NXP introduces new automotive UWB chip and vehicle-scale deep learning toolkit

     NXP announced a further expansion of its UWB portfolio with the introduction of a new automotive UWB chip. NXP UWB technology provides precise, secure, real-time location capabilities that are unmatched by other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The technology is designed to give UWB-equipped cars, phones and other smart devices spatial awareness, allowing the car to pinpoint the user's location, making smartphones the same convenience as the most advanced remote keys for the first time. Users will be able to open the door and start the car without having to take their phone out of their pocket or bag, or safely park it remotely from their smartphone. The new UWB integrated circuit also provides maximum protection against car theft through relay attacks.

     With the launch of the chip, NXP, BMW Group, Continental and others are collaborating in the Connected Vehicle Alliance (CCC) and IEEE on UWB deployments to ensure the best customer experience at the intersection of vehicles, mobile devices and consumer devices. All of the standardization efforts are aimed at achieving global standards for hands-free smart access control and other UWB based automotive positioning use cases.

     Dr Olaf Muller, Head of Digital Access function Development at BMW Group, said: "Smartphones are at the heart of today's digital lifestyle. We are convinced that portable smartphone-based access control is the beginning of a series of innovative automotive UWB use cases."

     Philippe Fournet-Fayat, Head of Automotive access Systems at Continental, said: "Continental is at the forefront of providing a secure location platform, and these innovations will help meet the application needs of the power user generation. Making these new use cases a reality, such as smartphone access control and remote parking, requires UWB's ultra-precise real-time location capabilities."

     Markus Staeblein, vice president and general manager of Secure Car Access at NXP, said: "There is a huge opportunity in mobile technology and automotive. As a leading semiconductor manufacturer in these market segments, we hope to seize the opportunity to bring a better seamless and secure mobile experience to our users." We are very pleased to be working with the BMW Group, Continental and other Connected Vehicle Alliance members on the interoperability and standardization needed for UWB."

     The NXP NCJ29D5 is a next-generation UWB integrated circuit designed specifically for the needs of the global automotive industry. Combined with NXP connectivity and security solutions such as Bluetooth (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC) and Secure Elements (SE), the technology provides truly secure, hands-free smart access control capabilities that support the standardization of automotive connectivity.