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The next generation of car navigation systems is within sight!
NEC Electronics' NaviEngine® multicore platform is the world's first (*1) system LSI to be developed with a symmetric multicore processor・・MP・映or use in car navigation systems. To learn more about the development of NaviEngine, a system LSI chip capable of conducting complex processing at high speeds and displaying multiple screens, we interviewed one of the engineers involved in its design.

*1: As of October 2007, according to an in-house survey

Since becoming a premium member in AUTOSAR NEC Electronics has also assumed a very active role in the standardization work to build a common platform for software development. AUTOSAR is a consortium made up of vehicle manufacturers, ECU suppliers, and software development tool vendors. We asked an engineer of NEC Electronics Europe about the activities in AUTOSAR.

This is the story of the development of an automotive power MOSFET aimed at attaining a high current output of 160A or more. Here, at last, is the second part of an article we first introduced in 2004 titled, "The path traveled by the creators of the NP Series of ultra-low on-resistance power MOSFETs for automobiles: Breaking the 2 mΩ barrier."

Extensive efforts are being made to increase automotive safety. Among these efforts, the development of pre-crash safety functions for the realization of "collision-free automobiles" has recently begun to garner a great deal of attention. This article introduces IMAPCAR®, NEC Electronics' high-performance image processing LSI chip at the core of pre-crash safety functions.

When it comes to microcontrollers for car audio use, NEC Electronics is the industry leader. This article introduces the untold story behind the creation of the world's first digital tuning system for car audio use, traces the history of how microcontrollers have supported the evolution of car audio and provides an overview of the latest microcontrollers equipped with flash technology.

Model-based development aimed at improving development efficiency is attracting a great deal of attention as the scale and complexity of control software for automobiles and motors increase. This article introduces the V850™ Integrated Development Environment in conjunction with MATLAB®, which has become the mainstream simulation tool in this field.

As more and more driving information becomes available, consumers are seeking dashboard designs that make it easier to view a vast array of content. This article introduces our company's efforts to meet these consumer needs.

As the computerization of automotive control systems advances, finding a way to make software development more efficient has become a challenge. Here we will introduce the V850 Integrated Development Environment (IDE) in conjunction with MATLAB®, a product that is fast becoming the mainstream in control system development.

In collaboration with NEC Kansai Factory, NEC Electronics began a project to develop history-making power MOSFETs that would break 2m ohm on-resistance. It was an uneasy start with no basis for reaching its target, and the difficult requirements needed for automotive use gave project team members a premonition of troubles ahead.

Power MOSFETs are the key to simplifying and lightening the equipment used in automobile electrical systems such as power steering systems. NEC Electronics found itself lagging behind a rival manufacturer in capitalizing on the potential value in performance of power MOSFETs. It was then and there that the company decided to reverse the tides and embark on the challenge of becoming the industry leader.

Due to increasing concern over environmental issues and safety, automobile manufacturers began looking to make improvements in every aspect of performance. NEC's sales, design & development and production departments came together to focus on realizing a microcontroller with high reliability and quality.

As environmental awareness grows, semiconductors employed in electronic control systems are in the spotlights by the automotive industry. This article introduces power MOSFETs from NEC Electronics that contribute to environmentally friendly automobile production.

Nearly all passenger cars now come equipped with car audio systems. In recent years, car audio makers have overcome numerous barriers to develop and provide a vast array of differentiated products boasting improved sound and visual quality.