ROHM Partners with Nanjing SemiDrive Technology Ltd., China’s SoC Manufacturer of Next-Generation Cockpits, to Develop Automotive Solutions

Global semiconductor supplier ROHM, together with SemiDrive Technology, a leading automotive-grade chip vendor in China, have signed an advanced technology development partner for the automotive field.

ROHM and SemiDrive have been engaged in technology exchange since 2019, mainly on the development of applications for vehicle cockpits. As the first fruits of this effort, SemiDrive’s automotive SoC (X9 series) solution board equipped with ROHM’s PMIC is now available as a solution.

Signing Ceremony:
Maggie Qiu (left), CEO, Nanjing SemiDrive Technology Ltd.
Raita Fujimura (right), Chairman, ROHM Semiconductor (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

SemiDrive’s latest automotive SoCs (X9 series) has already been adopted by a number of automakers to provide advanced functionality for cockpits and other vehicle applications. At the same time, ROHM’s SerDes IC achieves low power consumption by optimizing the video transmission rate, while ROHM’s PMICs not only integrate the power supply system and functions required for SoC but a high-speed response function as well that improves power conversion efficiency and reduces component count. Both products combine low-noise technology and compliance with the ISO 26262 functional safety standard, maximizing the specifications for automotive SoC, and contributing to greater energy savings, miniaturization, and safety in-vehicle applications. Through this partnership, the two companies will continue to contribute to technological innovation in the automotive field by collaborating in a wide range of areas, such as car infotainment, connectivity, ADAS, and autonomous driving.

Maggie Qiu, CEO, Nanjing SemiDrive Technology Ltd.

As vehicles become increasingly smart, so too does the demand for car electronics and components. We are very pleased to be partnering with ROHM, a world-renowned semiconductor manufacturer. Working together will allow us to develop a domain controller solution for digital cockpits that meet both market and customer demands. At the same time, we look forward to broadening and deepening our partnership with ROHM in the future.

Kazuhide Ino, Managing Executive Officer, CSO, ROHM Co., Ltd.

We are delighted to partner with SemiDrive, a company with extensive experience in automotive SoCs. As ADAS evolves and cockpits become more multifunctional, the performance of vehicle cameras and video transmission technology must improve, increasing the role of semiconductors such as SerDes ICs. To this end, we will continue to deepen exchanges with SemiDrive and accelerate the development of a wide range of products utilizing ROHM’s cutting-edge technologies that can contribute to the further evolution of electric vehicles by providing solutions that combine peripheral components.

SemiDrive’s X9H Solution Board Equipped with ROHM Products

In addition to SemiDrive’s cockpit SoC X9H, a solution board is available that incorporates memory, an audio I/F, Ethernet port, and communication module, together with ROHM’s SerDes IC (for display/camera) and PMIC. This makes it possible to offer a cockpit solution that allows up to 4 screen projections.

Users can run multiple operating systems (OS) on a single X9H based on SemiDrive’s unique hardware virtualization support capabilities, and share access to CPU/GPU and other resources through the built-in hardware security management module. At the same time, using pin-to-pin compatible products allows all-around upgrades in performance and applications to be quickly changed without circuit modifications.

・ROHM’s SerDes IC and PMIC

SerDes ICs that provide high-speed data transmission and PMICs that manage multiple power supply systems are increasingly being used in cockpits and other vehicle applications. Click here for more information.