Qualcomm develops future-proof car connectivity platform

Article By : Christoph Hammerschmidt

Qualcomm has announced a reference platform for the connected car that addresses the requirements of a broad range of applications in one fell swoop.

Semicon manufacturer Qualcomm has unveiled a reference platform for the connected car. The new platform addresses the requirements of across a range of applications including wireless key technologies– LTE, GNSS, WiFi, DSRC/V2X and Bluetooth.

Designed to solve challenges such as scalability, wireless coexistence, future-proofing and support for third-party in-car hardware architectures, the platform is built upon existing Qualcomm technologies and architecture such as Snapdragon X12 and X5 LTE modems, quad-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System and 2D/3D Dead Reckoning location solutions as well as the company’s VIVE WiFi products, Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) for Vehicle-to-X communications, Bluetooth LE and broadcasting capabilities such as analogue and digital tuner support using software-defined radio functionality based on Qualcomm’s tuneX chips. In addition, the platform features in-vehicle connectivity technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet via Automotive Audio Bus (A2B) and CAN.

In order to ensure the desired scalability the platform is designed as a framework that can grow with its tasks. It scales from a basic telematics unit up to a highly integrated wireless gateway connecting multiple ECUs within the car and supports critical functions like over-the-air software upgrades as well as data collection and analytics.

Enabling the vehicle’s connectivity hardware and software to be upgraded throughout its life cycle, the platform offers users a migration path from DSRC to hybrid and cellular V2X and from 4G LTE to 5G.

__Figure 1:__ *The reference platform scales from a basic telematics unit up to a highly integrated wireless gateway connecting multiple ECUs within the car.*

The platform allows automakers and suppliers to explore, prototype and commercialise connectivity designs using modules and solutions offered based on Qualcomm’s roadmap. “With the Connected Car Reference Platform, Qualcomm Technologies has developed a platform for automakers, module OEM customers, and developers that emphasizes scalability, modularity and security for integrating and managing multiple cutting-edge wireless technologies inside vehicles,” said Nakul Duggal, vice president, product management,

The reference platform is expected to be available by the end of 2016.