November 14, 2024
In the fast-evolving automotive industry, the role of electronics has grown significantly, supporting systems from braking and steering to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment. This increasing reliance on electronics brings with it stringent safety and reliability requirements. Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) and AEC-Q100 are two key classifications that guide the design, testing, and verification processes for automotive electronic components. In this article, we’ll dive into what these standards entail and how Move-X expertise and tools, like the Spaceman Electronic Design Automation (EDA) platform, support our partners in meeting these crucial requirements.
The Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) is part of the ISO 26262 standard, which establishes functional safety for road vehicles. Introduced as a risk-based classification, ASIL aims to assess and mitigate hazards that could arise from electronic malfunctions in vehicles. The standard defines four ASIL levels, from ASIL-D (highest risk) to ASIL-A (lowest risk), based on three main parameters.
For instance, a braking system failure might be classified as ASIL-D due to its direct impact on safety, while a taillight failure, with less critical implications, might be ASIL-A. Each ASIL level has corresponding design and validation requirements to ensure that potential risks are managed appropriately. For high-risk classifications like ASIL-D, manufacturers must integrate more extensive fail-safe mechanisms, diagnostics, and redundancies.
For companies developing ICs for the automotive sector, achieving ASIL compliance is a critical and detailed process. Move-X supports clients by providing expert design services that integrate ASIL requirements throughout each phase of the IC development cycle, including the following.
Our experience across a variety of applications, from power management systems to ADAS, enables us to assist in developing solutions that comply with ASIL requirements, meeting the highest standards of safety and performance.
Beyond functional safety, automotive ICs must also meet stringent reliability requirements to withstand the rigors of automotive environments. The Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) established the AEC-Q100 standard to outline testing protocols that qualify ICs for automotive use. This standard evaluates the IC robustness under a wide range of stressors, including extreme temperatures, vibration, and electrostatic discharge (ESD).
The AEC-Q100 standard divides its qualifications into four grades based on temperature range, from Grade 3 to Grade 0, as follows.
Higher-grade requirements, such as Grade 0, are crucial for components exposed to high heat, such as those near engines. To achieve these qualifications, ICs undergo rigorous tests, including the following.
At Move-X, we incorporate AEC-Q100 qualification standards into our design services to develop automotive-grade ICs that meet all required reliability tests, while our Spaceman EDA platform provides simulations that streamline the testing and verification processes, ensuring that every design reaches high standards for resilience and durability.
In the automotive industry, ASIL and AEC-Q100 work in tandem to ensure that ICs perform not only reliably but also safely. Where ASIL focuses on functionality and risk mitigation, AEC-Q100 addresses durability and robustness against environmental and operational stresses. Move-X approach unites these two standards into a seamless workflow, with our team experienced in navigating both requirements to develop ICs that meet industry-leading safety and reliability benchmarks.
Designing ICs that are ASIL-compliant and meet AEC-Q100 standards requires a nuanced understanding of both safety and reliability in automotive contexts. With extensive experience in automotive electronic design, Move-X offers specialized services that cover every phase of development:
As automotive technology continues to advance, the role of ICs becomes even more critical. By combining our expertise in ASIL-compliant design with robust AEC-Q100 qualification protocols, Move-X remains committed to driving innovation and reliability in automotive electronics.
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