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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.

NEC Electronics has developed a 55-nanometer (nm) cell-based integrated circuit (IC) capable of dramatically reducing power consumption. Utilized in this IC is a low standby power CMOS technology that supports extended battery usage in mobile phones and other portable devices. We asked the developers of the first practical application of high-k gate insulation film to discuss their journey to make ultra-thin high-k a reality.

To achieve high-resolution display of graphics in cellular phones and other high-end consumer devices, high-speed data processing is certainly required, but larger memory capacity and high-speed data transfers between the processor and memory are also indispensable. In this article, we will introduce SMAFTI, a promising new system-in-package (SiP) architecture that was specifically developed to meet these high-speed data transfer and large memory capacity requirements at low cost.

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.

NEC Electronics is the leader in driver ICs for large-screen LCDs. This article introduces one of the new technologies and the background behind the development of a new source driver IC for full high-definition large-screen LCD TVs.

Due to the increasing prevalence of wireless LAN environments, it is now commonplace for notebook PCs, handheld game consoles and other such devices to come equipped with wireless transmission functions. This article introduces NEC Electronics RF devices that can be used not only to increase transmission clarity but also to extend battery life.

As digital broadcasting becomes more widespread, the EMMA Series of system LSI chips are contributing to the compatibility of HDTV broadcasting with key digital AV appliances, namely the set-top box (STB), the digital TV and the DVD recorder.

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.

Along with the spread of mobile audio players capable of recording music onto memory or hard disk, rapid advancements have been made toward incorporating music playback functions in mobile phones. This article introduces NEC Electronics' µPD99910 audio processor for mobile phones that enables 50 hours of continuous music playback.

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.

NEC Electronics has an extensive lineup of power management devices designed for a broad range of applications. This article introduces our power MOSFET products.

In this edition, we will introduce a system LSI chip for TV function-equipped PCs that enables the realization of clear TV images.

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 Japan, mobile phone sounds are becoming increasingly diversified as a result of the popularization of Chaku-melo™ (ring tone melodies) and Chaku-uta® (ring tone songs). In this article, we will introduce our new melody LSI chip, a device that is sure to further enrich the sounds heard on today's mobile phones.

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.

With the advent of terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan's metropolitan areas, the digital TV market is heating up. And one system LSI chip is playing an important role in broadening its appeal.

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.

The majority of rewritable DVD drives currently available on the market are 8x speed, and there are multiple standards. Here we will introduce our new system LSI for dual convertible DVD±R drives that supports 16x recording speed-the fastest in the industry-as well as discuss our future plans.

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.

3G mobile phones are beginning to show signs of full-fledged diffusion. Here we will introduce semiconductor technologies developed by NEC Electronics that are being utilized in service area expansion.

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.

We will present information about the much talked about DVD recorder and focus on image data conversion and compression technology, as well as MPEG-2 audio/video codec LSIs.

Digital terrestrial broadcasting is set to begin in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya at the end of 2003. We will be introducing a semiconductor that has integrated all of the functions necessary to receive digital terrestrial broadcasts via mobile phones and other devices on a single chip.