Digital instrument cluster and connectivity platform

NXP has launched a design platform comprising the i.MX RT1170 micro-controller, the AW611 Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth single-chip, and the KW45 secure wireless access MCU. It is intended for two-wheelers.

NXP announced a digital instrument cluster and connectivity reference platform designed for mass-market two-wheelers, including motorcycles, electric scooters, commuter bikes and more. It provides high-performance graphics and connectivity to support hands-free calling, wireless pairing for smartphone projection, OTA (over-the-air) updates, fleet management and more.

Two-wheelers have become increasingly electrified, both in the cost-effective vehicles necessary for a daily commute, as well as the higher-end performance vehicles for leisure, with close to 300 million on the roads globally today. Connected digital displays with rich graphics are essential to the safe operation of these EVs (electrical vehicles), providing critical information that allows drivers to compare navigation details to battery levels and health, as well as the location of charging points. Two-wheeled EVs have a limited range compared with four-wheeled EVs, and these details are essential for safe transit. Telemetry in the field also provides OEMs with important information about usage and battery lifetimes.

The launched digital instrument cluster and connectivity reference platform is designed to allow OEMs to deliver these essential capabilities, while also enabling a wide variety of different connectivity use cases designed to improve the user experience. This includes three-way Bluetooth pairing between the phone, scooter’s digital cluster and headphones; rider and pillion music sharing; or even location capabilities such as “find my bike” in a parking lot.

“Whether it’s their daily commute or a leisure trip, drivers look for a cluster that delivers the connectivity features that make their ride more enjoyable and safer. From cluster safety telltales, gauges, phone pairing and music sharing to navigation and electric vehicle charging statistics, NXP's cluster and connectivity reference platform with Vector Graphics enables us to deliver a high-end user experience at a price our OEM customers appreciate,” explained Sivakumar Yeddanapudi, working with Visteon, a supplier of cockpit domain controllers.

“Not only does the digital instrument cluster inform the driver of the state of their vehicle, it also represents the main way a driver can customize their vehicle to their preferences. NXP’s digital instrument cluster and connectivity platform enables consistent updates and customizations to support the latest safety, security and connectivity features, all in a platform that balances performance and wireless connectivity capabilities with cost considerations,” said Dan Loop from NXP.

The cluster and connectivity reference platform leverages the i.MX RT1170 crossover MCU with AEC-Q100 Grade 3 qualification. It helps reducing system costs due to the integrated nature, which does not require external memory or power management sub-systems. The platform comes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers pre-integrated into the MCUXpresso SDK, along with display, GNSS, and more. This makes it easy for developers to create their own 2-wheeler connected cluster. The dual-core i.MX RT1170 micro-controller provides several interfaces for connecting peripherals, such as CAN FD, WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, audio, displays and camera sensors, plus a vector graphics accelerator. The i.MX RT1170 MCU’s graphics capabilities are supported by NXP’s broad ecosystem of partners, including Altia, The QT Company, Embedded Wizard by TARA Solutions and Crank.

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