Qualcomm Highlights New Snapdragon Digital Chassis For Future Connected Cars

Global chipmaker and leading wireless technology innovator, Qualcomm, has introduced new and enhanced solutions for its expanding automotive technology portfolio. It was developed by subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., to meet the increasing demand for premium driving experiences and in-vehicle connectivity services.

To enhancing the Snapdragon Digital Chassis connected vehicle platforms, Qualcomm Technologies also introduced a feature for Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services i.e. Connectivity-as-a-Service. This brings new technology collaborations to support out-of-the-box connectivity, integrated analytics and a cloud and device developer environment aimed to deliver new technology features, content and services globally. Integral components of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis are the Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform and Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services which will help build intelligent vehicles that are safer, customisable, immersive and continually upgradeable.

Additionally, Qualcomm Technologies highlighted an integrated application framework for developing telematics and cloud-connected applications and services i.e. the Snapdragon Telematics Applications Framework. It also introduced a new WiFi 6E automotive chipset engineered to increase bandwidth for WiFi applications and deliver content at higher speeds.

Utilising the company’s extensive history of supplying the transportation industry with automotive connectivity solutions, these latest enhancements will empower automakers to redefine the driving experience for consumers, while also creating opportunities for the automotive ecosystem to develop and deliver new, revenue-generating digital services.

“At Qualcomm Technologies, we understand that automakers need unique, comprehensive and connected solutions to meet dynamic demands and power 21st century vehicles,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president and GM, automotive, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By expanding our in-vehicle connectivity offerings to provide a transformative, scalable, extensive suite of solutions through the Snapdragon Digital Chassis, we are confident the automotive industry will be able to deliver the unmatched next-generation driving experiences customers deserve.”

The Snapdragon Digital Chassis is a set of open and scalable cloud-connected platforms that use a unified architecture to support enhanced safety and immersive digital experiences that can be updated throughout the lifetime of next-generation vehicles. Automakers have the option to adopt any or all of these platforms across their product range to offer highly customisable experiences.

The Connectivity-as-a-Service feature is designed to support a highly customised user experience that can be continually refreshed throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services promises to provide a seamless upgrade path with the ability to expand system performance and features, while also having the capability to enable new digital services.

Connectivity-as-a-Service expands these capabilities to provide global connectivity on Snapdragon Telematics SOC-based (system-on-chip) NAD (network access device) modules along with an API-driven (application programming interface) developer environment. This enables on-device and cloud-enhanced apps/services. Fueled by telemetry data and advanced data insights from connected vehicles, the tools provided in the developer environment solve for complexities that OEMs face when building connected services on telematics hardware.

Further, Qualcomm Technologies is highlighting new technology collaborations to support Connectivity-as-a-Service and the delivery of new technology features and digital services globally. These new collaborations include:

• Cognizant, a leading professional services company using its global automotive cloud and device expertise to help transform automakers into modern enterprises. Leveraging its deep understanding of the auto industry and proven reusable components, ready-to-use test frameworks and system integration expertise, Cognizant will work with Qualcomm Technologies to integrate and tailor Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services for automakers, with the goal of delivering rich, immersive personalized in-vehicle experiences, new connected solutions and better on-demand services.
• Cubic Telecom, an award-winning global connectivity solutions provider. The solution created from Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services with Cubic’s software products (Pace, Insights and PLXOR) provides a single point of control for global out-of-the-box connectivity on Snapdragon Telematics SOC-based NAD modules, with support for bundled data and services. The solution also solves for regional regulation complexities with built-in compliance across regional markets.

Additionally, integrated into the Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform is the Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework which is utilised to simplify application development. Open source and scalable, this set of software tools is designed to seamlessly connect to Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services. This allows automotive developers to use telematics functionality across all platforms within the Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Through the Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework, developers can access a unified development environment with common APIs, which aids in reducing cost complexities when integrating technology features such as 5G, location services, memory and security into cloud-based applications and services.

Designed to address fragmentation and enable common application development across vehicle lines, the Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework is compatible with present and future platforms within the Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Anticipated to be available in early 2022, plus ongoing enhancements for new features and services, the new application framework allows developers to focus on their core expertise when creating applications that use telematics functionality to bring rich, immersive experiences with enhanced safety to modern vehicles.

To further increase bandwidth for connected applications and services, Qualcomm Technologies also introduced the Qualcomm QCA6698AQ, a WiFi 6E 4-Stream Dual Band Simultaneous (DBS) plus Bluetooth version 5.3 combination chip for automotive applications. Built on the latest Qualcomm FastConnect systems, the QCA6698AQ offers simultaneous 802.11ax Dual MAC (multi-accumulate) operation in both 2.4 Ghz and the expanded 5/6 GHz band, to enable one of the highest WiFi speeds in an AEC-Q100 qualified device. Designed to address the complexity of today’s ultra-dynamic automotive ecosystem, the Qualcomm QCA6698AQ is engineered to deliver rich in-vehicle entertainment, exceptional audio experiences, and to dramatically increase bandwidth for concurrent WiFi applications. Samples are available today with automotive grade qualification expected by late 2022.

To learn more about the Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Qualcomm Technologies’ automotive offerings, visit https://www.qualcomm.com/products/automotive