MCU is an intelligent semiconductor IC. CPU, SRAM, Flash, counter and other digital and analog modules are integrated into one chip to form a small and complete microcomputer system, which can be controlled in different combinations for different applications.
MCU can be mainly divided into consumer grade, industrial grade, rail grade and military grade. In the automotive field, MCUs are widely used, and MCUs are required for body control (wipers, windows, power seats, etc.), motor systems, and in-vehicle infotainment systems (audio and radio). Compared with consumer MCUs, automotive MCUs have higher requirements for chip security and stability.
Automotive MCU Market Application Classification
The global automotive MCU market is mainly focused on 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microporous devices, which can be used in different performance scenarios according to the different needs of automotive electronic products.
8-bit MCU:
Mainly used for various sub-systems of the car body, including fan control, air conditioning control, wiper, sunroof, window lift, low-level instrument panel, junction box, seat control, door control module and other control functions.
16-bit MCU:
Mainly used in automotive power systems, such as engine control, gear and clutch control, electronic turbo systems, etc.; and chassis mechanisms, such as suspension systems, electronic power steering, torque decentralized control, and electronic brakes, etc. .
32-bitMCU:
Mainly used for dashboard control, body control, multimedia information system, engine control; and emerging intelligent and real-time safety systems and power systems, such as pre-crash, adaptive cruise control (ACC), driver assistance systems, safety features such as electronic stability programs, and transmission functions such as complex X-by-wire.
33-bit MCU has market potential in today's increasingly emphasis on intelligence, real-time and diversification. In addition to processing complex computing and control functions, 32-bit MCU products also play the role of the main control processing center in automotive electronic systems. , that is, centrally manage the middle and low-level electronic control units (ECUs) scattered everywhere.
Key Market Trends
Surging ADAS Demand May Drive Market Growth
Vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) installed can detect and classify objects on the road and alert drivers based on road conditions. In addition, these systems can automatically slow down the vehicle depending on the situation. Some important safety-critical ADAS applications include pedestrian detection/avoidance, lane departure warning/correction, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, and more. Critical to ensuring the success of ADAS applications, these lifesaving systems include the latest interface standards and run multiple vision-based algorithms to support real-time multimedia, vision co-processing, and sensor fusion subsystems.
According to the data, ADAS technology has the potential to prevent 20,841 deaths each year, accounting for about 62% of total traffic fatalities. The advent of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is changing the way designers use, specify and manufacture microcontrollers (MCUs). The evolving and complex nature of ADAS is expected to provide several opportunities for innovation, collaboration and technological breakthroughs in the markets studied.
For example, in April 2022, Chinese smart car microchip designer Coretronics released its E3 series of microcontrollers. The automotive microcontroller adopts TSMC's 22nm automotive grade, which can be used in many automotive application fields such as chassis wire control, brake control, BMS, ADAS, LCD panel, HUD, streaming media system, and CMS. It is designed to achieve a high level of stability and safety. Its vehicle specification is AEC-Q100 Level 1 and the functional safety standard is ISO 26262 ASIL D.
In addition, in March 2022, Renesas Electronics, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced an expansion of cooperation with Honda in the field of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Honda has adopted Renesas' R-Car automotive system-on-chip (SoC) and RH850 automotive MCU in its Honda SENSING Elite system. The Honda SENSING Elite (featured in the March 2021 Legend) incorporates advanced technology compliant with Level 3 autonomous driving (conditional autonomous driving in limited areas). Additionally, Honda has selected the R-Car and RH850 for the Honda SENSING 360 omnidirectional safety and driver assistance system, which builds on the knowledge and expertise gained through earlier technology R&D work.
The Development Of New Energy And Smart Cars Has Increased The Demand For MCU Chips
Structural drivers have led to very strong demand for automotive, industrial, renewable energy and smart devices in recent years, especially electric vehicles, renewable energy will create new demand for the chip industry.
The development of new energy vehicles and smart vehicles has greatly stimulated the demand for MCU chips. As a chip responsible for "execution", twenty or thirty chips were needed in a car in the past, but at least seventy or eighty chips or even more than 100 chips are needed in a new energy vehicle.
For example, the wiper of a traditional car is manual, but the new energy vehicle will execute it according to the sensing effect of the rain sensor, which requires more MCUs.
The handlebar will automatically pop up when it senses the occupant, which also requires a new MCU compared to the mechanical type of traditional models.
And the ambient light inside the new energy vehicle requires nearly ten or more MCUs to control.
MCU Main Brands
NXP Semiconductors:
Facing the challenges of new energy technologies, NXP provides battery management solutions including processors, in-vehicle network sensors, drivers, analog front ends, and active safety functions, enabling customers to better implement system-level deployment when using them. .
STMicroelectronics:
ST supports a wide range of automotive applications, from internal combustion engine powertrain, chassis and safety, body and convenience to telematics and infotainment, paving the way for a new era of vehicle electrification, advanced driver assistance systems, automotive connectivity and safety .
Microchip Technology Inc.:
Microchip's portfolio of automotive-grade microcontrollers and microprocessors is a standout. MCU, digital annunciator and MPU, can be used in the embedded control system of the whole vehicle. These devices offer robust functional safety features that facilitate the development of safety-critical applications.
Infineon Technologies:
January 2022 - Infineon Technologies announces the expansion of its AURIX microcontroller family with the launch of the new AURIX TC4x family of 28nm microcontrollers for next-generation eMobility, ADAS, automotive E/E architectures and affordable artificial intelligence (AI). The first sample applications for the controller. The new family provides an upward migration path for the company's leading AURIX TC3x MCU family. It features next-generation TriCore 1.8 and scalable performance enhancements from the AURIX accelerator suite.
Renesas Electronics:
Renesas offers a wide variety of semiconductor solutions leveraging its broad product portfolio and application expertise accumulated over many years of successful business with customers in the global automotive industry. Its automotive solutions span traditional areas such as powertrain, chassis, body and connectivity/infotainment, as well as recent change drivers in the automotive industry such as ADAS/autonomous driving, electric vehicles and gateway/domain control.
From the perspective of the entire vehicle electronic structure, whether it is intelligent functions such as body power, vehicle control, infotainment, assisted driving, etc., or intelligent systems such as ESP body stability system, ABS anti-lock braking system, engine ECU, etc., are indispensable The figure of the MCU chip.
It can be said that MCU accounts for about 30% of all semiconductor devices equipped in a car. Obviously, the transition from traditional fuel vehicles to smart electric vehicles means the accelerated evolution of vehicle electrification, networking, intelligence, and sharing. These MCU manufacturers have also gained many favorable opportunities with their deep accumulation.
