Infineon Technologies Enables Infotainment Functionality In The Car; Samples Of 32-bit Telematics Controller Available
Munich, Germany September 27, 2001 Infineon Technologies (DAX/NYSE: IFX), a leading manufacturer of semiconductors for automotive and communication applications, today announced that samples of its dedicated telematics controller for infotainment applications are available. The microcontroller, designated the TC1920, is based on the 32-bit
TriCore Unified Processor. The TC1920 is the first system-on-chip solution to combine the functionalities of a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), telematics-specific peripherals, and speech processing on a single chip. Its high integration level allows system manufacturers to develop cost-effective automotive infotainment applications, such as navigation platforms and internet radios, as well as emergency assistance and multimedia systems.
Based on Infineons 32-bit TriCore Unified Processor architecture, the TC1920 combines RISC, CISC and DSP functionality in one core. Telematics system designs with the Infineon TC1920 microcontroller may eliminate one or all of four separate components - a 32-bit microcontroller, digital signal processor, audio CODEC and CAN controller - allowing significant cost reduction at the system level.
Additionally, the TC1920 offers all standard interfaces necessary for infotainment applications. Its TwinCAN and J1850 interfaces link the infotainment system to the vehicle network. Other interfaces, such as SSC/SPI, I2C, I2S, IrDA and UARTs, enable connectivity to a wide variety of wireless solutions including GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth, and GPS, and consumer appliances such as PDAs and CDs/DVDs. Additionally, the integrated 14-bit two-channel high-performance audio CODEC enables on-chip speech recognition and synthesis without the need of additional components.
Infineon has formed strategic relationships with leading software providers to optimize their products for infotainment applications using the TriCore architecture. Infineons relationship with Mecel (Sweden) extends its capability to provide automotive systems OEM customers with Bluetooth short-range communication system solutions for infotainment applications. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is jointly offered together with Trimble (California). Companies such as Lernout & Hauspie, Fonix and Sensory offer the required speech processing software.
The TC1920 is manufactured in the 0.18-micron process technology. Samples are available in plastic ball grid array (P-BGA) with 256 pins. In quantities of 100,000 pieces, the TC1920 is priced under $20 (US) per unit.
The TriCore Unified Processor architecture, which is well suited for applications that previously required separate MCU and DSP components, has been implemented in processors for automotive engine controls, industrial computer control and telecommunications. In 2000, Infineon introduced the TriCore-based TC1775 microcontroller specifically designed for engine control applications. The high performance of the TriCore Unified Processor architecture is based on its use of a single instruction set to execute both control and DSP tasks on a single processing engine. Independent benchmarks compared the architecture both to stand-alone microcontroller and DSP devices. It was demonstrated that the architecture delivers superior performance in DSP tasks, while achieving the memory usage and code size advantages of best-in-class MCUs.
Infineon provides a broad range of electronics components and system software to enable infotainment solutions meeting the requirements of the automotive industry. With historic strengths in automotive control, wired and wireless communications, and high-level system-on-chip integration Infineon has the technical expertise to provide highly integrated, innovative and low-cost turnkey solutions for infotainment systems. Infineon sees itself well-positioned to significantly shape this emerging market. Today, leading vehicle manufacturers are working closely with Infineon to incorporate infotainment technologies such as Bluetooth, GPS, and application-specific system-on-chip solutions to introduce safety, security, information and entertainment to vehicles via wireless telecommunications networks.
Further information on the TriCore architecture is available at www.infineon.com/tricore Further information on Infineons infotainment activities is available at www.drivinginnovations.com
Based on Infineons 32-bit TriCore Unified Processor architecture, the TC1920 combines RISC, CISC and DSP functionality in one core. Telematics system designs with the Infineon TC1920 microcontroller may eliminate one or all of four separate components - a 32-bit microcontroller, digital signal processor, audio CODEC and CAN controller - allowing significant cost reduction at the system level.
Additionally, the TC1920 offers all standard interfaces necessary for infotainment applications. Its TwinCAN and J1850 interfaces link the infotainment system to the vehicle network. Other interfaces, such as SSC/SPI, I2C, I2S, IrDA and UARTs, enable connectivity to a wide variety of wireless solutions including GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth, and GPS, and consumer appliances such as PDAs and CDs/DVDs. Additionally, the integrated 14-bit two-channel high-performance audio CODEC enables on-chip speech recognition and synthesis without the need of additional components.
Infineon has formed strategic relationships with leading software providers to optimize their products for infotainment applications using the TriCore architecture. Infineons relationship with Mecel (Sweden) extends its capability to provide automotive systems OEM customers with Bluetooth short-range communication system solutions for infotainment applications. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is jointly offered together with Trimble (California). Companies such as Lernout & Hauspie, Fonix and Sensory offer the required speech processing software.
Availability, Package, Pricing
The TC1920 is manufactured in the 0.18-micron process technology. Samples are available in plastic ball grid array (P-BGA) with 256 pins. In quantities of 100,000 pieces, the TC1920 is priced under $20 (US) per unit.
About the TriCore architecture
The TriCore Unified Processor architecture, which is well suited for applications that previously required separate MCU and DSP components, has been implemented in processors for automotive engine controls, industrial computer control and telecommunications. In 2000, Infineon introduced the TriCore-based TC1775 microcontroller specifically designed for engine control applications. The high performance of the TriCore Unified Processor architecture is based on its use of a single instruction set to execute both control and DSP tasks on a single processing engine. Independent benchmarks compared the architecture both to stand-alone microcontroller and DSP devices. It was demonstrated that the architecture delivers superior performance in DSP tasks, while achieving the memory usage and code size advantages of best-in-class MCUs.
About Infineons Infotainment Solutions
Infineon provides a broad range of electronics components and system software to enable infotainment solutions meeting the requirements of the automotive industry. With historic strengths in automotive control, wired and wireless communications, and high-level system-on-chip integration Infineon has the technical expertise to provide highly integrated, innovative and low-cost turnkey solutions for infotainment systems. Infineon sees itself well-positioned to significantly shape this emerging market. Today, leading vehicle manufacturers are working closely with Infineon to incorporate infotainment technologies such as Bluetooth, GPS, and application-specific system-on-chip solutions to introduce safety, security, information and entertainment to vehicles via wireless telecommunications networks.
Further information on the TriCore architecture is available at www.infineon.com/tricore Further information on Infineons infotainment activities is available at www.drivinginnovations.com
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smartcards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2000 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 7.28 billion with about 29,000 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at www.infineon.com
Information Number
INFAI200109.121e
Press Photos
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Based on the 32-bit TriCore(tm) Unified Processor, Infineon's TC1920 is a dedicated automotive infotainment controller combining the functionalities of controllers, digital signal processors, telematics-specific peripherals, and speech recognition on a single chip.Press PictureJPG | 691 kb | 1535 x 1063 px
