NXP introduces software-defined motor control solutions for automotive edge nodes

     NXP Semiconductors announces the S32M2, further expanding the S32 automotive computing platform. Dedicated motor control solutions are optimized to effectively improve the efficiency of automotive applications such as pumps, fans, sunroof and seat positions, seat belt preteners, and backup doors. The S32M2 is based on the S12 MagniV portfolio and combines NXP's motor control technology experience with the software development benefits of the S32 platform.

     This highly integrated system-level package solution adds the power and analog capabilities required for motor control, as well as a rich software library, as an integrated motor control solution for the widely adopted NXP S32K microcontroller. It meets the needs of the emerging software-defined electric vehicle market, enabling automakers to fully optimize product development and maximize software reuse rates implemented in the S32 platform.

     Among the many types of motors, brushless direct current (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous (PMSM) motors are known for their ruggedness, small size, light weight and high efficiency, all of which help electric vehicles achieve energy savings and increase driving range. The S32M2 not only simplifies powerful motor control functions for efficient operation, but also maintains performance margins to integrate more functions and features while optimizing costs. Oems can perform motor diagnostic tests, transmit data to area controllers, optimize for higher performance, further improve efficiency, and reduce audio noise in the final application, thereby improving passenger comfort. Compared to discrete motor control solutions, Oems can use the S32M2 to speed product to market, reduce printed circuit board volume, and reduce design risk and material costs.

     Manuel Alves, senior vice president and general manager of General and Integrated Solutions (GPIS) for NXP's Automotive Microcontroller business, said: "Using NXP's model-based design toolkit, automakers can run Simulink simulations early in the development process and map models to S32M2 hardware, and since this is a pure software-defined approach, automakers can optimize software reuse rates for the S32 automotive computing platform. While benefiting from the feature and performance enhancements of the current S12 MagniV portfolio."

     With the release of the S32M2, NXP's S32 automotive computing platform has steadily expanded, while the large Arm® software ecosystem has also aided product development. NXP and Arm have a close, long-term partnership to develop new technologies, and NXP's new generation of motor control solutions leverage the energy efficiency and safety capabilities of Arm's Cortex™-M processors.

     Dipti Vachani, senior vice president and general manager of Arm's Automotive division, said: "Automotive architecture is undergoing significant changes to meet the software defined vehicle requirements of the future. "With the efficient, low-power technologies of Arm's Cortex-M portfolio and Arm's extensive software ecosystem, NXP's S32M2 products meet safety-critical, real-time response requirements for SDV edge applications, while enabling customers to focus on product differentiation without having to rewrite code."

     Using a SiP package approach, the S32M2 combines advanced computing power with MOSFET gate drivers, a physical layer interface for CAN FD and LIN communication, and a built-in regulator powered directly from the vehicle's 12 V battery to meet a variety of motor control application needs.

     The S32M2 series integrates the Arm Cortex-M4 or Cortex-M7 cores and covers a wide range of memory options from 128KB to 1MB. The S32M2 comes in a 64-pin LQFP package that allows automakers the flexibility to select different memory sizes and is pin-compatible with the same family of products. In addition, the SiP package solution leverages the S32K development process with ISO 26262 ASIL B functional safety certification, the S32 platform's proven security subsystems (CSEc, HSE), and the S32K's comprehensive tool and software ecosystem.