ARM processors are increasingly used in automotive applications such as In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), powertrain, chassis and body control. Moreover, there are emerging opportunities in Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2V, V2I) communications which further extend the scope and sophistication of computation systems in vehicles of the future.
These developments are driving the next generation of automobile electronics where more use of ARM processors is made each year. This paper discusses the technology behind some of these applications and describes where and how ARM processors are used in automotive electronics and associated highways infrastructure applications. The paper then introduces the evolution of ARM processor architecture for real time control and safety systems, enabling designers to manage the increasing complexity of automotive hardware and software, including those systems concerned with functional safety. Future ARM-powered products implementing this new architecture will also offer enhanced real time performance and contribute towards improved software quality and reliability with increased code re-use and portability.