Automated driving is gradually moving into mobility. With each development step, ever larger amounts of data have to be processed so that the vehicles can react quickly to the given environmental situation. As a partner in a research project on autonomous mining vehicles, AT&S is developing a robust connection concept for a high-performance computer chip.
In their search for a pioneering application in the field of autonomous driving, the developers of the CHARM (Challenging Environments Tolerant Smart Systems for IoT and AI) research project found what they were looking for in an industry that many would not think of first: an autonomous mining vehicle. With this challenging use case, it was possible to ensure that a reliable concept is available that can also be used for all other applications in the field of autonomous driving.
In the mining sector, autonomously driving machines such as mega trucks are used on a daily basis - and under difficult environmental conditions such as large temperature fluctuations, dust or humidity. This places high demands on the components used, especially the electronics. Finding solutions to these challenges is the aim of the CHARM research project, in which PCB manufacturer AT&S is also involved. Companies and research institutes from ten different countries are working together on the development of high-performance computer modules. These are to be used in fully autonomous mining vehicles.
AT&S's contribution is to develop a robust and resistant connection concept for a high-performance computer chip. In the concept development phase, a measurement chip will be used to test and validate system stability and reliability. In a later phase, this chip is replaced by a high-performance processor that is embedded in a substrate - the translator between the structures of the printed circuit board and the nanostructures of the microchip. This enables high data processing speed with a high degree of miniaturization. This is what makes it possible for mining machines to perform complex tasks autonomously, while at the same time guaranteeing a high degree of operational reliability thanks to their stable design.
Although the development work is focused on mining, the results of the work can also be used for automated driving for cars and trucks. Initial collaborations are already underway with the automotive supply industry, which also demands high reliability and safety under different environmental conditions for system-relevant parts.
The three-year CHARM project is being implemented as part of the ECSEL (Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership) initiative. The public-private partnership initiated by the EU aims to drive innovation in electronic components and systems and improve Europe's competitiveness in the age of the digital economy.
The project involves 37 partners from ten European countries with a total budget of €29 million. Co-funding is provided by ECSEL, EU Horizon 2020, the national funding agencies of the participating countries and the consortium partners. The partners come from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.
