Consumer Devices

Microcontroller

Electronic systems in an automobile are generally controlled by a central processor, known as the microcontroller , which acts as the CPU for the entire system. All electrical devices, equipment, and peripherals in the vehicle are mapped to the application processor, either directly or through an intermediate device. The microcontroller can thus be thought of as both "heart" and "brain" of the system. Automotive systems require embedded processors (as opposed to general-purpose processors used as CPUs in traditional computers) with specially designed architectures that provide the required performance with minimum delays. The ARM architecture is the most widely deployed and adopted platform of this type in use around the world.

Samsung is the first choice for designers of automotive electronic systems when it comes to selecting an application processor. Samsung's extensive line-up of high-performance microcontroller , based on the industry-standard ARM platform, has been specifically designed for deployment on the latest generation automobiles. The complete range of advanced, low power microcontroller from Samsung include latest features for exceptional performance, backed by a comprehensive suite of software development and support tools.

Samsung microcontroller are the industry's top SoCs and include the maximum number of features integrated on the silicon, resulting in the minimum number of additional external components required to bring-up the design, reducing the time-to-market for the product. Some of the principal advantages of using Samsung microcontroller in automotive electronics include:

Samsung application processors are the industry`s top SoCs and include the maximum number of features integrated on the silicon, resulting in the minimum number of additional external components required to bring-up the design, reducing the time-to-market for the product. Some of the principal advantages of using Samsung application processors in automotive electronics include:

• Highly optimized ARM-based cores:

  Samsung microcontroller are designed around the industry-standard ARM platform, which is the benchmark for efficient and real-time computing and communication devices.

• Support for multiple memory types:

  Samsung microcontroller support all major types of memory from the current generation, such as mDDR (mobile DDR) and LPDDR (Low Power DDR), as well as newer memory technologies, such as moviNAND.

• Integrated, on-chip peripherals:

  Samsung microcontroller include an array of several standard peripherals on the chip, eliminating the need for external interfaces, saving design costs and time. Examples of integrated peripherals for an automotive system include a 24-bit true color LCD controller, AC-97 audio codec, and USB 2.0 OTG controller.
  Extensive software support: Samsung microcontroller include a comprehensive suite of software solutions, such as Board Support Packages (BSPs), reducing software and firmware development costs and time for the final product. Furthermore, these packages also make it easy to port applications developed for one family of Samsung processors (such as those based on the ARM 9 series) to another family (such as the ARM Cortex A9 series processors).

Consumer DRAM

Samsung's range of SDRAM, DDR DRAM, DDR2 DRAM, and DDR3 DRAM is the industry-benchmark for today's consumer and industrial electronic devices, including automotive electronic systems. Samsung is the preferred supplier in these segments for a majority of automobile manufacturers worldwide. Apart from a wide range of DRAM solutions for consumer applications, Samsung also has an extensive offering of DRAM for industrial solutions with much wider operating temperature ranges and low power data support.

Mobile DRAM

Mobile DRAM, also known as Low Power DDR (LPDDR) RAM, is a version of the standard DRAM memory redesigned specifically for use in mobile, battery-powered devices, such as automobiles, with the primary objective of reducing power consumption and extending the device's battery life. LPDDR2 and LPDDR3 are advanced revisions of the original LPDDR (LPDDR1) standard. Samsung's LPDDR memory promises to deliver up to four times the performance of conventional memory interfaces, and it has been designed specifically for higher performances at lower power consumptions with physically small form-factors.

MCP

MCP, or multi-chip package, is not a type of memory, but rather a form of packaging memory chips to reduce the area they occupy, and increase their available densities (per chip). An embedded device, such as an automotive system, may use a combination of several memory types, such as NAND flash, mobile SDRAM, and mobile DDR SDRAM. MCP introduces the concept of unifying multiple types of memory chips onto a single substrate, enabling the rest of the device modules to view the memory subsection as a single, unified block. Within the substrate, the memory devices may be connected using a variety of techniques, such as die-to-die bonding or die-to-frame bonding. This technique significantly improves the performance of the device's memory subsection, and reduces the board space used due to the integration of multiple chips onto a single substrate. Samsung has a vast portfolio of MCP products for a variety of solutions, including automobiles.

eMMC

The eMMC standard describes an architecture that consists of three components - an embedded storage solution with an MMC interface, a flash memory module, and a controller - all integrated in a single BGA package. eMMC capable embedded memory devices contain not only a data storage element (such as NAND flash memory), but also a controller for the storage element integrated on the same silicon die. This results in several advantages, such as reduced development time and easier integration of the memory block in the overall system. Ultimately, this leads to a much shorter time-to-market for the product. Samsung is one of the main providers of eMMC technology across the world.

Flash card

Flash cards are one of the most dominant forms of flash memory currently in use, and are employed as removable storage media in devices as diverse as laptops, mobile phones, and PMPs. All latest embedded computing and communication devices, including those designed for automobiles, usually provide interfaces to connect flash cards. As shown in Figure 1, in an automobile, this feature is commonly provided by the device's application processor. Flash cards are available in various types, capacities, and form-factors. Samsung is a global leader in flash memory technology and a primary supplier of flash card-based storage solutions to several OEMs worldwide.

Display Driver IC

The current generation high-end and luxury automobiles are equipped with a host of entertainment features, including the most advanced displays (LCD or LED) offering the highest resolutions and contrast ratios. Widescreen display panels are now a standard feature on most luxury cars.

The LCD display is controlled by a dedicated display driver IC (DDI) while receiving the display data from the application processor (see Figure 1). For a rich multimedia experience for the user, it is vital that the performance and quality of the display subsystem remain above a certain minimum threshold at all times.

Samsung has been at the forefront of providing the latest and most advanced DDI solutions to its customers, for applications spanning displays for mobile phones, computer monitors, automobiles, and consumer electronics. Samsung provides DDI solutions for displays of varying resolutions, from basic VGA (640 x 480) to WUXGA (1920 x 1200), and beyond.

Samsung is a leading innovator of LCD and LED display technologies (including the latest touchscreen technologies), and has been providing the most advanced DDI solutions across all segments, for displays of varying resolutions.

Samsung DDI solutions are the de facto standard for display system designers and system integrators across multiple industry segments.

Some of the key benefits of using Samsung DDI solutions in automobiles are listed below:

• A separate and dedicated DDI reduces display-related processing load for the application processor, enhancing the overall performance and response of the vehicle's electronics system.
• A DDI module ensures availability of advanced display controls, such as enhanced contrast correction for the displayed content.
• The DDI module can be programmed to turn the display off after a certain period of user inactivity, extending the battery life in battery-powered devices and appliances, including automotive systems.

CMOS Image Sensor

Cars and trucks are being outfitted increasingly with rear-view and surround-view cameras to help improve safety for both passengers and drivers. Samsung CMOS image sensor (CIS) solutions enable drivers to spot hazards in a variety of extreme lighting conditions, such as bright oncoming headlights on a dark night.

Top performance in varying conditions

There's no telling where drivers might go - or when. That's why Samsung CIS solutions, with wide dynamic range (WDR) technology, enable excellent viewing and reliability in a broad variety of conditions.

Fast frame rates

Capable of 30 frames per second, Samsung image sensors enable product designers to give drivers maximum reaction time to unexpected obstacles.

Accelerated design time

Samsung CIS solutions offer cost-effective, standalone sensors that help reduce time to market while still offering high-end capabilities for product differentiation.

Work with a leader in automotive technology

Samsung CIS solutions offer the high performance and power efficiency that are key design requirements for today's automotive systems. Our industry-leading process technology delivers small pixels and high resolutions, while our proprietary low-light technology and advanced pixel architectures provide high-speed frame rates with low power consumption crucial for on-board systems.