NXP launches BlueBox 3.0 development platform for safe automotive high-performance computing

     NXP Semiconductors announced the launch of BlueBox 3.0, a new expanded version of NXP's flagship secure automotive high-performance computing (AHPC) development platform. BlueBox 3.0 is designed for software application development and validation before the chip device is ready, providing a flexible approach to user-defined vehicles, safety level 2+ (L2+) autonomous driving, and evolving automotive architectures that are set to revolutionize the connected car. Heterogeneous acceleration through a combination of centralized compute modules, securely integrated high-performance NXP processors, extended I/O connectivity, and PCIe card extensions based on Kalray MPPA processors; BlueBox 3.0 provides designers with solutions that accelerate system development cycles and time-to-market.

     The focus of automakers has shifted from the challenge of fully autonomous vehicles to the immediate use of computing power to build differentiated vehicles. User-defined cars allow consumers to add new features to today's smart, connected devices. NXP BlueBox 3.0 provides a rich development foundation to help designers address differentiation, safe L2+ autonomous vehicle mass production, and related automotive network architectures.

     Arnaud Van Den Bossche, Global product Marketing Director, eCockpit and ADAS, NXP's automotive processor business, said: "In the evolution of automotive architecture towards functional domain architecture, the ability to meet more complex requirements through user-defined vehicles is an important driver. The domain architecture will provide a server-like approach to automotive high-performance computing. NXP BlueBox 3.0 provides an innovative design foundation for these new automotive network architectures to help achieve faster deployment."

     By leveraging NXP's 16-core Layerscape LX2160A processor, BlueBox 3.0 delivers twice the processing performance of the previous BlueBox. The improved performance, coupled with expanded I/O interfaces, greatly enhances the intelligence and connectivity of the new automotive architecture. In addition, the processing power can be used for millimeter-wave radar, vision and liDAR signal processing for advanced sensor fusion applications, as well as perception, decision prediction and path planning.

     NXP's BlueBox 3.0 platform integrates NXP S32G processors to provide secure automotive networking, reliable security handling, and system-level ASIL D conformance checks. Leveraging its long history in safety, NXP has spearheaded a high-performance computing program for safe vehicles that aims to leverage the combined efforts of a close ecosystem of partners to support system designers. BlueBox is the central processing and connectivity center at the heart of the program.

     NXP and Kalray have worked closely together to introduce the BlueBox 3.0 Software development Environment (SDE) with an integrated Kalray MPPA processor. The partnership provides a common hardware and software platform for creating secure, reliable and scalable AHPC solutions. In addition to Kalray, BlueBox 3.0 will also be supported by strong ecosystem partners that can help engineers achieve rapid development. NXP BlueBox 3.0 partners include: dSPACE, Embotech, Edge Case Research (ECR), eProsima, Green Hills Software (GHS), Intempora, Micron Technology, MicroSys, Real-Time Innovations (RTI) and Teraki are working together to help engineers speed their products to market.