company blog about INFINEON SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD Single-Chip AURIX™ TC39x 32-Bit Automotive MCU

INFINEON SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD Single-Chip AURIX™ TC39x 32-Bit Automotive MCU

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading supplier and recycler in the electronic components industry, now supplies and recycles the Infineon SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD Single-Chip AURIX™ TC39x 32-bit Automotive Microcontroller.

The Infineon SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD is a high-performance, high-security single-chip 32-bit automotive microcontroller (MCU) within the AURIX™ TC39x series. Built upon Infineon's second-generation AURIX™ architecture and utilising a 40nm embedded flash process, it is specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern automotive electronics for computational power, security, and connectivity. Widely applicable to core automotive control scenarios and high-end industrial applications, it stands as a benchmark automotive-grade core control chip that balances performance and reliability.

I. Overview of the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD Core

As one of the flagship models within the AURIX™ TC3xx family, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD centres on three core strengths: a high-performance multi-core architecture, comprehensive security redundancy, and extensive connectivity interfaces. It targets core control scenarios within automotive electronics while delivering industrial-grade reliability. Its exceptionally high single-chip integration significantly simplifies system design and reduces hardware costs. Through backward-compatible hardware and software design, it enables seamless migration from first-generation AURIX™ products, enhancing R&D efficiency. It aligns with automotive trends towards electrification, intelligence, and connectivity while also addressing high-end non-automotive applications such as industrial automation.

This chip belongs to Infineon's AURIX™ TC39x series, which has become a mainstream choice in the global automotive electronics sector due to its flexible scalability, outstanding security performance, and efficient computing power output. As a core model within the series, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD achieves leading levels in computing power, memory, security rating, and interface configuration among comparable products. It meets the highest ASIL-D functional safety requirements and is suitable for the design needs of various high-end automotive control units.

II. Core Technical Features of SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD

High-Performance Multi-Core Architecture with Robust Computing Power

The SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD incorporates six 32-bit TriCore™ 1.8 cores, operating at a maximum frequency of 300MHz. It additionally integrates four supplementary checker lockstep cores, delivering a total computational capacity of 4000 DMIPS. This architecture combines the high computational power of RISC, the high code density of CISC, and the signal processing capabilities of DSP, enabling efficient handling of multi-task parallel computations. It effortlessly addresses the complex algorithmic demands of automotive applications such as powertrain control, chassis control, and advanced driver assistance systems.

The core supports both fixed-point and floating-point operations, enabling complex mathematical calculations and signal processing without requiring additional coprocessors. This significantly enhances the execution efficiency of control algorithms, achieving millisecond-level response times in scenarios such as motor vector control and sensor fusion, thereby ensuring control precision. Furthermore, the chip employs a three-level cache architecture (‘L1+L2+L3’), with each core equipped with an independent L1 cache (32KB instruction cache + 32KB data cache), alongside integrated shared L2 and L3 caches. This effectively reduces memory access latency, further unleashing computational potential, with storage access latency as low as 8ns.

Comprehensive security redundancy meets the highest safety standards

The SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD is specifically engineered for automotive functional safety, fully compliant with ISO 26262 standards and supporting the highest ASIL-D rating. It represents an ideal choice for controlling core safety domains in vehicles. Its safety architecture employs a redundant design, with six TriCore™ cores configurable in lockstep mode. Coupled with an independent Security Control Module (SCM), it achieves physical isolation between core computation and safety monitoring. This enables real-time detection of computational errors with rapid response, ensuring safe system operation even under fault conditions.

The chip integrates the EVITA Full hardware security module (HSM), supporting ECC 256 encryption and SHA-2 hash algorithms. It provides secure boot, firmware encryption, and data encryption protection, effectively preventing firmware tampering and data theft while balancing functional safety and information security. Furthermore, the chip's integrated storage units (flash memory, SRAM) support ECC error checking, automatically detecting and correcting errors during data transmission and storage to enhance system reliability. Redundant and diverse timer modules (GTM, CCU 6, GPT 12) provide additional safeguards for security control.

Extensive storage and connectivity interfaces to accommodate diverse application scenarios

Regarding storage configuration, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD integrates 16MB of embedded flash memory (with ECC protection) and 2.9MB of SRAM (with ECC protection). The flash memory employs a mirrored storage bank design with A/B swap functionality, supporting over-the-air (OTA) software updates. This enables seamless software refreshes without hardware disassembly, enhancing post-deployment maintenance efficiency. Ample storage capacity accommodates complex control algorithms, vast sensor data storage, and multi-tasking programme execution. It also supports expandable storage interfaces for higher-capacity scenarios.

Connectivity interfaces are exceptionally comprehensive, covering mainstream automotive electronic communication protocols:

- 1 Gigabit Ethernet

- 12 FlexRay channels 12x CAN FD, 2x FlexRay, 12x LIN, 4x QSPI, 2x I²C, 25x SENT, 6x PSI, 2x HSSL, 4x MSC, and 1x eMMC/SDIO. This enables flexible integration with diverse automotive sensors, actuators, and vehicle gateways for high-speed data transmission and interaction. The extensive interface configuration significantly enhances the chip's compatibility and scalability, enabling the construction of complex in-vehicle control systems without requiring additional communication chips.

High reliability and low power consumption, adapted for extreme in-vehicle environments

As an automotive-grade chip, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD demonstrates outstanding environmental adaptability. operating within a temperature range of -40°C to 125°C. It maintains stable performance in extreme thermal conditions such as engine compartments and chassis, distinguishing itself from the BC variant (-40°C to 105°C) with superior high-temperature resilience. This makes it particularly suitable for high-heat applications like engine control and exhaust system management. The chip employs a BGA-292 package, delivering effective thermal dissipation and robust immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) within automotive environments, complying with relevant automotive electronics standards.

Power consumption control is outstanding, with operating power below 2W. It supports multiple low-power modes that can be flexibly switched based on system operating status. In scenarios such as vehicle idling or sleep mode, it effectively reduces overall vehicle power consumption, helping new energy vehicles extend their range. Additionally, the chip employs a single-voltage power supply design, supporting either 5V or 3.3V supply, simplifying power circuit design and reducing hardware costs and design complexity.

III. Key Technical Specifications of SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD

Core Configuration: 6 x 32-bit TriCore™ 1.8 cores at 300MHz; 4 x checker lockstep cores, delivering 4000 DMIPS total processing power

Memory Capacity: 16MB embedded flash (ECC-protected), 2.9MB SRAM (ECC-protected)

Functional Safety Level: ISO 26262 ASIL-D

Hardware Security Module: EVITA Full HSM (supporting ECC 256, SHA 2)

Communication Interfaces: 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 12x CAN FD, 2x FlexRay, 12x LIN, 4x QSPI, 2x I²C, etc.

Operating Temperature: -40°C to 125°C

Supply Voltage: 5V or 3.3V (single-voltage supply)

Package Type: BGA-292

Power Consumption: Operating power consumption < 2W

Software Support: Supports AUTOSAR 4.2

IV. Primary Application Scenarios for SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD

Leveraging its high performance, security, and reliability, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD finds extensive application in core automotive electronics control domains while also serving high-end industrial automation scenarios. Specific applications include:

Automotive Electronics Domain

- Powertrain Control: Engine Control Units (ECUs), Transmission Control (hydraulic/electronically controlled dual-clutch transmissions), transfer case control, petrol multi-point injection/direct injection systems. Its high-temperature adaptability and computational power enable precise control of power output and fuel efficiency.

- New Energy Vehicle Control: (H)EV Battery Management Systems (BMS), main inverters, DC-DC converters, and charging station controllers. Supports high-computational parallel processing to ensure stable operation of new energy vehicle powertrains;

- Chassis and Safety Control: Chassis domain controllers, braking systems, electric power steering (EPS), airbag systems, and active suspension control systems. Leveraging ASIL-D safety ratings and redundant design to safeguard driving safety;

- Advanced Driver Assistance and Connectivity: Advanced gateway architecture, telematics control unit (TCU), V2X communication modules, multi-purpose camera control, and sensor fusion. Leveraging extensive interfaces and high computational power to enable ADAS functionality;

- Body and Other Controls: Premium body domain controllers, wireless charging solutions, pixel lighting control, and 24GHz/77GHz automotive radar systems, adapting to automotive intelligence and connectivity upgrade requirements.

Industrial Automation Sector

- Industrial Control: Industrial robot controllers, servo drives, PLCs, and I/O controllers, meeting complex industrial control demands through high reliability and robust computing power;

- Renewable Energy Generation: Solar panel controllers and wind turbine inverters, featuring excellent environmental adaptability for stable operation in extreme outdoor conditions;

- Other Industrial Applications: Lift controllers and industrial sensor nodes, featuring extensive interfaces and low-power design to simplify industrial control system deployment.

Other Domains

Commercial and Agricultural Vehicle (CAV) control systems, CAV 24GHz radar systems, and drone/multirotor controllers, offering high reliability and flexible interface configurations for diverse high-end control scenarios.

V. Core Advantages of the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD Product

1. Performance Leadership: Multi-core architecture paired with high-frequency clock speeds delivers robust computational output. Three-level cache design reduces access latency, enabling efficient processing of complex control algorithms and multi-task parallel demands;

2. Safety and Reliability: Achieves the highest ASIL-D safety rating. Comprehensive redundancy design combined with a hardware security module ensures both functional safety and information security, making it suitable for automotive core safety domain control.

3. High Integration: A single chip integrates extensive storage, interfaces, and control modules, eliminating the need for additional auxiliary chips. This simplifies system design and reduces hardware costs.

4. Flexible compatibility: Supports AUTOSAR 4.2, with hardware and software compatibility to first-generation AURIX™ products enabling seamless migration and enhanced R&D efficiency; backward compatible with low-cost AURIX™ TC3xx series models, offering excellent scalability;

5. Robust Environmental Adaptability: Operates across a wide temperature range of -40°C to 125°C with low-power design, suited for extreme automotive environments and industrial outdoor applications, delivering outstanding reliability.

VI. Summary of SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD

As the flagship model of the AURIX™ TC39x series, Infineon's SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD establishes itself as a benchmark product in automotive core control applications. Its high-performance multi-core architecture, ASIL-D safety redundancy, extensive interface configuration, and exceptional environmental adaptability also address demanding industrial automation scenarios. Its single-chip integrated design, hardware/software compatibility, and high reliability not only meet the stringent demands of automotive electrification, intelligence, and connectivity but also provide customers with cost-effective control solutions. This empowers clients to enhance product competitiveness and drive technological advancement in automotive electronics and industrial automation. Whether in core automotive applications such as powertrain and chassis safety, or industrial scenarios including robotic automation and renewable energy generation, the SAK-TC397XP-256F300S BD leverages its comprehensive performance advantages to deliver core control functionality. This high-end 32-bit automotive-grade microcontroller seamlessly integrates performance, safety, and reliability.