Functional safety is a key design consideration for automotive systems, especially for safety-critical functions like braking, steering and an array of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter safety standards for autonomous vehicles (AVs) and ADAS technologies to mitigate risks and potential system failures throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. This trend also requires the use of functional safety principles throughout the development process, including the design and manufacturing of semiconductors.
Adhering to functional safety goals and standards also enhances the safe, reliable operation of automotive human-machine interfaces (HMI) including high-end digital cockpits, instrument clusters and telematics. Today's integrated digital cockpit is evolving to include multiple displays powered by a single domain controller handling instrument cluster, infotainment, connectivity, heads-up displays (HUD) and driver monitoring functions.
The domain controller consolidates electronic control units (ECUs), providing higher CPU and GPU computing power to improve the overall driver experience while enhancing safety. This integrated approach reduces system cost and simplifies over-the-air (OTA) software updates, while minimizing weight and power consumption, which are increasingly important design factors for electric vehicles.
Multi-display HMI environments in vehicles can support digital voice assistants, instrument clusters, infotainment, cloud connectivity, advanced security and telematics. Whether you're finding the nearest coffee shop or following the best route to your final destination, the latest digital cockpit designs based on domain controllers can help ensure safe and efficient vehicle control and navigation. Domain controllers also enable a best-in-class digital experience for commercial vehicles, enhancing, for example, smart electronic mirrors for tractor-trailers, buses and other long vehicles.
Choosing the Right Applications Processor Platform for Functional Safety Compliance
NXP can help automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers achieve functional safety compliance in their automotive HMI designs with ready-to-deploy i.MX 95
applications processors targeting domain controller applications. NXP's recently announced i.MX 95 applications processor family builds on automotive safety guidelines from the ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 functional safety standards.
Specifically, the i.MX 95 processors target Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) D systematic and ASIL B random architectural metrics as defined by ISO 26262:2018 and Systematic Capability (SC)-3, as well as Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL 2) random architectural metrics defined by IEC 61508:2010. To foster trust and ease of adoption in use cases requiring functional safety, i.MX 95 is planned to undergo ISO 26262 compliance certification by TÜV SÜD, a trusted, independent certification body that sets minimum standards for structural and electrical product safety.
To help developers achieve functional safety goals, the i.MX 95 family features a real-time safety domain designed to operate independently from the rest of the processor. This safety domain capability enables safety-critical operations to be executed reliably and predictably in isolation to Quality Managed (QM) applications, even in demanding automotive environments where safety is paramount. By integrating a safety domain architecture, i.MX 95 processors provide a robust and reliable foundation for building advanced automotive HMI platforms with enhanced safety features.
Digital cockpits and instrument clusters based on i.MX 95 processors serving as domain controllers can help ensure safety-critical features by displaying and playing alerts and warnings to signal anomalies to the driver. These warnings and in-cabin audio alerts meet the high reliability and safety standards set by automotive OEMs.
Vision Zero begins with designing safer cars. Explore the wide range of automotive safety features provided by NXP's i.MX 95 processor.
Putting Customers First with System-to-Silicon Design
NXP's system-to-silicon approach unlocks the potential for customers to develop their own innovative functional safety solutions using i.MX processors. This customer-friendly approach focuses on integrating system-level considerations into every stage of the semiconductor design process, beginning with a deep understanding of customer needs and end-application requirements. By embracing a system-to-silicon design approach, NXP delivers semiconductor solutions that not only meet immediate customer needs but also provide scalability, flexibility and future-proofing to support evolving market demands and emerging technologies.
System-to-silicon design maximizes the value of i.MX processor by reducing hardware and software cost and complexity while enhancing the key functional safety features of the Safety Element out of Context (SEooC) concepts used in i.MX development. This design approach also has enabled NXP to develop its built-in safety island architecture with the right set of safety-relevant intellectual property to meet new and emerging system-level functional safety use cases.
i.MX Supported Automotive Functional Safety Use Cases
The combination of NXP i.MX 95 processors and power management ICs (PMICs) provides a versatile platform for a wide range of automotive safety systems that leverage SEooC development concepts:
- Digital cockpits, instrument clusters and HUD
- Driver monitoring system (DMS)
- In-cabin audio alerts
- Rearview cameras
- Electronic mirrors
- Telematics and connectivity
- Other customized safety solutions
Customized safety solutions with NXP's i.MX processors
NXP provides comprehensive safety software that helps customers establish the functional safety foundations of their automotive applications. NXP's safety software libraries enable base software safety compliance with the ASIL B certified Safety Software Framework (SAF), System Manager (SysMan) and Structural Core self-test (SCST). As a part of the SafeAssure program, NXP also offers a wide range of safety application enablements on a service basis, including safe microcontroller abstraction layer (MCAL) and real-time drivers (RTD).
NXP's safety software libraries are targeted to be certified by TÜV SÜD for compliance with the following functional safety standards:
- ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D
- IEC 61508:2010 SIL 3
- Support of hardware metrics for ASIL B/SIL 2
NXP: Your Functional Safety Partner
NXP is a leading provider of semiconductor solutions for safety-critical automotive applications. Customers worldwide rely on our automotive expertise, comprehensive product portfolio, commitment to functional safety and compliance with industry standards. NXP's semiconductor products and processes adhere to ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 functional safety standards. NXP also invests considerable R&D to advance the safety features of its products and software to remain in the fast lane on emerging safety standards and regulations.
NXP provides comprehensive support programs and services to help customers implement automotive functional safety solutions. A prime example is NXP's SafeAssure program, which simplifies system-level functional safety requirements to help customers build ISO 26262 standardization, sustainability and compliance into their designs. The program connects customers with NXP experts who share deep automotive safety knowledge, product development resources and alliances with key industry partners.
NXP also collaborates with leading automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and industry consortia to develop and deploy state-of-the-art functional safety solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that NXP's automotive products and solutions are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the auto industry.
By adhering to the latest functional safety standards, NXP is contributing to advances in automotive HMI, ADAS, electrification, chassis control, powertrain, body electronics and other applications that are shaping the future of automotive safety.
Join NXP in the Functional Safety Journey
At NXP, we believe that functional safety must be considered from the start of every automotive system design to achieve optimal protection for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and the environment.
Learn more about NXP's i.MX 95 applications processor family.
Find additional information about NXP's functional safety compliance programs, services and solutions.
