In Telematics applications, the T-Box (Telematics-Box) is the control center of Telematics, responsible for the remote connection control function of vehicles. Arrow Electronics invited T-Box application suppliers in the industry, i.e. NXP Semiconductors (NXP), Vishay and Molex, to discuss the development of T-Box applications and related solutions at the webinar.
Arrow Electronics launches proven Telematics reference design
T-Box penetration rate in the automotive market is growing rapidly, from 28.7% in 2018 to 32.5% in 2019. It is estimated that it will reach 43% in 2020 and 95% in 2025, becoming standard equipment for automobiles. The key factors are intelligence and the income of automobile software and services. In addition, the rise of 5G network will also catalyze the Internet of Vehicles and autonomous driving. 5G+V2X will become next-generation products and information security will become more important.
The Europe adopted the C-V2X standard in September 2019 and the United States passed the C-V2X standard in November 2019. China also adopted C-V2X as the only Telematics communication standard in January 2020, and began to deploy roadside units (RSU) on a small scale throughout the country, small-scale OBU (4G+C-V2X) will be enter trial stage till end 2021. It is estimated that between 2021 and 2025, 4G/5G combined with C-V2X will coexist. In 2025, 5G+V2X will be deployed on a large scale, high-precision positioning and maps will become more important
Internet of Vehicles can be divided into vehicles, roads, and the cloud. At present, Arrow Electronics can already provide reference designs for T-Box, OBU, RSU and Cameras, and will launch a mobile App in early 2021 to overcome 4G(LTE) signal instability.
Arrow Electronics launched T-Box reference designs since 2018, latest T-Box solution combined 4G with C-V2X for OBU (or RSU) in 2020. It is expected to launch the 5G+C-V2X OBU (or RSU) reference design in the second half of 2021. Today, 4G+C-V2X version use NXP i.MX8QX application processor to process the V2X protocol, Quectel AG35 and AG15 communication modules, S32K14X microcontroller manage inter-system message in vehicle, together with Vishay's power protection and super capacitor as the backup power supply, also Molex's connector and antenna to enhance reliability and RF signal strength.
Our 4G+C-V2X OBU (or RSU) assembled by 3 boards, main MCU board, CORE board and Wi-Fi board, main MCU board consist of Quectel AG35 and AG15 communication modules, and related interface, CORE board had processor i.MX8 embedded SDK with V2X protocol, we are offer free and paid license of proven V2X protocol stacks in Wuxi test site, with reliable communication (500-800m), 50ms very short latency, and high precision positioning capability as well as security boot and firmware over-the-air (FOTA) features, Cloud platform and Application software for product evaluation and simulation, to reduce time to market.
NXP provides powerful Telematics processors and microcontrollers
NXP has introduced a series of microprocessors (MPU) and microcontrollers (MCU) for cellular Telematics (C-V2X) applications. The products cover the i.MX family products, mainly the i.MX 8DX family products. Whether upgrading from the old T-Box products or designing T-Box products from scratch, i.MX 8DX is quite a suitable SoC.
i.MX processors mainly include the high-end iMX 8QuadMax, iMX 8QuadPlus, iMX 8DualMax, and the mid-end iMX 8QuadXPlus, iMX 8DualXPlus, iMX 8DualX, as well as the latest low-cost versions of iMX 8DXL and iMX 8SXL.
Compared with the mid-end iMX 8DualX, the high-end iMX 8QuadPlus/iMX 8DualX has four Cortex-A35 cores/two Cortex-A35 cores, 32-bit DRAM DDR3L/LPDDR4, 4K VPU, two AVB-enabled Gigabit Ethernet connections, one USB 3.0 interface and one USB 2.0 interface, while the iMX 8DualX has two Cortex-A35 cores, 16-bit DRAM DDR3L/DDR4L, 1080P VPU, one Gigabit Ethernet connection with one 100-megabit Ethernet connection and two USB 2.0 interfaces.
The newly introduced i.MX 8DXL/SXL omits the DSP core and does not support GPU and VPU, but it is strengthened on Ethernet. It has two gigabit Ethernet cables supporting the AVB/TSN protocol, with improved security performance. Available in a small package, it uses a six-layer board in lieu of an eight-layer board, and the HDI board is also removed to reduce the BOM cost. If customers need USB 3.0, it is suitable to choose the iMX 8QuadPlus/iMX 8DualPlus.
In order to match the i.MX 8DXL/SXL of the new product, NXP has also introduced a compatible power management chip. Previously, it was matched with a PF8100 or PF8101, while the new product was matched with a PF7100 to provide higher power and efficiency, minimize EMC, optimize size, and conform to the ASIL-B application standard.
In addition, NXP has also introduced an S32K MCU with iMX SoC, which supports a variety of models and specifications. Flash memory ranges from 128K to 8MB, SRAM ranges from 16K to 1152K, eDMA can support up to 32 channels, and a variety of supported package specifications and security regulations are available. Compared with the S32K1 series, the S32K3 series is upgraded to an M7 core in efficiency supporting up to four cores, to 320 MHz in frequency, and to 8MB in memory from 2MB. The security function supports not only symmetric encryption but also asymmetric encryption. OTA function also supports A/B swap, firmware rollback, etc. The supported security regulations are upgraded from ASIL B to ASIL B/D. Ethernet also supports TSN and AVB protocols, as well as 8-channel CAN FD, and supports an I3C interface and faster transmission speed. Available in an NXP-specific MaxQFP package, the size is reduced by up to 65% compared with the LQFP package.
Vishay's supercapacitor provides backup power supply for Telematics applications
What is the backup power? When the main power disappears, the system will switch to the backup power to replace the power supply. The backup power for vehicles is usually used to replace the main power when the main battery stops working and provide backup power and handle subsequent work such as storing data or transmitting data to the cloud platform. Whether the backup power can handle such work is especially important.
Taking a T-Box with 12V input and 3.3V output to an NXP S32K144 core chip and AG35 LTE4G chip as an example, when a supercapacitor is used to design the backup power, there are two approaches. One is to directly connect the supercapacitor to 12V. Since the supercapacitor is usually 3V or 2.7V, this approach requires connecting multiple supercapacitors in series to cover all power sources, but in this way, the capacitance value will drop. The other approach is to connect the supercapacitor to a 3.3V core power. Since most systems have stopped operating when an accident occurs, only the core power needs to be supplied, and the capacitance value will be higher, the cost will be lower, and the size will be smaller. The disadvantage is that some of the chips may have to be boosted.
Taking the operation of an LTE system as an example, its highest working voltage is 3V, the lowest is 2.5V, and each discharge is 2A, which takes 500ms. According to the formula, each pulse needs 71.4mV. If seven pulses are needed to complete data transmission, a total of 500mV is required. 3V minus 500mV is just 2.5V, i.e. the lowest working voltage. According to the formula, a supercapacitor with 14F capacitance value is required. Vishay has an online calculator. As long as the above-mentioned relevant parameters are input, you can know how much capacitance value you need to use for your supercapacitor. You can also directly access to the datasheet of the corresponding product for reference.
The supercapacitor also has two circuit designs. The first is to connect the supercapacitor to a 3.3V source in the system, while the second is to connect the supercapacitor in parallel with the battery. In the first method, the supercapacitor can be charged as long as the 3.3V source in the system exists. When the main power disappears, the supercapacitor will take over the discharge until it drops to 2.5V. With a larger capacitance value, when the 3.3V is restored, the supercapacitor can be automatically charged, without too much manual maintenance and with lower support voltage. In the second method, the supercapacitor is connected in parallel with the battery, so more supercapacitors need to be connected in series, resulting in a smaller capacitance value, higher support voltage, larger size, and inrush current to be dealt with.
Vishay mainly offers two series of supercapacitors for V2X applications, namely the 220ED2C and 230EDLC-HV. The 220ED2C has a rated voltage of 2.7V and the 230EDLC-HV has a rated voltage of 3V. The 230EDLC-HV provides rated capacitance values from 8F to 60F, can be used for more than 1000 hours at 85℃, and can be charged and discharged quickly. In addition, the supercapacitors can operate at low temperature through an NTC temperature sensor and thick film resistor heating, and both series support AEC-Q200 automotive standard certification.
Molex offers stable FAKRA connectors for vehicles
For Telematics applications, a stable connector must be adopted to ensure the stable operation of the system. Molex's FAKRA connector is the most suitable solution. For the original German meaning, FAKRA means automobile expert. FAKRA connectors originate from the SMB RF connector interface, and its corresponding name is different from other connectors, e.g. the jack is called the male contact and the plug is called the female contact.
There are mainly four types of signal connectors in automobiles, including coaxial link using FAKRA connectors, optical fiber link, electrical shielded link (such as USB and LVDC), and wireless link (such as antennas). FAKRA is mainly used for the connection of maps and navigation systems, television and video display, digital signal broadcasting, smart phones, key-free entry and start-up, tire pressure detection, steering wheel/seat preheating, distance control, and automatic braking systems.
The traditional FAKRA connections in automobiles use 11 colors and corresponding codes. For example, code C is a blue line, connected to GPS systems, code E is a green line, connected to the TV 1 signal line, and is often used for reversing an image. The new generation of FAKRA connectors adds three codes and colors, namely, code L is carmine red, code M is pastel orange, and code N is pastel green, so that engineers designing car equipment have more choices and these connectors can be used in various new applications.
Molex offers a variety of SMB FAKRA connectors, including some PCB connectors and cable assemblies. Molex has been a long-term partner with first-tier car equipment manufacturers since 2002, and has a vast product database, providing more than 400 active part numbers, and supporting highly customized products, such as four-way FAKRA, two-way FAKRA, waterproof FAKRA (IP-69K), wire assembly, etc, to meet the different design requirements of customers.
Conclusion
Telematics is one of the most potential market applications at present. Arrow Electronics, along with NXP, Vishay, Molex, and other manufacturers provide proven and complete solutions, and will be the best partner interested in entering the Telematics market. Arrow Electronics offers various products and technical services from relevant manufacturers, which will help you quickly seize market opportunities.