Are more bits better in an MCU? That’s similar to asking: are more cylinders better in an internal combustion engine (ICE)? Peripherals and other features matter, not just bits (or cylinders). For example, in the 1980s, Volvo offered a station wagon with a turbo-V4 engine that was faster off the line than Chevrolet Corvette with […]
What does automotive qualification mean?
Automotive qualification means that a component or system meets specific industry standards for manufacturing and performance. Automotive qualification is not a static landscape. New standards are developed in response to new technologies, and existing standards evolve in response to changing applications and new mission profiles. This FAQ reviews and contrasts key international automotive standards such […]
Packaging options and advances for digital ICs
The packaging options for digital ICs (and the related buzz words and acronyms) continue to multiply. Advanced digital ICs such as microprocessors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application specific custom ICs (ASICs) are offered in a wide array of package styles such as: QFN, quad flat no leads; FBGA, fine pitch ball grid array; WLCSP, […]
Technical challenges of automated vehicles
Automated vehicles, also called self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles, are slowly emerging. It’s not an “all or nothing” situation. Features and technologies needed for automated driving are being developed incrementally, with some already in use. This FAQ looks at some of the technologies needed for automated driving, including various levels of “driver support features” versus […]
The role of ADAS sensors in automotive design
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are intended to prevent deaths and injuries by reducing accidents. Exemplary ADAS applications include: pedestrian detection/avoidance, lane departure warning/correction; traffic sign recognition; automatic emergency braking, and; blind-spot detection. This FAQ starts with an overview of the “levels of driving automation” and its relation to ADAS. It then reviews the role […]
What are ASILs and how do they work?
Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASILs) are a risk classification framework based on the ISO 26262 standard for Functional Safety for Road Vehicles. ISO 26262 is the adaptation of the IEC 61508 standards to address the specific needs of electrical or electronic (E/E) systems within road vehicles. This FAQ reviews the current status of the ASIL […]
What does automotive qualification mean?
Automotive qualification means that a component or system meets specific industry standards for manufacturing and performance. Automotive qualification is not a static landscape. New standards are developed in response to the emergence of new technologies, and existing standards evolve in response to changing applications and new mission profiles. This FAQ reviews and contrasts key international […]
Applications and algorithms for quantum computing
Developing the hardware for quantum computing and hybrid quantum/classical computing systems is only one step in developing practical quantum computing solutions. Development of quantum algorithms and related software programming of the qubits is required to implement practical applications using quantum approaches to computing. Earlier FAQs in this series looked at the Basics of quantum computing, […]
Merging quantum and classical computing in a hybrid system
Practical quantum computing requires connections to the outside world. Those connections may be for collaboration between a quantum computer and an external computing resource such as a supercomputer. They can simply output the results of the quantum computations in a manner accessible and usable by human operators. In either case, there’s a paradox between the […]
Quantum computing system architectures
There are a variety of possible physical embodiments of quantum computers. This FAQ will explore several of those possibilities. Qubits, Hamiltonians, and decoherence are three important concepts needed when discussing various approaches to quantum computing. Check out the first FAQ in this series for a more detailed discussion of “What are the basics of quantum […]
