Memory For Simpler EV And Car Software

The memory tech helps make electric and smart cars easier to build, reduce costs, save time, and allow updates with one flexible hardware platform.

STMicroelectronics has introduced Stellar with xMemory — a new type of embedded memory in its Stellar series of automotive microcontrollers. This aims to simplify the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and new electric vehicle (EV) platforms.

Instead of using different devices with different memory options — which increases development and testing costs — Stellar with xMemory offers a single device with flexible memory. This helps reduce complexity, lower costs, and speed up product development. It also allows carmakers to update and expand their systems more easily in the future.

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“ST has developed the ultimate memory technology for the automobile market with the smallest bit cell to meet the endless need for more memory. Stellar with xMemory will streamline the car architectures of tomorrow, making them more cost-effective and significantly reduce development time for carmakers,” said Luca Rodeschini, Group Vice President and General Purpose and Automotive Microcontrollers Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “This innovative solution enables the same hardware to ensure carmakers have the infrastructure and capabilities with the headroom to continuously innovate their products over time. It provides peace of mind to introduce new innovations in digitalization and electrification, allowing them to stay ahead in the market and extend the lifetime of their vehicles.”

Some of the features of the memory include: 

• Built-in flexible memory that can be expanded as needed
• Uses Phase Change Memory (PCM) for better performance than other memory types
• Smallest memory bit cell available for automotive use
• One hardware platform can be reused across different car models
• Supports regular software updates without changing the hardware
• Reduces development time and testing efforts
• Lowers overall system and supply chain costs
• Designed for software-defined and electric vehicles

“With the embedded Phase Change Memory (PCM) technology, Stellar offers a robust and flexible memory concept to create highly performant, adaptable microcontrollers for automotive usage. The technology provides application advantages compared to other memory technologies, such as RRAM and MRAM,” said Axel Aue, Vice President, Bosch.