In the rapidly evolving world of automotive technology, safety and reliability are paramount. VeriSilicon Microelectronics, a leading Silicon Platform as a Service (SiPaaS) provider, has taken a significant step forward with the launch of its industry-leading Automotive-Grade Functional Safety (FuSa) SoC Design Platform. This innovative platform, designed to meet the stringent requirements of ISO 26262, is set to revolutionize the development of intelligent driving systems, empowering automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to deliver safer and more advanced vehicles. Let’s dive into what makes this platform a game-changer and why VeriSilicon is at the forefront of this transformation.

What is the FuSa SoC Design Platform?

Announced in a recent press release, VeriSilicon’s FuSa SoC platform is a comprehensive solution tailored for automotive-grade intelligent driving System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. The platform integrates functional safety intellectual property (IP) cores, advanced verification processes, and one-stop custom silicon services, all aligned with the ISO 26262 standard for automotive functional safety. This standard ensures that electronic systems in vehicles are designed to mitigate risks and maintain safety in the event of malfunctions, a critical requirement for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies.

The platform provides a robust foundation for developing SoCs that power intelligent driving features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and fully autonomous navigation. By offering pre-certified safety-compliant IPs and a streamlined design process, VeriSilicon enables its customers to accelerate development cycles, reduce risks, and achieve automotive-grade certification more efficiently.

Technical Highlights of the Platform

The FuSa SoC platform stands out for its technical sophistication and flexibility. Key features include:

1. ISO 26262 Compliance: The platform adheres to the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL), ensuring that SoCs meet rigorous safety standards for critical automotive applications.
2. Functional Safety IPs: VeriSilicon integrates a suite of safety-compliant IP cores, including processors, image signal processors (ISPs), and neural processing units (NPUs), optimized for low-power and high-performance operation.
3. Comprehensive Design Services: From chip specification and design to verification and automotive-grade certification, VeriSilicon offers end-to-end support, leveraging its SiPaaS model to deliver customized solutions.
4. Support for ADAS and Autonomous Driving: The platform is engineered to handle the complex computational demands of intelligent driving, enabling real-time processing for vision-based algorithms, sensor fusion, and decision-making.

These capabilities make the FuSa SoC platform ideal for automakers and semiconductor companies looking to develop next-generation intelligent driving systems with uncompromising safety.

VeriSilicon’s Expertise in Functional Safety

VeriSilicon’s launch of the FuSa SoC platform builds on its established reputation as a leader in custom silicon services. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Shanghai, VeriSilicon has grown into a global powerhouse, with seven R&D centers and eleven sales offices worldwide. The company’s SiPaaS business model allows it to deliver platform-based, all-around silicon solutions, from chip design to packaging, for applications ranging from consumer electronics to automotive and IoT.

VeriSilicon has a strong track record in functional safety certifications. For example, its Image Signal Processor (ISP) IP has achieved both ISO 26262 (automotive) and IEC 61508 (industrial) certifications, making it a trusted choice for safety-critical applications. The company’s portfolio includes over 1,400 analog and mixed-signal IPs, as well as six types of in-house processor IPs, including GPUs, NPUs, VPUs, DSPs, ISPs, and Display Processors. This extensive IP library enables VeriSilicon to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients.

The FuSa SoC platform is a natural extension of VeriSilicon’s expertise, combining its functional safety know-how with its advanced IP portfolio to address the growing demand for safe and intelligent automotive systems.

Why Functional Safety Matters in Automotive Applications

Functional safety is a cornerstone of modern automotive design, particularly as vehicles become more autonomous. According to the ISO 26262 standard, functional safety involves ensuring that electronic systems operate correctly even in the presence of faults, preventing hazardous failures that could endanger drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. For intelligent driving systems, this means robust error detection, fault tolerance, and fail-safe mechanisms.

The rise of ADAS and autonomous vehicles has intensified the need for functional safety. These systems rely on complex SoCs to process data from cameras, radar, LIDAR, and other sensors in real time, making decisions that directly impact vehicle safety. A single failure in an SoC could have catastrophic consequences, underscoring the importance of platforms like VeriSilicon’s FuSa SoC, which prioritize safety without compromising performance.

Beyond automotive, functional safety is also critical in industrial applications, such as robotics and smart manufacturing, where VeriSilicon’s certified IPs are already making an impact. The FuSa SoC platform’s versatility positions it as a valuable tool for both automotive and industrial markets.

Industry Impact and Future Prospects

The launch of the FuSa SoC platform comes at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry. As global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies surges, semiconductor companies face increasing pressure to deliver high-performance, safety-compliant solutions. VeriSilicon’s platform addresses this challenge head-on, offering a scalable and customizable solution that reduces time-to-market and development costs.

By providing a one-stop shop for FuSa-compliant SoC design, VeriSilicon empowers its customers—ranging from fabless semiconductor firms to system vendors and OEMs—to focus on innovation rather than navigating the complexities of safety certification. This is particularly significant for the intelligent driving market, where rapid advancements in AI and computer vision are driving the need for more powerful and reliable SoCs.

Looking ahead, VeriSilicon’s continued investment in functional safety and intelligent driving technologies positions it as a key player in the semiconductor ecosystem. The company’s collaborations with industry leaders like GLOBALFOUNDRIES, NXP, and Google, as well as its contributions to open-source projects like Project Open Se Cura, demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation across the industry.

Conclusion

VeriSilicon’s Automotive-Grade Functional Safety SoC Design Platform is a landmark achievement in the quest for safer, smarter vehicles. By combining ISO 26262-compliant IPs, advanced design services, and a proven track record in functional safety, VeriSilicon is empowering the automotive industry to accelerate the development of intelligent driving systems. As the world moves closer to a future of autonomous mobility, platforms like FuSa SoC will play a critical role in ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of innovation.

For more information about VeriSilicon’s FuSa SoC platform and its custom silicon services, visit www.verisilicon.com.

Source: VeriSilicon Press Release, www.verisilicon.com/en/PressRelease/FuSaSoC