Infineon introduces the new AURIX series of multi-core architecture microcontrollers

Infineon Technologies AG announces the launch of a new family of 32-bit multi-core microcontrollers that meet the various requirements of powertrain and safety applications in the automotive industry. The multi-core architecture of the new AURIX family includes up to three independent 32-bit TriCore processing cores that meet the industry's highest safety standards. In addition, its performance is doubled compared to existing best-in-class devices.

With its outstanding real-time performance and embedded safety and protection features, the AURIX series is the ideal platform for a wide range of automotive applications, such as internal combustion engines, electric and hybrid vehicle controls, transmission control units, chassis, braking systems, electric power steering systems, airbags and advanced driver assistance systems. In addition, AURIX's architecture significantly reduces the development effort of safety systems that meet today's ASIL D standard, the highest level of automotive safety integrity.

Compared with the traditional lock step architecture, the development effort of the security system can be reduced by 30%, thus shortening the product development cycle. In addition, the performance margin of up to 100% creates the conditions for more features and sufficient resource buffers to meet future needs. In addition, to meet future security requirements to better protect automotive applications from theft, fraud or tampering, each AURIX series product has a built-in hardware security module (HSM).

Ensure safety

AURIX multi-core architecture is developed and designed using ISO26262-certified processes to efficiently meet the requirements of ASIL Level D applications. This multi-core architecture uses up to two TriCore cpus in a variety of lock-step architectures, combined with industry-leading security technologies such as a secure internal communication bus and a distributed memory protection system. Innovative packaging technology allows for the integration of software with different security levels (up to ASIL D) from different sources, creating the conditions for seamless integration of multiple applications and operating systems into a single AURIX platform.

Excellent performance

The AURIX multi-core architecture features three parallel TriCore cpus operating at frequencies up to 300MHz and a powerful Universal Timer Module (GTM) that enables world-class real-time performance with low power consumption. Compared to the TC1798, which is manufactured using a 90 nm process, the highest performance automotive microcontroller in the industry to date, the AURIX microcontroller doubles its performance. The power consumption required to achieve this improved performance is only comparable to that of Infineon's existing AUDO MAX microcontroller family.

"The AURIX microcontroller family, with its superior real-time performance and high processing power, meets the increasingly demanding requirements of our next-generation engine platform, which is to achieve higher engine performance with lower carbon emissions." Says Josef Bast, head of powertrain electronics development at Audi AG, based in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Comprehensive protection

Infineon's AURIX family integrates a programmable Hardware security module (HSM) to meet a variety of future security and protection requirements. HSM uses leading-edge hardware-based encryption technology developed by Infineon, the world's leading provider of hardware security technology. This HSM serves as an "embedded chip card" to better protect against intellectual property infringement, fraud, and software piracy.

Flexible extension

The AURIX family includes a wide range of fully modular devices from the ultra-high end to the low end, ensuring long-term design flexibility. The portfolio includes triple-core devices equipped with 8 Megabyte (MB) embedded flash memory (eFlash) at a frequency of 300MHz; Tri-core device with 4MB embedded flash memory and 200MHz frequency; Dual-core device with 2.5MB embedded flash memory and 200MHz frequency; Single-core and single-core lock-step devices with 1.5MB, 1MB and 0.5MB embedded flash memory at 130MHz and 80MHz. Package options for the AURIX series include the BGA-516 package and the tin-ball-compatible BGA-292 package (a subset of I/O), as well as the pin-compatible LQFP-176, LQFP-144, LQFP-100, and LQFP-64 packages.

All AURIX series products are manufactured with 65 nm embedded flash technology to ensure the highest reliability in harsh automotive applications. To ensure a continuous supply of quality products, Infineon has adopted a dual-channel supply model, with factories in both locations using the same certification process and tools.