Renesas Electronics has introduced its new generation of automotive system-on-chips (SoCs). This launch includes the R-Car X5H, designed to handle multiple automotive functions. The chip integrates Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), and gateway applications into a single unit.
Built with cutting-edge 3-nanometer technology, the R-Car X5H boasts industry-leading integration and performance. This allows car manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers to centralize Electronic Control Units (ECUs). This centralization streamlines development and makes for more future-proof systems.
The R-Car X5H is among the first to provide secure processing solutions on a single chip. This is achieved through its unique hardware-based isolation technology. This is another step towards the development of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).
The R-Car X5H offers the option to expand AI and graphics processing performance via chiplet technology, offering adaptability. As the top performer in the fifth-generation (Gen 5) R-Car Family, this new chip directly addresses the increasing complexities of SDV development. This includes the optimization of computing power, power usage, cost, and hardware and software integration all while ensuring vehicle safety.
The device combines application processing, real-time processing, graphics processing unit (GPU) and AI computing, large display capabilities, and sensor connectivity within a single chip. These devices enable a new class of automated driving, IVI, and gateway applications.
The new SoC series enables AI acceleration of up to 400 TOPS, paired with optimal TOPS/W performance, and GPU processing of up to 4 TFLOPS. It contains 32 Arm Cortex-A720AE CPU cores for application processing, and six Arm Cortex-R52 dual lockstep CPU cores supporting ASIL D capabilities without needing separate microcontrollers (MCUs).
Manufactured using TSMC’s advanced process nodes, the new SoC series offers top-end CPU performance, while using 30-35 percent less power compared to those built on a 5-nm process. These power-saving features reduce system costs by removing the requirement for extra cooling solutions and extend vehicle driving range.
The R-Car Gen 5 SoCs have powerful built-in Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and GPUs. Renesas’ customers can scale up their performance using chiplet extensions. For example, coupling a 400-TOPS on-chip NPU with an external NPU via a chiplet extension allows for a three- to four-fold increase in AI processing.
The R-Car X5H supports the UCle die-to-die interconnect and APIs. This facilitates interoperability with other components in a multi-die system, including those not made by Renesas. This flexible design lets car OEMs and Tier 1s customize their systems across different vehicle platforms.
While performance and features grow, safety remains paramount. The R-Car X5H provides hardware-based Freedom from Interference (FFI) technology, unlike other SoCs that solely rely on software to provide isolation. This hardware secures critical functions, like brake-by-wire, from non-critical functions.
Safety-critical functions can have separate, independent domains with their own CPU cores, memory, and interfaces. QoS management determines workload priorities and resource allocation in real time. The R-Car Gen 5 platform addresses complex challenges, like optimizing hardware, ensuring safety, ensuring flexible architecture, and providing easy software integration.
The R-Car Gen 5 Family helps accelerate SDV development. The R-Car X5H also aligns with TechInsights’ forecast of a 17% CAGR from 2028-2031 for zonal controller and high-performance compute SoC processor markets.
The Fifth-Generation R-Car Platform with Scalability R-Car Gen 5 meets the many processing needs in the industry. It is a unified hardware design based on Arm CPU cores, enabling developers to reuse software, tools, and applications.
Renesas extends its vehicle control portfolio with a new R-Car MCU series, also powered by Arm. A 32-bit series with enhanced security is planned for Q1/2025.
The R-Car Open Access (RoX) SDV platform combines hardware and software to speed up SDV development. RoX integrates hardware, operating systems (OS), and software. It provides OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers the flexibility to design a broad range of compute solutions for ADAS, IVI, gateway, and cross-domain fusion systems.
Renesas will present a live demonstration of the R-Car Gen 5 development environment at electronica 2024 in Munich, Germany.
The R-Car X5H will be sampled for select automotive customers in 1H/2025, with production slated for 2H/2027.
