Andes Technology's D45-SE Processor: A Milestone in Automotive Functional Safety

Andes Technology, a leading supplier of high-efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores, has achieved a significant milestone with the certification of its D45-SE processor to the ISO 26262 ASIL-D standard for functional safety. This certification, granted by SGS TÜV, underscores Andes Technology's commitment to providing industry-leading, mission-critical solutions for the automotive industry and beyond.

The D45-SE processor, derived from the production-proven D45, is a 32-bit, 8-stage dual-issue processor that supports the RISC-V GCBP extensions, including single/double precision FPU, 16-bit compression, bit manipulation, draft of packed SIMD/DSP extensions, and Andes performance enhancements. To meet the rigorous demands of safety-critical applications, the D45-SE incorporates numerous safety features, such as:

1. Dual-core lockstep (DCLS): A real-time diagnostic safety circuit that utilizes an additional processor and a set of comparators to enhance diagnostic coverage, ensuring reliable operation in safety-critical scenarios.
2. Error-correcting code (ECC) for memory soft error protection: Protects against memory soft errors, ensuring the integrity of data and preventing system failures.
3. Bus protection: Secures bus transactions, ensuring the integrity of data transfers between the processor and other components in the system.
4. Core trap status bus interface: Provides real-time trap status information from the core, allowing for immediate detection and response to errors or exceptions.
5. StakSafe™: A hardware mechanism that protects the stack, maintaining the same outstanding 6.12 Coremark/MHz performance as the D45 processor.



The D45-SE's split-mode functionality enables more flexible and efficient system designs in automotive electronics, allowing two cores to run independently when split-lock is configured. This feature offers improved resource utilization, enhanced fault tolerance, better support for diverse applications, easier system integration, and potential cost savings for customers.

Andes Technology's D45-SE processor has garnered recognition from key players in the automotive ecosystem, such as BeanPod, Cidana, IAR, Lauterbach, and LDRA. These partnerships and endorsements further validate the D45-SE's competitive position and demonstrate its value in the market.

In conclusion, Andes Technology's D45-SE processor, with its advanced safety features and ASIL-D certification, is a significant milestone in the automotive functional safety landscape. Its split-mode functionality enables more flexible and efficient system designs, making it an attractive choice for customers seeking reliable and safe solutions in the automotive industry and beyond.