Vector is expanding its modular development platform for software-defined vehicles with the new embedded software product MICROSAR IO. This solution is specially designed for low-cost microcontrollers with limited resources and requires only 32k ROM and 8k RAM. It includes not only the operating system, but also communication and software update functions. MICROSAR IO is fully integrated into the VS Code PlatformIO extension, allowing developers to perform end-to-end IoT development within a single environment. This reduces the need to switch between different tools and optimizes the entire development cycle from project configuration to hardware build, download and debugging.
The solution offers a user-friendly development environment with simple project configuration and platform I/O integration. By supporting cost-effective hardware, MICROSAR IO enables optimized communication processes for CAN, LIN, UART and SPI. In addition, the system can be seamlessly integrated into OEM vehicle networks and meets the highest safety and reliability requirements with ASIL-D support.
A cooperation project with Infineon led to the development of a new “Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)” specification. This was specially designed for microcontrollers with limited memory requirements and facilitates the integration and reusability of embedded software through standardized interfaces. The new HAL specification was successfully implemented for the driver of Infineon’s PSOC4 HV automotive microcontroller, with MICROSAR IO serving as the basic software. The specification is also available to other semiconductor manufacturers and offers a future-proof basis for the development of resource-saving control units. (oe)
