HighTec extends its development platform

HighTec EDV-Systeme is announcing that its Eclipse-based multi-architecture and multicore compiler suite now provides automotive software developers with the latest code optimisation technologies for Stellar SR6x-based designs. HighTec’s compiler suite has long provided this capability for the SPC5x 32-bit microcontroller family from STMicroelectronics.

The HighTec C/C++ compiler and its standard libraries are qualified according to the highest safety level ISO 26262 ASIL D. The associated qualification packages accelerate the development of safe automotive applications and pave the way for the software-defined vehicle. Specifically, for the Stellar SR6x family, HighTec will also offer its certified microkernel real-time operating system PXROS-HR, for the highest level of data protection, functional safety, and robustness for automotive applications.

Designed from the ground up for function integration and real-time performance, ST's Stellar SR6x family of 32-bit microcontrollers includes multiple series to address a wide range of automotive applications. These include zone and domain controllers that simplify in-vehicle wiring to support the transition to software-defined platforms, as well as central gateways, body integration controllers, drivetrain and motion control processors, and electric vehicle battery management. Stellar SR6x MCUs are based on as many as six Arm Cortex-R52 cores with lockstep and split/lock capability, ensuring performance, real time processing, and freedom from interference while running multiple applications in parallel.

Stellar 32-bit Automotive MCUs embed a fully EVITA-compliant, ISO 21434-compliant hardware security module (HSM) ensuring state-of-the-art cybersecurity protection and meet the requirements of security levels up to ASIL D, according to ISO 26262. The MCUs also include a hypervisor to enable the management of multiple virtual machines with freedom from interference. For over-the-air software updates, a unique memory architecture enables the duplication of the NVM (non-volatile memory) to eliminate downtime and the need to allocate extra memory.

The HighTec C/C++ compiler is based on the modern and innovative open-source technology LLVM. Through continuous optimisation for different embedded architectures Arm Cortex-A, Cortex-R and Cortex-M as well as Power Architecture, all applications benefit from a compact high-performance code generated by HighTec’s compiler suite.

In addition to the compiler and the real-time operating system, automotive developers can obtain other ST automotive software components from HighTec. These include MCAL, components for safety development such as CST (CoreSelfTest), IST (InstructionSelfTest), and an MCAL Qualification Package for ISO 26262-compliant software development, as well as other security components such as HSM.

As an authorised ST partner, HighTec also offers first-level support. The support team provides full development and consulting services regarding performance optimisation, functional safety, porting from single core to multicore systems, and in AUTOSAR environments.