STMicroelectronics and Autotalks Ignite Cooperation to Deliver Vehicle-to-Vehicle/Infrastructure Communication for Safer, Cleaner Motoring

Leaders in advanced automotive electronics combine strengths to deliver mass market-optimized second-generation V2X chipset

GENEVA and KFAR NETTER, Israel, Nov 03, 2014 -- As the drive to realize V2X communications — Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) — gathers pace, STMicroelectronics STM, +1.19% a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and Israel-based Autotalks, a V2X-chipset market pioneer and leader in the first wave of V2X deployments, have announced that they are cooperating to deliver a mass market-optimized V2X chipset for widespread deployment by 2017.

IHS forecasts that worldwide vehicle-to-vehicle communication sales will amount to nearly 700,000 units in 2017, rising to 5.6 million units in 2020 and as much as 55 million in 2025. The vast majority of these sales will be in the US and Europe-based on DSRC and the ITS G5 standard-as well as Japan, including both original equipment and aftermarket units. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on V2X. A readiness report indicates that V2X is ready for deployment for achieving dramatic improvement of road safety.

ST and Autotalks are working to produce a mass market-optimized second-generation V2X chipset. The collaboration enables both parties to leverage complementary technologies and resources. Autotalks brings extensive semiconductor, system, and software experience in V2X and associated know-how in security, mobility, communication, RF, signal processing, and positioning. ST offers chip-design expertise in areas such as communications and navigation, with advanced manufacturing capabilities, in addition to extensive strategic partnerships and longevity with all of the automotive tiers to enable broader market evaluation and accelerate adoption of the next-generation chipset.

“Cooperating with ST brings added value to our proven and industry-leading V2X program,” said Nir Sasson, CEO, Autotalks. “Working together, we can extend the scope of the V2X chipset to meet the next-generation objectives, like security and functional safety for autonomous vehicles, that are unmatched by any other similar projects in the industry.”

“Our technological expertise, leading position in automotive semiconductors, and the processes we have established for delivering and supporting advanced automotive ICs, empower us to ensure the success of this project within the 2017 timeframe,” said Marco Monti, Executive Vice President, Automotive Product Group General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “We expect our collaboration with Autotalks to deliver a high-quality and cost-effective solution that will enable widespread deployment of V2X to support a cleaner environment and safer driving for all.”

STMicroelectronics’ fast-prototyping competencies, advanced manufacturing capabilities, high-quality technologies and processes, and global infrastructure will help accelerate time to market, facilitate design-in and customer support, and ensure product longevity.

Technical Notes:

V2X communication uses wireless technology for the exchange of the information between vehicles and infrastructure. In order to support safety-critical applications, V2X is required to operate with extremely low latency, highest reliability of transmission and reception of wireless signals, highly secured communication, and high accuracy of positioning information. It uses primarily the 5.9GHz band and, with ratified standardization, the interoperability of communication, security and messaging is enabled.

Autotalks’ current V2X chipset comprises an AEC Q-100 communication processor and RF transceiver that embodies the company’s multidisciplinary expertise in a worldwide-compatible V2X solution. Autotalks pre-integrated solution accelerates V2X deployment and optimizes V2X system cost, while providing the highest performance and reliability. The second-generation solution further increases the level of integration and cost effectiveness for supporting mass-market requirements.

STMicroelectronics has technical expertise in telematics, car infotainment, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, which complements Autotalks’ superior V2X technology. By taking advantage of ST’s Teseo II and Teseo III state-of-the-art single-chip GNSS receivers, the two companies are able to apply their complementary technologies into convergence of V2X, telematics, and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS).

About Autotalks Ltd.

Autotalks enables the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication revolution by providing fully available automotive qualified VLSI solutions, containing the entire ECU functionality. Autotalks offers the only viable V2X security solution and the only pre-integrated chipset for reducing development schedule and cost.

Autotalks is a privately held company with strong venture capital backing. For more information, visit http://www.auto-talks.com

About STMicroelectronics

ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people’s life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2013, the Company’s net revenues were $8.08 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.