scalable frameworks in the pre-integrated software platform supporting longer lasting standards for car network communication. In addition, the Connected OS software includes solutions to support the most modern and rapidly evolving features for CE device connectivity within the cabin.

The Connected OS software features a modular, GENIVI-based Linux platform with an enhanced board support package (SuperBSP) and an optimised middleware layer (OPTstack). This software stack delivers key technologies such as Fastboot, Instant-On, and optimised audio/video functionality - necessary for cutting edge automotive applications. The level of optimisation and tight integration in Connected OS delivers the industry’s fastest boot times and extremely high robustness. Supporting the market leading SoCs, the Connected OS solution is developed and maintained on a platform-centric basis for deep integration with System-on-Chip (SoC) specific features, and is customisable to support the unique requirements of OEMs and Tier1s.

Advanced In-Vehicle Networking for IVI & ADAS Mentor Automotive announced the pre-integration of Ethernet Audio/Video Bridging (eAVB) into the Connected OS solution. Most of the in-car data, especially related to safety applications, is required to be transmitted in real time with high quality of service (QoS). The Connected OS product enables these applications through the support for emerging connectivity protocol eAVB to address the stringent requirements of low latency time sensitive applications and reserved data channels. The eAVB stack in the Connected OS solution is developed to IEEE AVB standards and is AVnu Alliance compliant. Supported IEEE implementations include IEEE 802.1AS, 802.1Qat, 802.1Qav, 1722.1 and 1733.

“The automotive industry is shifting at a dramatic pace. We offer our customers the ability to focus on innovative applications and user experience, while building on a rock solid software base already including automotive specific standards and solutions. Connected OS is designed to be quickly integrated into the car network while keeping up with all the new CE device trends,” stated Rainer Oder, general manager, Mentor Automotive.