The first system solution showing a
fully virtual instrument cluster from Fujitsu

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) has announced a new application concept showing the possibilities for virtual instrumentation in future passenger and commercial vehicles. The intention of developing the virtual cluster application was to provide a 'right-sized' complete system solution including hardware and software components, a demo application, as well as tool support to enable a quick start to development.

The application uses Fujitsu's MB86298 'Ruby' graphic processing unit, a dedicated GPU for embedded applications. The graphics core technology forms the basis for next-generation System-on-Chips, combines visual computing with automotive-specific features and introduces impressive vehicle application opportunities. In addition to four integrated video capture units and two integrated display controllers, the GPU's unified shader architecture is fully compliant to Kronos OpenGL ES 2.0.

A new application concept showing the possibilities for virtual instrumentation in future passenger and commercial vehicles.

CGI Studio, the new independent software development platform from Fujitsu Microelectronics Embedded Solution Austria GmbH (FEAT), is also employed in this application. The software has been specifically designed for the development of automotive 3D instrument cluster and infotainment system graphical human machine interfaces (HMI/GUI). In addition to the 3D software engine 'Candera', CGI Studio provides a continuous authoring tool-chain based on 'Scene Composer' as well as the necessary software development process.

The demo application was created in close co-operation with icon incar, a professional automotive design studio located in Germany. Impressive and realistic 3D capabilities (using OpenGL ES 2.0) are shown, displaying different instrument cluster content in high resolution, which is related to various live situations.

'Basic' mode is focussed on ease-of-use with a menu application that minimises the information level to allow the driver to concentrate on the essentials using harmonised design elements. This mode is the standard interface and provides the driver with all the information that is required and relevant to the current driving situation. The 'Ice' colour scheme mixes temperate colouring with clearly structured elements. The whole scene is modelled like a tunnel and gives the impression of an infinite space. A pointer moves on a defined axis into the background. This background area enables the display of moving elements that are smaller or bigger, depending on the distance of the objects or their importance.  The user can choose between 'navigation', 'media', 'phone' and 'assistance' view.

'Sports' mode is designed to impress the viewer with 'Fire' colour scheme - a red background showing traditional needle instruments. In this mode, the cluster provides minimal information only - keeping the driver's attention focused. Important information such as the rotational-speed sensor is displayed in the centre. Additional colouring features will be used if the speed needle moves into the red area.  Speed information is displayed on the right-hand side, while the left-hand side provides information in the form of a stop watch. 

Minimal vehicle system and economy information is displayed during 'Stop' mode, which switches to use the complete display area. This mode provides the highest level of screen flexibility and is used when traffic information that is normally displayed does not need to be shown - e.g. at a red traffic light when the car is stationary, or when the engine stops. In these situations, information about speed and other standard items is not required. The driver can call up information regarding the vehicle, the route or the traffic situation - it would even be possible to transfer traffic light information, e.g. the red phase duration, into the scene.

Step-by-step, fully digital visualisations are replacing traditional in-car electromechanical instrument panels, reducing the complexity of systems and the need for numerous production variants. With a high degree of flexibility, and showing only content that is relevant to different specific driver situations, these new instrument displays help to increase safety in the vehicle.

For further information, e-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com or view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics   

CGI Studio - A software development platform
for 3D automotive human machine interfaces

Fujitsu Microelectronics Embedded Solutions Austria GmbH (FEAT) are now offering CGI Studio, its independent software development platform for 3D graphical human machine interfaces (HMI/GUI), dedicated to automotive instrument clusters and infotainment systems.

CGI Studio features the 3D engine 'Candera' and the development tool environment 'Scene Composer'. The package provides a continuous tool chain for the development of 3D graphical interfaces as well as the necessary software development process. The use of OpenGL ES 2.0 and a strict OS abstraction enables a high degree of hardware independence and gives the greatest possible flexibility.

CGI Studio, an independent software development platform for 3D graphical human machine interfaces (HMI/GUI).

The package is optimised to deliver a continuous and harmonised process flow from the Artist over Host Design down to the Target Application and covers the specific automotive requirements for optimised performance and power consumption. CGI Studio provides information on the concept feasibility for the respective platform during an early design phase. This results in rapid prototyping and decision making on relevant visual features and the required target system.

On Fujitsu's stand at Embedded World a demonstrator showed a state-of-the-art 3D automotive cluster on a Fujitsu proof-of-concept target hardware system for next-generation high-end cluster SoCs. Visitors also experienced in real-time the new 3D HMI development platform by operating the tool and discovering the different features.

CGI Studio has been developed by Fujitsu Microelectronics Embedded Solutions Austria GmbH (FEAT) in Linz. The focus of FEAT is on worldwide automotive, industrial, and telecommunication projects. In these areas, FEAT supports its customers with its own software products as well as provision of software services.

The product range covers 2D/3D graphic engines and tooling for the automotive area, software frameworks for mobile devices as well as products for speeding-up data transfer over long distances.

FEAT also supports FME's existing hardware and software design teams in its Automotive & Embedded Business Unit in Langen and the Graphics Competence Center in Munich, Germany.

Availability
CGI Studio 'Beta Version' will be available for development purposes during Q2/2010. Version 1.0 will be available during Q3/2010. Various application examples, a Fujitsu hardware development platform and a Web support framework will be established soon.

For further information, e-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com or view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics   

World's first 1394 Automotive IC for HD video
contributes to reduced costs and higher fuel efficiency

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) now offer the world's first '1394 Automotive' controller IC that realises HD (1,280 dots x 720 lines) video transmission over the 1394 Automotive in-vehicle multimedia network protocol. The new IC, the MB88395, can transmit multiple streams simultaneously around the vehicle, such as HD video from blu-ray DVD's, digital TV, and car navigation images. The MB88395 does this by using a light-speed 800Mbps physical layer as well as Fujitsu's proprietary SmartCODEC, which provides high compression and can transmit HD video without perceptible lag. This not only brings the rich HD experience to rear seat entertainment, but lowers the system cost of in-vehicle multimedia networks by up to 30%, and the number of wire harnesses (cables) by up to 70%, thus reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency.

Increasing attention is being paid to 1394 Automotive for in-vehicle multimedia networking and it is expected to become commonplace in the automotive market. The reasons for this include the gradual shift to digital TV in each country, the increased availability of HD content, as well as the ceasing of analogue output from Blu-ray players from 2013. These factors make 1394 Automotive necessary to satisfy the expected flood of digital transmissions across in-car networks. Anticipating the future requirements of rear-seat entertainment systems, Fujitsu led other vendors in introducing 1394 Automotive controllers in 2005. This new controller, co-developed with Fujitsu VLSI, allows more HD video content to be viewed easily And flexibly throughout the vehicle.

This technology is supported by Yuji Kawaguchi, Operating Officer of Honda R&D Co., who says: Honda R&D welcomes the MB88395, the first IC to provide the 800Mbps speeds of the 1394 Automotive specification. The importance of high-speed digital transmissions will increase further in the future to handle in-vehicle multimedia as well as to reduce weight. 1394 Automotive is an in-vehicle network that can enrich entertainment and comfort. We plan to promptly evaluate the MB88395."

Key to the MB88395's capabilities is its physical layer, which is compliant with the 800Mbps set out in the 1394 Automotive specification and is double the 400Mbpos of the previous product. This is combined with the latest version of Fujitsu's SmartCODEC compression codec for video, which has an even higher compression ratio, compressing video to one quarter of its original size - compared to one third of the previous version. The SmartCODEC, developed by Fujitsu Laboratories and used in the BT.601 Transport Over IEEE-1394 standard, can compress and decompress high-resolution video in 2-3ms without any perceptible time lag or out of sync contents, which can be a problem when watching the same contents on the front and rear-seat monitors.

These features make the MB88395 the first IC in the world to allow multiple streams of HD video and navigation images over 1394 Automotive. For example, an HD video stream (1,280 dots x 720 lines) from a Blu-ray DVD that has been decompressed has a rate of 885Mbps. With subsequent compression to one quarter using  the SmartCODEC, the rate becomes 249Mbps, so two channels can be transmitted in the 800Mbps bandwidth, which was not possible over 400Mbps products.

Fujitsu plans to expand its line-up of 1394 Automotive ICs further to handle the increasing streams in vehicles, such as video content and peripheral cameras as well as to drive further reductions in system costs. These in-vehicle networking chips complement Fujitsu's strong presence in automotive ICs for processing graphics and video.

Fujitsu Microelectronics in profile
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs, ASIC products and software development, work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout EMEA to help satisfy customer systems development requirements. This solution approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP, building blocks and software.

For further information e-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com or view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics   Refer to page 29