CIS is in the midst of a software explosion. The size of car navigation software, for example, is already in the order of several million steps. Often, the efficiency of the software development process can be improved by utilizing middleware — the proven software components various suppliers offer for key areas. The COMET Consortium, a Renesas-sponsored organization now operating in the USA, brings together companies that cooperate to promote CIS applications and support developers of automotive systems that use Renesas processors. This organization will expand to Japan and Europe, tailoring its activities to the needs of customers in those regions.

The use of software components is an important issue in the efficient development of large-scale systems like CIS products. For automotive applications, Renesas offers to customers using SuperH processors a wide range of proven middleware products — some that we have developed, but most of which come from various third-party expert suppliers. This middleware lets system developers substantially reduce the workload associated with CIS development, which typically involves large-scale software development. It also shortens the time it takes to get new systems into production.

Numerous and diverse software components have been made available through Renesas' close collaborations with its technology partners. We have expended a great deal of effort over many years establishing the network of third-party experts that now supports our processors. The size of this support community is unmatched, an important competitive advantage and one that greatly benefits our customers.

In the automotive field, Renesas has actively built close business relationships with many different companies to encourage the proliferation of products and services that support our SH7770 and SH7760 processors and other devices for CIS applications. We sponsored and launched the successful COMET™ (Community enabling telematics) Consortium in the United States in 2002, an organization that addresses key issues hindering telematics growth. To facilitate solutions, this cooperative group has assembled 24 essential software and middleware technologies and ported/optimized them to the SuperH RISC architecture incorporated in a flexible system platform developed by Renesas. The primary processor powering the platform for applications in North America is the SH7760 telematics chip.

The products offered by the current roster of COMET member companies cover a wide range: operating systems, databases, protocol stacks, interfaces, speech-recognition software, echo cancellers, storage-related products, and more. Figure 1 illustrates just a fraction of them.

Because the automotive industry and CIS applications differ regionally, Renesas will start a Japanese version of the COMET Consortium in mid 2005, inviting both technology partners and system integrators (SIs) to join (see figure 2). Rather than focus on the SH7760, as was the case in the USA, the consortium in Japan will emphasize system solutions based mainly on the SH7770 processor.

The system integrators planning to join the Japanese consortium are mainly companies that have extensive experience in automotive systems. These firms include Akita Electronics Systems, Hitachi Advanced Digital, Hitachi Engineering, Hitachi Software Engineering, Hitachi ULSI Systems, and Hitachi Systems & Services.

Like COMET in the USA, members of the consortium in Japan will provide operating systems, middleware, and similar solutions, while Renesas focuses on chip development and platform development. However, rather than treating operating systems and middleware as separate components, the consortium will supply them as part of a platform to deliver a system solution. Customers will be able to acquire from the Japanese COMET consortium an efficient development environment without having to produce their own, saving time and expense.

The system integrators in the consortium will provide support, consultations, custom software development, and similar services. In some cases, Renesas customers they may ask them to help set up a platform. There are significant advantages to this. In particular, an integrator can optimize the platform to suit the exact requirements of a specific application. Also, it can apply experience from previous CIS projects to aid the development of custom software. Moreover, customers that work with a system integrator can obtain end-to-end support, from initial consultations when the system is being conceived, right through to support for development of the production system.

The expectations for the semiconductors used in CIS products continue to grow, not just in terms of device improvements but also in relation to collaboration with other fields. Clearly, semiconductors are carving out an ever more important role in the automotive industry.

The many advanced solutions Renesas provides for the CIS sector are based on the latest technology and incorporate the considerable in-depth knowledge we have accumulated serving many different markets. We will continue to utilize our strengths to contribute to the march of progress in CIS applications. Our chips will help bring increased levels of safety and convenience to drivers and passengers, wherever they may be.