5G RedCap Drives Automotive Connectivity: Ceva & UMC Partner for Next-Gen Vehicles

SAN JOSE, CA – November 11, 2023 – As the automotive industry races towards increasingly connected and autonomous vehicles, the demand for efficient and cost-effective communication technologies is soaring. Ceva, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEVA) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) today announced a collaboration to deliver a 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) solution aimed at transforming in-vehicle connectivity and paving the way for advanced automotive applications. The partnership combines Ceva’s leading-edge 5G modem IP with UMC’s robust foundry capabilities, offering a compelling solution for automotive manufacturers seeking to enhance vehicle performance and user experience.

Lowering the Barrier to 5G in Automotive

Traditional 5G deployments, while offering impressive speeds and low latency, come with a significant cost and complexity burden for automotive applications. 5G RedCap addresses these challenges by simplifying the 5G standard, reducing device complexity, and lowering both hardware and operational costs. This makes 5G connectivity more accessible for a wider range of automotive features, including over-the-air (OTA) software updates, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and in-vehicle infotainment.

“The automotive industry is demanding more bandwidth and connectivity than ever before, but they need solutions that are both powerful and cost-effective,” explained an industry analyst familiar with the collaboration. “5G RedCap is perfectly positioned to meet this need, and the combination of Ceva’s IP and UMC’s manufacturing expertise is a strong one.”

The Ceva and UMC solution leverages Ceva’s PentaG 5G modem IP, designed for low power consumption and optimized for the constraints of automotive environments. This IP is integrated with UMC’s 28nm process technology, offering a balance of performance, cost, and reliability. Crucially, UMC’s 5G RedCap SoC has achieved AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualification, ensuring its suitability for automotive applications requiring high levels of quality and dependability.

Beyond Basic Connectivity: Applications Driving Adoption

The potential applications of 5G RedCap in automotive are vast and extend far beyond basic connectivity. Some key areas driving adoption include:

• OTA Updates: Seamless and secure over-the-air software updates are becoming increasingly crucial for modern vehicles, enabling manufacturers to improve vehicle performance, fix bugs, and add new features remotely. 5G RedCap provides the bandwidth and reliability needed for efficient and secure OTA updates.
• ADAS & Autonomous Driving: Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving rely heavily on real-time data exchange and low latency communication. 5G RedCap can enhance the performance of these systems by providing a more reliable and efficient communication channel.
• V2X Communication: Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication allows vehicles to communicate with each other, infrastructure, and pedestrians, improving safety and efficiency. 5G RedCap can facilitate V2X communication by providing a low-latency and reliable communication channel.
• In-Vehicle Infotainment: Passengers expect seamless and high-quality in-vehicle infotainment experiences. 5G RedCap can deliver these experiences by providing high-bandwidth connectivity for streaming video, online gaming, and other applications.

“The future of automotive is connected, and 5G RedCap will play a vital role in enabling this future,” noted an automotive engineer with a leading tier-1 supplier. “The lower cost and complexity of 5G RedCap make it a compelling solution for a wide range of automotive applications.”

The Competitive Landscape & UMC's Automotive Footprint

The 5G RedCap market is rapidly evolving, with several companies vying for leadership. Qualcomm and MediaTek are dominant players in 5G chipsets, while Ericsson and Huawei are focusing on infrastructure solutions. However, UMC brings unique strengths to the table, particularly its established presence in the automotive semiconductor supply chain. The company has a long history of serving automotive manufacturers and a strong reputation for quality and reliability.

UMC’s partnership with Infineon Technologies, a leading supplier of automotive semiconductors, demonstrates its commitment to the automotive industry. The companies recently announced a long-term strategic cooperation agreement to expand capacity for automotive microcontrollers. This collaboration strengthens UMC’s position as a key supplier to the automotive sector.

“UMC’s experience in automotive manufacturing is a significant advantage,” commented an industry analyst. “They understand the stringent quality and reliability requirements of the automotive industry and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products.”

Looking Ahead: Wider Adoption & Future Innovation

The Ceva and UMC collaboration represents a significant step towards wider adoption of 5G RedCap in the automotive industry. The companies are confident that their solution will enable automotive manufacturers to deliver more connected, safer, and more efficient vehicles.

While specific automotive OEM customers for the HyperMotion 5G RedCap platform are not yet publicly announced, UMC is actively engaging with potential customers and expects to see initial deployments in the coming years. The companies are also exploring opportunities to further innovate and enhance their solution, including integrating new features and capabilities.

“We are committed to driving innovation in the automotive industry,” stated a Ceva spokesperson. “5G RedCap is just the beginning. We believe that connected vehicles will transform the way we live and travel, and we are excited to be a part of this transformation.”

The widespread adoption of 5G RedCap is expected to be fueled by the growing demand for connected car features and the increasing affordability of 5G technology. As the automotive industry continues to embrace connectivity, 5G RedCap is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of transportation.