Hitachi's System Architecture is Selected by Delphi and Mannesmann
16 October 2000
Hitachi's System Architecture is Selected by Delphi Delco Electronics and Mannesmann VDO AG for Development of Next-Generation In-Car Infotainment Systems
SAN JOSE, Calif. & MAIDENHEAD, United Kingdom-- Oct. 16, 2000--Industry Leaders Endorse Hitachi's Silicon
Solution as Industry Standard
Hitachi, Ltd., Semiconductor and Integrated Circuits Group today announced that two of the world's leading automotive suppliers, Mannesmann VDO AG of Germany and Delphi Delco Electronics Systems of the United States, will base their next-generation car information systems (CIS) on Hitachi's system architecture. In addition, the companies are individually collaborating with Hitachi for research and development of a standards-based solution.
As a key supplier in the emerging CIS market, Hitachi will offer a standard hardware solution based around its SuperH(R) microprocessor family and companion chips. This solution will be tailored to suit individual applications at a software level to ensure the increasing consumer demand for integrated in-car systems is met in the most effective way. The resulting in-car multimedia solution will integrate audio, navigation, communication, video, entertainment, safety and security capabilities within vehicles. The innovative new systems will be incorporated in vehicles debuting around 2003.
Commenting on the cooperation agreement, Robert W. Schumacher, director, Delphi MobileMedia group of Delphi Delco Electronics, said: "Hitachi's partnership approach to the development of an open platform and common chipset provides the performance versatility and functionality we seek for our future mobile multimedia applications."
"Our needs are defined by the customers," said Mr. Rolf-Juergen Bruess, Senior Executive Vice President, Technology, VDO Car Communication. "We require an open architecture that delivers high performance, cost efficiency and upgradablility with a clear development roadmap. We are convinced that with Hitachi we have found an excellent partner to exploit advanced technology in order to master solutions for tomorrow's mobile world based on our Top Level Architecture TLA."
New Architecture to Lead the Industry
Hitachi is creating the industry's first, open architecture for car information systems, capable of supporting all major operating systems. As well as extending its development activities in partnership with VDO and Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, Hitachi is working with a number of systems partners to create the de facto standard for advanced mobile infotainment systems.
The core of Hitachi's system architecture is the industry-leading SuperH 32-bit RISC engine, an embedded microprocessor that optimises the balance between power, performance and cost, making it an ideal platform for the development of in-car multimedia systems and other applications. It is already one of the most successful processor platforms for car navigation systems and has been used as a reference processor core by Microsoft for Windows(R) CE for automotive.
In addition to the SuperH RISC processor, the dedicated CIS solution incorporates a companion chip called AMANDA, which combines multiple functions needed in this type of system. AMANDA includes a high-performance, two-dimensional graphics engine, video input and communication peripherals. Further details of the AMANDA Companion Chip will be available toward the end of the year. Holger Zielke, Automotive Group Executive, Electronic Components Group, Hitachi Europe Ltd., added: "We are delighted that two of the world's leading developers of in-car multimedia systems have selected Hitachi's architecture to form the platform for the development of next generation car information systems. "We believe that our SuperH family of microprocessors, combined with the best of other industry-leading components and operating systems will become the de facto standard for in-car infotainment systems."
Ali Sebt, Vice President of Product Business Units for Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc., said: "Hitachi's relationship with Delphi and VDO is a prime example of how we can provide a complete system solution including integration of multiple operating systems and efficient middleware. This addresses our customers' time-to-market needs and enables the delivery of content and services for personal information electronics."