High-End 3D Graphics for Large-Scale Display Instrument Clusters

The R-Car E3 is an upscale to the predecessor R-Car D3 SoC for 3D graphics clusters, that brings enhanced 3D graphics rendering performance. As part of the Renesas R-Car family, the new SoC also offers the functional safety and security functions that are essential for connected cars as the role of human-machine interface (HMI) becomes more important. With these features, the R-Car E3 simplifies the task of developing robust systems capable of dealing safely with both malfunctions and cyberattacks

The single-chip design enables the integration of a variety of systems, significantly reducing overall system development costs and achieving substantial space savings. The R-Car E3 shares the scalability of the R-Car H3 and R-Car M3 for integrated cockpits as well as the R-Car D3 for instrument clusters, establishing the highest level of software reuse. Renesas partner companies with extensive experience in the instrument cluster field are ready to provide operating systems (OS) and HMI tools in addition to system integration support. This will greatly reduce the development burden, extending software support to a wide range of vehicles, from the premium class, which currently features the high-end 3D graphics experience, to entry-class vehicles where integrated systems and full graphics are expected to become mainstream.

“Stringent safety and security requirements are driving the demand for instrument clusters with increasingly rich graphics capabilities to accurately display larger amounts of information to the driver,” said William Asburry, Manager, Electrical Engineering, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). “The ability to present this information in 3D and 2D using high-resolution graphics has become essential for future cluster implementations, and the scalability of Renesas R-Car SoCs with their software assets contributes greatly to implementing the required features and optimizing our development efforts.”

“Graphics cluster systems are extremely important to accurately and reliably convey instrument and IVI information to the driver,” said Ryoichi Nishikawa, General Manager, Cockpit Systems Division, Denso Corporation. “In the future, as the graphics used in these systems become richer, Renesas’ R-Car products will not only allow carmakers to meet drivers’ informational needs but also will also deliver unmatched development efficiency by enabling full utilization of software resources across a wide range of vehicle categories.”

“Full graphic instrument clusters capable of displaying appropriate information to the driver precisely when it is needed will become the industry’s de facto standard as self-driving capabilities and ADAS functionality advance,” said Keiichi Nagano, Executive Manager for Development at Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. “This will require high-performance graphic engines with sophisticated graphic rendering functionality as well as cybersecurity and functional safety. Renesas’ R-Car E3 perfectly meets these new needs and facilitates development next-generation cockpit systems.”

Renesas works with several OS manufacturers, HMI manufacturers, and system integrators who are leading the instrument cluster and IVI fields. System developers can take advantage of a wide range of automotive solutions by working with the more than 250 Renesas R-Car Consortium partner companies to further reduce the number of development steps and cost for 3D graphics in vehicles ranging from entry to premium class.