Infineon tweaks Aurix for performance, security
The new Aurix version targets applications that equally require high real-time performance and high reliability, including chassis control, autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems. It features a hexa-core architecture (which means that it incorporates six CPU cores) and several new instructions. It also contains a new hardware signal accelerator unit that in turn supports up to eight radar sensors – a unique feature that enables the implementation of radar cluster, a new concept for future high-resolution radar sensors that generate 3D images with a definition and clarity similar to optical cameras, explained Thomas Böhm, Senior Director Microcontrollers for Chassis and ADAS at Infineon.
With measures like faster data access path between CPU and memory or up to 6 Mbyte static RAM, the new Aurix version achieves three times the performance of earlier versions, Infineon claims. Additional enhancements like Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with QoS support, up to twelve CAN FD ports and an upgrade to its ADC cluster to process analog signals, the Aurix TC3xx family is clearly looking for more demanding tasks. With its quad-lockstep core, the Aurix meets requirements for functional safety up to ASIL level D.
To also meet the increasing demand for “functional security” – IT security for safety-relevant driving functions, as Böhm explains – a new Hardware Seucity Module (HSM) is available for the Aurix. With its integrated 32-bit CPU and hardware acceleration for several state-of-the-art encryption and security schemes such as AES-128 or SHA-224/226, a memory protection unit and integrated secure code storage, it is equipped to shoulder future tasks like secure software updates over the air (OTA) while at the same time offering protection against hacking attacks – an aspect that increasingly is in the focus of automotive electronics designers, Böhm said.
At the same time, Infineon introduced a secure connectivity solution for vehicles, based on the Intrusion Detection and Prevention System and on the remote cloud platform from cooperation partner Argus Cyber Security Solutions (Tel Aviv, Israel). The solution is intended to be integrated into the cars as a central vehicle gateway to protect the internal data networks of the car against cyber attacks.
Being a decisive component for the vehicle’s security architecture, the central gateway connects all electronic control units across the vehicle’s diverse domains and monitors the entire data communications across these in-car networks. At the same time, the gateway functions as the central access point to perform software updates as well as diagnosis and maintenance tasks across the car’s OBD port or its air interface.
According to Böhm, Argus has developed its Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS) to identify atypical messages on the vehicle’s internal data links and to prevent their propagation in the car. The low-latency IDPS utilizes context sensitive heuristic learning algorithms that ensure a high detection rate already if working as stand-alone solution. In combination with Argus’ Lifespan Protection remote cloud platform it informs car makers and fleet operators about the relevant IT security aspects of their fleet and enables them to identify attacks early and take appropriate measures.
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