SOAFEE - Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge

2021: SOAFEE Architecture Creation

On August 15, 2021, Arm announced the development of a new software architecture (software) and reference implementation, a scalable open architecture for embedded peripherals (SOAFEE), as well as two new hardware platforms to accelerate the software-defined future of the automotive industry.

As vehicle architectures and capabilities evolve, automotive system developers are faced with the increasing complexity of the code needed to create advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), on-board infotainment systems, electrified power units and autonomy. To meet these changing consumer requirements, computing needs to become more centralized, and software becomes increasingly important to ensure this. As a result of changes in software development, deployment, and management, cloud development, best known for reducing cost, time, and complexity in the cloud infrastructure industry, is more applicable to automotive development than ever before.

ARM has released an open architecture for replacing electronics in cars with programs

However, in order to quickly and seamlessly meet the needs of modern cars in the software, it is necessary to create a standardized framework that will improve proven cloud technologies that work at scale with the real-time and security functions required in automotive applications. The same framework can be useful for other real-time and security-critical applications, such as robotics and industrial automation.

Along with the Volkswagen tire manufacturer, Continental a number of software companies and a provider of public cloud services AWS plan to jointly develop a service-oriented structure for an open standard interface.

The automotive sector is at a critical breaking point, and the supply chain from intellectual property design to automakers is being reviewed and rethought. Industry has asked Arm and its ecosystem to accelerate the vision of a programmatic future. Thanks to Arm's unique position in the supply chain, we lead a collaborative effort that provides standards, software, developer resources and specialized computing platforms designed to meet the security and needs of automotive applications in real time, "said Chet Babla, Vice President of Automotive and IoT Line of Business at Arm.

SOAFEE is the result of cooperation between automakers, system integrators, semiconductor leaders, software and cloud technologies to define a new architecture based on open standards for a software-defined car. In addition, the SOAFEE implementation, which is an implementation of the Special Interest Group (SIG) architecture, will be free open source software designed for extensive prototyping, workload learning, and early development. Arm works with leading commercial solution vendors to ensure maximum compatibility and a faster path to functionally secure designs.

The timing of the development of new automotive applications should be as fast and trouble-free as possible. SOAFEE's immediate availability will enable cloud developers to apply their expertise and contribute to the future of Arm-based mobility.

In partnership with ADLink, Arm provides unlimited performance on a new SystemReady-compatible development platform to help accelerate time to market. Based on Arm Neoverse-based Ampere Altra cores, the platform will allow you to explore and develop workloads using the SOAFEE reference software stack for such applications. The developer platform consists of a developer workstation and a robust automotive product, and both are available for pre-order, and overall availability is expected in Q4 2021.^[1]

Software-defined functionality is a growing trend in many industries, and the combined SOAFEE solution and the new development platform will find application in other areas, including robotics in medicine, manufacturing and logistics. In the automotive industry, software-defined functionality will provide a safe, new automotive experience and functions that meet the requirements and expectations of consumers, and, most importantly, will open up new revenue streams and opportunities to attract customers to automakers, software providers and cloud service providers.^[2]

Notes