ST's new Cartesio+ processor for
automotive infotainment and portable navigation systems
STMicroelectronics has introduced Cartesio+, a new application
processor with embedded GPS for next-generation in-car and
portable navigation systems. Featuring improved processing
power and positioning accuracy with a large set of integrated
peripherals, ST's Cartesio+ is targeted for designing cost-
and space-efficient navigation and infotainment applications
with better user experience.
"Capitalizing on the success of the first-generation
Cartesio application processor, which made ST into one of
the leading suppliers for GPS- enabled System-on-Chip ICs,
the next-generation Cartesio+ offers high integration and
high-performance features, while meeting the constraints
of cost-sensitive applications," said Domenico Rossi,
General Manager of ST's Car Radio and Multimedia Division.
"It is a cutting-edge System-on-Chip device that offers
high-sensitivity embedded positioning capabilities and meets
the power requirements of portable applications, while satisfying
the most stringent automotive quality constraints."
The Cartesio+ System-on-Chip is manufactured in ST's 55nm
process technology and integrates ARM1176 processor with
a GPS/Galileo positioning subsystem enhanced with indoor
sensitivity, 3D graphics engine, and a set of connectivity
peripherals, including multiple SD/MMC, CAN and USB with
integrated physical layers.
The device's embedded graphics acceleration engine is optimized
for 3D map content rendering using ST's patented anti-aliasing
technique. This technology smooth jagged edges in digital
images improving map readability, without impacting on processor
performance. Cartesio+ also provides a video input port
for connecting auxiliary devices, such as a rear-view camera
for safe parking. It has a built-in hardware JPEG decoder
for fast picture browsing without taxing the chip's main
processing resources.
Cartesio's features power management capabilities, based
on 'power island' technology, which allows areas of the
chip to operate at different voltages. This IC also supports
dynamic scaling of the core frequency to improve battery
life for portable applications.
To speed up the design ST is offering cost-optimized kit
for portable navigation devices, built around Cartesio+,
which couples the application processor with ST's STA5630
advanced GPS RF chip with integrated Low-Noise Amplifier,
and three other key components from the ST's portfolio:
the STW4210 power management chip, an audio processing amplifier/LED
display driver, and the STA2500D Bluetooth controller.
Cartesio+ is a scalable device available with two different
feature sets: the STA2064 and STA2065, which have been optimized
for BOM-sensitive and performance-demanding applications,
respectively.
Availability: Now
