Ÿ enables new types of engines, such
as electrical vehicles (Evs), hybrid
electrical vehicle (HEVs) and plug-in
hybrid electrical vehicles (PHEVs).
Ÿ Communication systems: Multichip
packages (MCPs), which combine
two technologies into one package,
fit the requirements needed given the
tight space constraints and memory
requirements of communication
modules. Memory used in
communication systems integrates
‘hands-free’ operation, utilizing a
consumer’s smartphone via a
wireless link or an integrated
transceiver.
Ÿ Infotainment/Cluster systems:
DRAM, NOR flash, managed
NAND and MCPs are all needed to
meet the needs of
infotainment/clusters due to the
variety of applications included in
these systems. While e.MMC
devices are typically used for storage
(of contacts, maps and other media),
industry leading LPDDR4 devices
are essential to support the
bandwidth demands
associated with high-
resolution video available in
today’s cars. Flash enables a
wide range of information for
a driver, including heads-up
displays which project
pertinent information—including
speed, night vision assistance and
turn-by-turn directions—onto the
windshield to help keep a driver's
eyes on the road.
Ÿ Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
(ADAS): Similar to
infotainment/clusters, DRAM,
NAND, NOR flash and MCPs are all
used to meet the needs of ADAS,
which includes a wide range of
features including adaptive cruise
control, automotive night vision,
traffic sign recognition, lane
departure warning, parking
assistance, backup cameras, collision
July 2017
avoidance, automatic electronic
braking, and smart headlights. The
extensive compute performance
associated with the three stages of
ADAS—sense, perceive, act—drives
this system to use the highest
performance memory. And, as ADAS
scale to extend to autonomous
driving, system requirements will
further tax memory bandwidth.
Translating needs into the most
efficient Capabilities
For today’s automotive memory
solutions, high temperature and quality
standards are key. Connected car
applications require specific memory
solutions due to the stringent quality,
reliability, and operating temperature
requirements of the automotive market.
Not only are performance and more
advanced systems driving these
requirements, but the relative location
of the memory pushes the boundaries.
Think of the forward-looking camera
right behind the windshield with no
airflow and the sun beating down on it
during a hot Texas summer. Combine
that with the proximity to the processor
and the volatile memory quickly heats
above the 105ºC range quickly pushing
towards 125ºC and the nonvolatile sees
a similar increase from 85ºC to 105ºC.
The automotive market's unique set of
feature requirements include:
assembly, and test to ensure the
highest quality product
Ÿ Long Lifecycle – 10-year product
availability and support
Ÿ Burn-In Flow – Simulating the first
year of product life to improve
overall quality, which is statistically
when marginal products fail
Ÿ Automotive Certification of Fab
and Assembly Sites – Fab and
assembly certification to ISO/TS
16949
Ÿ AEC-Q100 – A failure mechanism-
based stress test qualification for
integrated circuits]
Ÿ Automotive documentation such
as:
¨ Production part approval process
(PPAP) documentation – Additional
documentation stating where die is
fabricated, parts are assembled, and
testing is conducted so there is a
formal return merchandise
authorization (RMA) trail
¨ 8D failure mode and effects analysis
(FMEA) support – In-depth support
with guaranteed timelines
and clear steps for
improvement
The Catalyst to the next leap
in Automotive Evolution
‘Micron is focused on the
automo tive market segment
with parts purposed built to meet the
above standards,’ said Robert Bielby,
Senior Director, Micron Technology,
Inc. ‘We continue to work closely with
manufacturers and their suppliers to
define the next generation memory.
We've become a leading provider of
automotive memory solutions – not by
chance, but by design.’
Ÿ Continuous Improvement Process
– Persistent focus on improving the
overall quality of products, including
legacy products
Ÿ Automotive-Grade Selection –
Strict selection criteria in fabrication,
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