TASKING, a prominent provider of software tools for the development of embedded systems, has launched the latest version of its development environment, SmartCode v10.3r1. This update specifically targets the Infineon TriCore™ AURIX™ TC4x family of microcontrollers, which are pivotal in automotive applications demanding high computational performance, such as those involving artificial intelligence (AI).
AI technologies are rapidly gaining traction in the automotive industry, particularly in developing autonomous driving systems. These advancements necessitate robust microcontrollers like the Infineon AURIX TC4x family, renowned for their ability to handle complex algorithmic processes. To streamline the development of such systems, developers require flexible and efficient tools. TASKING's new SmartCode iteration aims to meet this need.
A standout feature of the SmartCode v10.3r1 is the integration of the PPU (Parallel Processing Unit) runtime environment library. This library facilitates a bidirectional data exchange mechanism between the TriCore and PPU, effectively offloading the TriCore. It allows the TriCore to leverage the PPU's enhanced computational abilities for matrix and vector-intensive operations. This mechanism is expected to significantly boost the efficiency and complexity of AI applications in the automotive sector.
Additionally, TASKING’s sophisticated BlueBox debuggers provide a comprehensive set of tools for both virtual and electronic control unit (ECU) environments. They grant developers debug access across all cores, including the PPU, thus enhancing the development process of AI-based applications. Supporting development environments on both Windows and Linux hosts, SmartCode is built on the versatile Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Significantly, the compilers included in SmartCode for both TriCore and PPU are compliant with functional safety (ISO26262) and cybersecurity (ISO21434) standards, and have been certified by TÜV, ensuring they meet crucial industry regulations.
Christoph Herzog, Chief Technology Officer of TASKING, emphasised the role of AI in the future of automated vehicles, stating, "Artificial intelligence is the future of the software-defined vehicle. We are proud that with our new SmartCode we can ease the work of engineers developing for the Infineon AURIX microcontrollers."
From Infineon Technologies, Thomas Schneid, Senior Director for Software and Ecosystem Management, highlighted the innovative aspect of their collaboration, noting that the TC4x family supports ASIL D certifiable embedded AI applications at the edge, setting a precedent in the automotive market. He remarked, "With TASKING’s enhanced support of the PPU, our joint customers will benefit from easier and faster development of automotive AI applications."
Developers interested in exploring the capabilities of SmartCode v10.3r1 can access further details on TASKING's official website. A webinar discussing the product release is scheduled for November 7 at 4:00 pm (CET), offering another opportunity to delve into the features of this new development environment. Registration details for the webinar are also available online.
The introduction of the SmartCode v10.3r1 thus represents a significant step towards advancing AI development in the automotive industry, providing developers with the tools necessary to harness the full potential of the Infineon AURIX TC4x microcontrollers.
Source: Noah Wire Services