S32M2 Integrated Solution Simplifies Edge Node BLDC and PMSM Motor Control

For more than twenty years we have been combining general-purpose MCU s with application specific features from our automotive analog portfolio to create highly integrated solutions for electric motor control . Over this time we have seen the evolution of the electronic controls on many fronts, for example moving from 8-bit to 16-bit and today’s 32-bit MCU architectures. Now with safety and security also playing a bigger role for these systems, it's time to evolve the solution yet again.

With the trend towards software-defined electric vehicles , automotive developers have the need to move away from brushed DC motor to brushless DC motor (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). BLDC and PMSM motors are known for their small size, low weight, higher torque and high efficiency, which contributes to energy savings and range extension for electric vehicles (EV). However, with all these benefits come some challenges: their control is often complex and needs powerful MCUs to implement state-of-the-art field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms to reap their benefit.

With these trends and challenges in mind, NXP has created the S32M2 portfolio of integrated system-in-package (SiP) solution, which provides a comprehensive 12V motor control built on the proven S32 vehicle compute platform. The S32M2 family integrates high-voltage (HV) analog features, a communication physical layer and a S32K general-purpose automotive MCU optimizing space and reducing the bill of materials (BoM) cost (and its complexity) for our customers. The S32K powerful Arm? Cortex?-M4 and Cortex-M7 cores provide the computational power needed to implement advanced motor control algorithms which are necessary to address the stringent in-cabin noise requirements in EVs.

Advanced BLDC and PMSM Motor Control with NXP’s S32M2 Integrated Solutions

The S32M2 motor control solutions address all the modern 12 V automotive motor control needs in a comprehensive way and propel the next growth in software-defined electric vehicles motor control edge nodes:

• Allows a platform-based design of motor control edge nodes thereby enabling OEMs and Tier1s to reduce complexity and improve their time to market
• Enables carmakers to perform data mining with edge nodes and optimize it for higher efficiency
• The high-performance core in the S32M2 allows for diagnostic software to be implemented in the edge node. This allows the monitoring of the inverter switches and motor state of health
• Simplifies the implementation of advanced mathematical algorithms for brushless motor control
• Reduces in-cabin noise and enhances occupant comfort

What NXP Offers in This Sip Integration

S32M2 device is 2 die in a single package: a standard MCU and the analog front end which consists of voltage regulator, physical layer communications interface (CAN or LIN ) and a 12 V motor control gate driver.

Embedded S32K1/S32K3 MCU Core

• High-performance processing core for efficient mathematical algorithm computation
• Functional safety ISO 26262 ASIL B compliant
• Future-proof security features with scalable platform
• Flash memory range from 128KB to 1MB

Integrated Analog and Communication Physical Interface

• 6-channel MOSFET gate driver with slew-rate control which is supplied through a 12V power supply
• Voltage regulator capable of connecting directly to the car battery supplying all modules inside the S32M2
• Rich peripheral set with LIN and CAN FD

Designed for Safety and Reliability

• Follows ISO 26262 development process for Safety Element out of Context (SEooC) components and True ASIL B
• Offers AEC-Q100 Grade 0: -40°C to 150°C ambient temperature to Grade 2
• Functional safety deliverables and enablement to support ISO 26262 compliance
• Meets automotive and industrial OEM specifications for EMC/ESD

Software Reusability

The S32M2 is fully compatible with the enablement tools from the S32 vehicle compute platform such as software, demo codes, development and verification tools. This compatibility enhances software reusability when moving across edge node as well as to S32-based zonal and vehicle compute domain due to the platform design approach. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are also possible for the S32M2 family which provides an option for updating the edge node on demand.

Turning S32M2 Silicon into a Motor Control System Solution

To turn a motor control SiP silicon into system solution we offer not only silicon along with low level drivers but also provide the entire hardware and software collateral and ecosystem.

Conclusion

As the vehicle architecture has evolved shifting towards software-defined, more performance, higher levels of safety and security so too does our portfolio of integrated solutions for electronic motor control with the introduction of the S32M2 family. With it, we carry forward the traits of complete control system solutions that are easy to design in. Looking to the future we expect to continue to evolve as the requirements will, potentially towards higher battery voltages and new communications bus standards, while maintaining the implementation simplicity customers have come to expect from our integrated solutions.

Author | Raghavan Nagarajan

Raghavan is responsible for Global Marketing of integrated motor control automotive processor solution products at NXP Semiconductors. He is a power electronics professional with more than 20 years of industrial experience in the field of power semiconductors, motor drives and renewables. An active member in many international work groups and involved in several funding projects focusing on innovation and new product development. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering and MBA in General Management.