Application platform

The QNX CAR application platform is a pre-integrated software stack that includes production-proven technology from QNX Software Systems and dozens of ecosystem
partners. Its reference implementations and reskinable HMI allow development teams to easily create world-class infotainment systems that include:

• Internet connectivity and browsing
• Bluetooth and hands-free calling
• rear-seat gaming and edutainment
• vehicle monitoring and virtual mechanic support
• media device connectivity
• navigation with Google maps and local search
• Pandora audio and streaming video

See also: QNX CAR Application Platform

 

Instrument clusters

The digital instrument cluster is the new frontier for in-vehicle electronics. It’s a place where safety-critical features meet compelling graphical environments. See why QNX Software Systems has all the right technologies that come together for a perfect fit in this up-and-coming space.

Business issues

A well-executed instrument cluster can bring a huge amount of prestige and attention to a vehicle. But a poorly executed one can spell complete disaster, not only affecting sales but creating potential liability. QNX Software Systems can help meet robust and reliable demands while adding sizzle by:

• Building products to strict safety standards
• Leveraging development across multiple vehicle lines by reskinning cluster
• Maintaining rapid development pace despite introduction of new technologies

Development issues

Developing a digital instrument cluster requires retraining technical staff for a host of new technologies that aren’t in the analog space. QNX Software Systems can help ease the transition by providing ready-made solutions:

• Move from home-built OS to true RTOS, leveraging standards and the ability to use existing code
• Create system with “instant” boot speed to meet customer expectations on immediate cluster availability as soon as vehicle is started
• Use sophisticated 2D and 3D graphics to create rich compelling displays
• Use dozens of supported third party HMI tools for ease of development

Our solution

QNX Software Systems provides a digital instrument cluster solution that can handle the demanding reliability environment at the same time as providing beautiful, attractive cluster graphics with:

• Standards based tools (Eclipse) and OS (POSIX) that enables rapid learning curve
• Component based architecture that promotes software reuse
• A reliable and certifiable RTOS, which makes safety critical designs possible
• Adobe Flash and OpenGL-ES based HMI for creating beautiful, compelling graphics

In addition, many third-party HMI tools (such as Elektrobit Guide, Altia Deep Screen, and Qt) are available through the QNX ecosystem.

Hands-free

The line between a simple hands-free system and a complete telematics system is blurring as OEMs continue to expand and add features to headless modules. QNX Software Systems is a pioneer in the telematics industry, and has the technology and experience to help, no matter how complex the hands-free features become in a deployed system.

In fact, as of 2010, QNX technology is shipping in over 75 percent of factory-installed Bluetooth hands-free systems in vehicles from Acura, Daimler Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, Saab, Toyota, and many others.

We are the recognized leader in this space not only because of our industry-leading real-time OS, but also because of the advanced technology in the QNX Aviage Acoustic Processing Suite. The same technology that companies have come to rely on for standalone hands-free systems is now pre-integrated into the QNX CAR Application Platform. The rare combination of acoustic technology and microkernel reliability allows us to help OEM and tier one suppliers meet a growing number of challenges.

Business issues

Hands-free systems are morphing from offering simple Bluetooth calling to incorporating more and more telematics features, which drives up complexity. At the same time, escalating costs must be driven down. Balancing these two opposing forces, while continually improving reliability, audio quality, and simplifying or eliminating the OEM tuning process are key to a successful hands-free system. QNX Software Systems understands the business issues driving hands-free systems, and helps solve these issues:

• Migrating simple hands-free systems into full gateways
• Maintaining hard real-time responsiveness and life-critical reliability
• Reducing cost through replacing hardware BOM with software capability

Development issues

Creating a flawless hands-free system is a complex endeavor and anything that can be done to make the developer’s life easier is welcome. QNX Software Systems provides secure, reliable, upgradeable components for creating hands-free systems that:

• Integrate with speech technologies for email text-to-speech and hands-free communication
• Handle noisy environments and double-talk
• Offer next-generation speech technologies using context-based natural language recognition

Our solution

QNX Software Systems has a repeatedly production-proven solution that improves user experience while making the system development simple with:

• Best-in-class audio quality for a hands-free solution
• Elimination of the need for an OEM to do expensive and time consuming tuning for each vehicle
• Removal of requirement for dedicated speech, AEC, or hands-free DSP
• Handling of telematics protocols and networking

The QNX Automotive Solutions team is uniquely qualified to help customers eliminate program delays and meet or exceed project milestones and start of production (SOP) commitments.

EXPERTISE

We have worked extensively in all areas of in-car computing, including:

• low-latency audio systems
• multimedia
• graphics, displays, and rotating media (hard disks and CDs)
• file systems
• peripheral busses: USB, SPI, I2S, I2C

EXPERIENCE

We have logged hundreds of person years of automotive development, support, and integration in all areas of the QNX product portfolio.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

We currently have a 100 percent success rate helping customers meet their deadlines.

COMPLETE PROJECTS ON TIME AND ON BUDGET

With hundreds of person years in automotive development, support, and integration, the QNX Automotive Solutions team knows how to manage and deliver complex projects within tight timeframes and budgets.

FOCUS ON ADDING VALUE

By co-sourcing integration and development work with the QNX Automotive Solutions team, customers can focus more time on more important things – like adding high value features to products.

CUT COSTS AND SPEED ROI

Members of the QNX Automotive Solutions team have first-hand experience optimizing QNX-based software to perform optimally on partner hardware; we use this experience to help customers cut development costs and speed time-to-revenue.

QNX Automotive Solutions offers three engineering support options:

AUTOMOTIVE PROJECT TEAM
Dedicated team for long term support, development, and integration

• Architecture reviews
• Demonstration support
• Technology prototyping
• Driver development and optimization
• System-level analysis
• Prioritized enhancements and bug fixing
• Target platform specific testing
• Advanced system-level optimization (fast start up, system profiling, BOM cost reduction, mini-drivers, footprint)

This team includes a project manager, senior developer, and development/test specialist, and is backed by a software development group of professionals focused on automotive-specific projects.

AUTOMOTIVE TIGER TEAM
Small, focused team for short-term, high-priority, time-critical requirements

This team can be on-site on short notice to help troubleshoot and solve complex, unforeseen issues. It is supported by resources in the larger QNX Automotive Solutions and core QNX engineering teams. It has close ties with key suppliers of automotive software and hardware products, and services.

AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN WORKSHOP SUPPORT
Short or medium-term support and development option hosted at Phase Four, the QNX automotive engineering facility

This service allows your engineering team to work hand-in-hand with members of the QNX Automotive Solutions team. We provide development and lab space for multiple team members, test equipment, prototype hardware, and, if required, the vehicle itself.

Customers who work with the QNX Automotive Solutions team know they are working with a team that has a successful formula to achieving results. The questions we ask when creating a customer plan include:

• What technology can we leverage to meet customer deliverables?
• What BSP customizations are needed (custom hardware)?
• What middleware customizations are needed?
• What future roadmap or R&D work must be pulled into product?
• What reference code can be leveraged but must be hardened?
• What pieces are missing and must be created?
• What is the division of responsibility between the customer and QNX Software Systems?
• What is the schedule of work?