Texas Instruments this week said that Audi's MIB High system, the next-generation infotainment platform for Audi vehicles, is the first automotive system to incorporate TI's Jacinto 5 automotive infotainment processor.

Jacinto 5 plays an important role in the new architecture of Audi's high infotainment systems, which consist of a multimedia applications unit (MMX) and a highly integrated radio and car control unit (RCC). Among other features, the processor enables feature-rich vehicle interfaces, and vivid digital radio and audio within the RCC unit in Audi's MIB High system, which debuted in the 2012 Audi A3.

TI's Jacinto 5 automotive infotainment processor is an automotive-qualified, heterogeneous multi-core processor providing power, flexibility and real-time signal processing. The Jacinto 5 includes an integrated ARM Cortex-A8 core that manages middleware, drivers and applications stacks, along with a digital signal processor (DSP) that powers audio, radio and automotive low-level tasks. The processor also integrates a rich collection of automotive peripherals and connectivity options. This highly integrated system-on-chip enables a cost-effective design for mid- to high-level infotainment systems and can scale to add the functionality of an external applications processor.

"When designing the MIB High system, it was clear that we would need a highly integrated, robust and adaptable processor for the RCC unit. TI's Jacinto 5 processor surpasses those needs, and ensures that drivers and passengers receive the best of automotive infotainment in our latest vehicle," said. Peter Steiner, head of infotainment development at Audi AG.

TI collaborated with Audi and other industry leaders to support Audi's goal of providing best-in-class infotainment features to customers, while ensuring a long lifecycle for the vehicle interfaces. This long span, made possible by the MIB High system's unique modular approach, allows developers to retain the stable vehicle processor within the RCC unit, and provides the flexibility to incorporate future consumer-demanded features to the MMX unit.

"TI and Audi's collaboration has produced a truly paramount automotive infotainment system. Our scalable Jacinto 5 processing architecture enables Audi to equip consumers with leading-edge capabilities, without an on-going R&D investment for stable automotive features. The rich multimedia, high integration and extended lifecycle of the MIB High System will keep drivers and passengers entertained, informed and connected for the long run," said Matthew Watson, product line manager of audio and infotainment at TI.

TI offers a full suite of reliable, state-of-the-art semiconductor products that allow manufacturers and system suppliers to deliver world-class features to the automotive market. In addition to our extensive catalog of analog power management, interface and signal chain solutions, TI offers Hercules TMS570 safety microcontrollers, automotive-grade processors and wireless connectivity solutions, all with product documentation and qualification to strict AEC-Q100 and ISO/TS 16949 standards. Whether improving system efficiency and safety or designing a vehicle that is more informative or fun, TI helps customers achieve their quality, reliability and cost goals and succeed in today's competitive automotive marketplace.

Tags: Texas Instruments, TI, Jacinto, OMAP, ARM, Cortex