Freescale Semiconductor has added what it calls a virtual prototyping capability to its automotive Power Architecture microcontroller range.

Based on modeling technology from VaST Systems, the concept of virtual prototyping is expected to be of interest to developers which commonly use simulation and modeling as a substitute for the target hardware, particularly in powertrain management systems that control emissions and fuel efficiency.

“The automotive industry faces steep software complexity challenges driven by more stringent safety, emissions and fuel economy requirements,” said Jeff Roane, v-p of marketing at VaST.

The software will provide fast simulation speed and the functional accuracy required by many electronic control unit (ECU) suppliers. 

According to Peter Schulmeyer, Freescale’s director of strategy for automotive MCUs. “Virtualisation provides automotive developers with early access to pre-silicon development, key technology and validation capabilities.”

VSPs are available for Freescale’s MPC5554, MPC5566, and MPC5565 Power Architecture MCUs. These are based on VaST Systems’ Virtual Processor Models (VPMs) for the e200Z6 core and the enhanced timer processing unit (eTPU).

Designers can use traditional tools, compilers, debuggers and integrated development environments (IDEs) running on virtual hardware to develop software, test/validation suites and perform system architecture analysis before receiving silicon samples.

Freescale plans to add model availability to select current and future 32-bit MCU products for advanced safety, body electronics and next-generation powertrain applications.