Audi series-production ready smart antenna. Click to enlarge.

The smart antenna is a product of a long collaboration between Audi’s and Autotalks’ teams.

The solution has met stability and reliability targets. The antenna was tested under heavy network load, while signatures of all packets were verified, demonstrating best-of-breed security performance. V2X stack and application processing capacity exceeded the requirements.

The high integration level of the Autotalks chipset—CRATON (ATK4100) V2X Communication Processor and PLUTON (ATK3100) V2X RF Transceiver—was instrumental to the integration of the required functionality inside the small form factor roof antenna without the necessity of adding an external CPU.

Audi developed a complete set of V2X applications, providing reliable indications to the driver. Autotalks software team accepted the challenge of integrating the V2X applications with the V2X protocol stack, security and positioning on the advanced Autotalks chipset. The use of a standard software allows exchange of information with other ECUs inside the vehicle. Finally, a common continuous integration platform, co-developed by Audi and Autotalks, assured high quality software throughout the project.

—Peter Schuberth, Head of Development Embedded Software of Audi Electronics Venture GmbH

Autotalks provides an automotive-qualified chipset, containing the entire ECU functionality. The unique technology of Autotalks addresses all key V2X challenges: communication reliability, security, positioning accuracy and vehicle installation. Autotalks and STMicroelectronics have formed a strategic partnership for the V2X market, and are working to produce a mass market-optimized second-generation V2X chipset.