Reference implementations

QNX CAR reference implementations for infotainment and instrument clusters run on a variety of automotive development platforms. These reference implementations provide out-of-the-box, operational systems, that significantly reduce the engineering effort required to prototype and productize in-vehicle systems. Automotive suppliers can simply adapt and extend the software to meet the specific needs of an automaker.

The reference implementations build on the QNX CAR application platform, allowing automakers and suppliers to use a common software architecture across a number of applications. With the QNX CAR architecture, the software can be configured and scaled to meet the small footprint needs for instrument cluster applications and the more demanding performance requirements of an infotainment system.

The reference implementations provide an integrated solution consisting of standard QNX products, partner technologies and pre-released technologies from the QNX CAR technology incubator.

Infotainment reference

Today’s vehicle infotainment systems include a large variety of systems, ranging from low-end radios to high-end, multi-zone audio/video systems. The QNX CAR infotainment references provide features typically found in mid range and high-end platforms.

The following features are provided by the infotainment references:

• Rich, compelling user interface that can be easily re-skinned to incorporate the automaker’s look and feel
• A complete media with:
  • Connectivity to Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, and other devices
  • Pandora internet radio
  • Audio and compressed audio playback from CD and USB
  • Intuitive volume, balance and fade control
  • Video playback including DVD video and MPEG4/H.264
• Internet enabled applications such as weather, YouTube and Yahoo Maps
• Games
• Dynamic software update capability
• Climate control user interface
• Customizable screen layout that can be personalized by the driver/passenger
• Handsfree integration with mobile phones

Future versions will incorporate additional capabilities such as navigation and other partner software. The roadmap will be posted in the QNX CAR project.

The QNX CAR infotainment references are available for Freescale i.MX35, Intel Atom, and Renesas 7786 development platforms.

Screenshots

Skinnable infotainment reference

The main screen of the infotainment reference can be reskinned easily, showing your own graphics, logos, and look-and-feel.

 

Connectivity

The digital instrument cluster reference can display album art from a connected infotainment unit.

 

Instrument cluster reference

The instrument cluster is the latest piece of in-cab electronics to move from analog to digital and automakers are seizing this opportunity to leverage this front and center display to differentiate their brand. More and more content is being put at the driver’s disposal. Naturally, displaying this content in a safe, configurable, and brand-defining way within the instrument cluster has dramatic appeal. If done right, these “configurable” clusters can even help to reduce driver distraction. This next generation of instrument clusters will consolidate and render content from a variety of sources such as the vehicle buss, cameras, and navigation systems.

The QNX CAR instrument cluster reference provides a feature set targeted at high-end instrument cluster applications, offering:

• Ability to consolidate a variety of sources into a single, uniform instrument cluster display
• Integration of information from the head unit such as CAN bus data, turn-by-turn navigation information, media “now playing” lists
• Standards-based graphics capabilities leveraging OpenGL ES, OpenVG, and OpenKode to allow a range of display capabilities
• Day / night view display switching
• Configurable metric / imperial units
• Integration with the QNX CAR infotainment reference to display media information
• Rear camera feeds

The instrument cluster reference implementation is available on the Freescale MPC5121 development platform.