Car Networking With FPGAs

Car Networking with FPGAs
● Automotive End Market

● Industry Trends
Home > End Markets > Automotive > Car Networking
● Automotive Applications
Automotive electronic systems are becoming increasingly complex at the same time new
Next Steps
Graphics Processing
interfaces and protocols are being introduced. Computer processors control many
● Get Reference Designs
Car Networking
functions in the car, from anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and fuel injection units to
● Get IP Cores
❍ Gateway Controller cutting-edge entertainment systems.
● View Webcast
❍ Telematics System
Altera’s Cyclone® FPGA series and suite of complementary solutions provide an ● Read Success Stories
❍ Telematics Controller
unparalleled flexibility to mix-and-match functionality with pricing that is competitive with
● Driver Assistance Buy Now
ASICs and ASSPs.
Audio Processing
● Buy Paris Dev Kit
Car networks (Figure 1) are usually divided into body and power train control networks
● Automotive Solutions
Support
and telematics and multimedia sub-networks. A central controller (known as an "Auto PC"
● Flexible Microcontrollers
in Europe) is the core element of an automotive system. The central controller allows you ● View Knowledge Database
● Reference Designs
to operate the different electronic systems and control units. To communicate with these ● Use Troubleshooter
● IP Cores
electronic control units, the central controller must have access to all types of buses ● Join the Altera Forum
● Devices
through the gateway controller, which acts as a router between the different electrical and ● Join the Nios Forum
● Embedded Processors
optical buses in a car.
Documentation
● Development Kits
Figure 1. Next-Generation Car Network ● View Literature

● Automotive Quality
● Get Auto Solution Sheet
● Standards & Qualifications

(PDF)
● Get Auto Handbook (PDF)

● Automotive Resources
● Consortia
http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/aut-network.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:08 PM]

● Customer Successes
● Glossary of Key Terms
● Questions & Answers
● Literature
Notes:
1. DVB = digital video broadcast
2. GSM = global system for mobile communication
3. UMTS = universal mobile telecommunications system
4. DAB = digital audio broadcast
5. DMB = digital multimedia broadcast
6. GPS = global positioning system
7. DSP = digital signal processing
8. WLAN = wireless local area network
9. UWB = ultra wideband
10. CAN = controller area network
11. LIN = local interconnect network
CAN and local interconnect network protocols carry the communication between the electronic control units within the
body and powertrain systems. In the future, FlexRay or a timing-triggered CAN will be used for an advanced, high data-
rate control system for combining multiple sensors and electronic control units.
With the rapid expansion of digital and wireless (e.g., GSM and UMTS) technology, end-users will have access to various

advanced services such as digital video, audio, and multimedia broadcasts. The telematics and multimedia sub-networks
provide various telematic services, including wireless links to portable devices such as personal digital assistants
(PDAs) and digital audio or video sub-systems. The telematics and multimedia sub-systems commonly use media
oriented systems transport (MOST), FireWire (IDB 1394), and USBs to connect to the gateway.
Altera has a variety of solutions to meet next-generation car network requirements. You can choose from several flexible
and low-cost Cyclone FPGA families to combine many different IP core building blocks, such as CAN, MOST, or FlexRay
controllers/interfaces or video and image processing solutions. For a more intelligent solution, take advantage of Altera's
Nios® II 32-bit embedded processor. No competitive soft processor comes close to matching the performance, utility,
and cost-efficiency of a Nios processor in a Cyclone FPGA. Since Nios II is a soft core processor, it can be easily ported to
new or future FPGAs, making it an obsolete-proof microcontroller architecture.
Related Links
● Automotive-Grade Device Handbook (PDF)
● Automotive-Grade Devices
● Nios II 32-Bit Embedded Processor
● Automotive Reference Designs
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Automotive Gateway Controllers with FPGAs

● Industry Trends
Home > End Markets > Automotive > Car Networking > Gateway Controller
An automotive gateway controller acts as a router between the different electrical/optical
Next Steps
Graphics Processing
buses in a car and is intended to support various interfaces so the system can
Car Networking
communicate with buses used by different manufacturers.Typically, the gateway
● Get IP Cores
❍ Gateway Controller controller integrates several multimedia interfaces, such as USB, FireWire, and media-
● View Webcast
❍ Telematics System oriented system transport (MOST) buses, as well as connecting the control area network
● Read Success Stories
❍ Telematics Controller (CAN) systems. The controller can also interface with new or after-market automotive
Driver Assistance modules using computer-related interfaces such as Ethernet and Bluetooth. In some
●
Buy Now
Audio Processing applications, a gateway controller is used to control media devices such as flash memory
and CD-ROM drives. A small CPU is often necessary to control the routing function of the
gateway. Support
● Flexible Microcontrollers
● View Knowledge Database
Figure 1 shows a typical automotive gateway controller system. Altera's low-cost
● Use Troubleshooter
Cyclone® series FPGAs are used for the next generation of embedded gateway
● IP Cores
● Join the Altera Forum
controllers. Altera® FPGAs offer fully-flexible, real system-on-chip (SOC) solutions with a
● Devices
● Join the Nios Forum
configurable number of ports and types along with hardware routing acceleration.
Additionally, the Nios® II 32-bit RISC embedded processor architecture allows for easy Documentation
● Development Kits
integration of network services protocols.
● View Literature
All the types of interfaces shown in Figure 1 are available as intellectual property (IP)
(PDF)
cores from Altera or Altera partners. Using Altera’s SOPC Builder, you can implement a

● Automotive Resources Nios II processor along with all types of IP on a flexible bus system within a few minutes.
● Consortia
http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/gateway-controller/aut-gateway.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:22 PM]

Figure 1. Automotive Gateway Controller
● Literature
Related Links
● Nios II Embedded Processor
● Automotive IP cores
● IP MegaStore™ (all IP cores)
● DSP Solutions Center

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Telematics and Entertainment Systems Using FPGAs

● Industry Trends
Home > End Markets > Automotive > Car Networking > Telematics System
Telematics systems are used to control automotive electronic systems and to
Next Steps
Graphics Processing
display information about these systems efficiently for the driver and other passengers.
Car Networking
The data displayed can include information from the navigation and GPS, maps,
● Get IP Cores
❍ Gateway Controller entertainment systems, mobile phones, and in some regions, road-tolling systems. See
● View Webcast
❍ Telematics System Figure 1.
❍ Telematics Controller
Automotive designers developing telematics systems face the challenge of anticipating
● Driver Assistance Buy Now
what systems to build and how those systems can be customized regionally and updated
Audio Processing
over time. Automotive manufacturers must also ensure that their products interface with ● Buy Paris Dev Kit
● Automotive Solutions a wide range of equipment, including after-market equipment that can be installed by
Support
● Flexible Microcontrollers customers.

Altera programmable logic addresses many of these challenges because it allows ● Use Troubleshooter
● IP Cores
automobile manufacturers to develop a fully-flexible telematics system, even allowing ● Join the Altera Forum
● Devices
upgrades after the car has been sold. Programmable logic provides upgradeability within ● Join the Nios Forum
the interfacing buses or as a complete bus-interfacing unit. It also allows interfacing
Documentation
● Development Kits between the various protocols used by different ASSPs.
● View Literature
● Automotive Quality Altera's low-cost Cyclone® series FPGAs are ideal for interfacing applications. You can use ● Get Auto Solution Sheet
● Standards & Qualifications Altera's 32-bit Nios® II embedded RISC processor in a Cyclone series FPGA to implement (PDF)
the telematics controller module. FPGAs allow customized interfacing between the various ● Get Auto Handbook (PDF)
● Automotive Resources
sub-system ASSPs available for this market, enabling multiple data sources.
● Consortia
http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/telematics-system/aut-system.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:32 PM]

● Customer Successes Figure 1. Telematics/Entertainment System
● Literature
Notes:
1. HMI = human machine interface
2. OSD = on screen display
With a highly efficient device architecture, Cyclone series FPGAs meet the performance and price-level requirements of
cost-sensitive applications. Cyclone series FPGAs and Altera's suite of complementary products and solutions provide
automotive designers with unparalleled functionality at prices that are competitive with ASICs.
Related Links
● Telematics/Controller
● DSP Solutions Center
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Telematics/Entertainment Controller

● Industry Trends
Home > End Markets > Automotive > Car Networking > Telematics Controller
In an automobile, a telematics system combines wireless communication with GPS and
Next Steps
Graphics Processing
embedded computing to deliver up-to-date information and on-board entertainment to
Car Networking
the driver. The telematics system's embedded processor controls the system functions,
● Get IP Cores
❍ Gateway Controller including the GPS, wheel sensors, and tachometer interface. Data from these components
● View Webcast
❍ Telematics System such as navigational information and wheel- and engine-speed information is displayed
❍ Telematics Controller via the LCD graphics controller. This system provides the driver with current traffic
Driver Assistance conditions, driving maps and directions, and speed and fuel efficiency data. In addition,
●
Buy Now
Audio Processing during an emergency, the system can provide rescue services with the exact location of
the vehicle.
Support
● Flexible Microcontrollers The entertainment unit provides access to the automobile's audio player/CD-ROM, where
MP3 music files are stored. The system's navigational data, as used by the GPS system,
● Use Troubleshooter
can also be stored here. MP3 music files are sent to the automobile's audio system for
● IP Cores
● Join the Altera Forum
playback via the audio interface.
● Devices
● Join the Nios Forum
Through a variety of bus connections, the interface unit provides the controller access to
Documentation
● Development Kits all of the automobile's entertainment and driver-information systems, such as the on-
● View Literature
board computer. The USB or Ethernet (and/or Bluetooth) interface can be used for
connecting portable devices such as laptops or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to
(PDF)
the system for synchronizing data or uploading/downloading files. External multimedia

● Automotive Resources devices such as portable DVD players can connect to the controller via the USB or
● Consortia FireWire interface. On-board CD/DVD players or other on-board multimedia devices are
http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/telematics-controller/aut-controller.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:44 PM]

networked through media orientated system transport (MOST)/FireWire (IDB1394)

interfaces. The vehicle's control area network (CAN), serial peripheral interface (SPI), inter-integrated circuit bus, and
inter-integrated circuit sound bus interfaces manage non-critical vehicle body controls. Figure 1 shows a typical
telematics/entertainment controller.
● Literature
Figure 1. Telematics/Entertainment Controller
Notes:
1. SPI = serial peripheral interface
2. I/C = inter-integrated circuit bus
3. 12S = inter-integrated circuit sound bus
4. ATAPI = AT attachment packet interface
5. PWM = pulse width modulation

Altera's low-cost Cyclone® series FPGAs are ideal for the interfacing applications found in telematics systems.
Programmable logic allows you to customize the interfaces to suit many sources of data. It provides a complementary,
flexible architecture working with the automotive-based ASSP devices. Most of the functionality of the telematics
controller can be implemented within a Cyclone series FPGA. Using ready-to-use Altera® intellectual property (IP) cores
such as the 10/100 Ethernet media access controller (MAC), along with the PCI and CAN controllers, can significantly
reduce development costs and the time-to-market for automotive applications. Additionally, Altera's 32-bit Nios II
embedded RISC processor can be used to perform standard microcontroller functions in telematics applications.
Related Links
● Telematics/Entertainment System
● Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Solutions Center
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Car Networking with FPGAs

● Automotive End Market

Figure 1. Next-Generation Car Network ● View Literature

● Standards & Qualifications

● Get Auto Handbook (PDF)

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/aut-network.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:08 PM]

● Glossary of Key Terms

● Questions & Answers

1. DVB = digital video broadcast

2. GSM = global system for mobile communication

3. UMTS = universal mobile telecommunications system

4. DAB = digital audio broadcast

5. DMB = digital multimedia broadcast

6. GPS = global positioning system

7. DSP = digital signal processing

8. WLAN = wireless local area network

9. UWB = ultra wideband

10. CAN = controller area network

11. LIN = local interconnect network

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/aut-network.html (2 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:08 PM]

new or future FPGAs, making it an obsolete-proof microcontroller architecture.

● Automotive-Grade Device Handbook (PDF)

● Nios II 32-Bit Embedded Processor

● Automotive Reference Designs

Rate This Page

Jobs | Investor Relations | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy | Legal Notice

Copyright © 1995-2010 Altera Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/aut-network.html (3 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:08 PM]

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/aut-network.html (4 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:08 PM]

● Automotive End Market

● Get Auto Handbook (PDF)

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/gateway-controller/aut-gateway.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:22 PM]

● Glossary of Key Terms

● Questions & Answers

● Automotive-Grade Device Handbook (PDF)

● Nios II Embedded Processor

● IP MegaStore™ (all IP cores)

● Automotive Reference Designs

● DSP Solutions Center

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/gateway-controller/aut-gateway.html (2 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:22 PM]

Rate This Page

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Copyright © 1995-2010 Altera Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/gateway-controller/aut-gateway.html (3 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:22 PM]

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/gateway-controller/aut-gateway.html (4 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:22 PM]

● Automotive End Market

● Flexible Microcontrollers customers.

http://www.altera.com/end-markets/auto/network/telematics-system/aut-system.html (1 of 4) [3/19/2010 8:58:32 PM]

● Customer Successes Figure 1. Telematics/Entertainment System

● Glossary of Key Terms

● Questions & Answers

1. HMI = human machine interface

2. OSD = on screen display

● Automotive-Grade Device Handbook (PDF)

● Nios II Embedded Processor

● IP MegaStore™ (all IP cores)

● Automotive Reference Designs

● DSP Solutions Center

Rate This Page

Jobs | Investor Relations | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy | Legal Notice

Copyright © 1995-2010 Altera Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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