Infineon Technologies AG has launched a 400 MHz performance option for its AURIX TC3x automotive microcontroller family. This higher-speed variant is designed to handle growing software complexity and real-time processing needs in applications like powertrain, chassis, and zone or domain control. It allows OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to enhance functionality without switching platforms, reducing costs and integration challenges. By building on the established AURIX TC3x architecture, the new 400 MHz devices offer faster deployment, lower integration risk, and protection of existing software, safety strategies, and hardware investments.
Vera Polland, Head of Product Line Propulsion Systems and Electrification at Infineon, explained that ECU program expansion is often limited by performance rather than concept. The 400 MHz AURIX TC3x helps customers scale real-time software and implement advanced safety features, supporting software-defined vehicle development while remaining compatible with proven architectures and compliance standards.
The 400 MHz AURIX TC3x microcontrollers increase CPU frequency by up to one third compared to earlier TC3x models, delivering critical headroom to meet the growing demands of real-time compute tasks. This allows automakers to implement more complex control algorithms, expand diagnostic features, and meet new communication requirements while preserving deterministic real-time behavior essential for safety applications. By significantly reducing the migration risk and redesign effort required for performance upgrades, the 400 MHz devices help teams fast-track ECU enhancements while staying on schedule.
Typical applications of the 400 MHz AURIX TC3x include engine management systems (EMS), chassis control, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). For example, in EMS, the added processing headroom enables the integration of tighter real-time control loops while meeting emissions and diagnostics standards like Euro 7 and China 7. This ensures compliance while managing complex aftertreatment systems without delays or timing compromises.
In chassis and safety-critical systems like electronic stability control (ESC), the higher performance supports enhanced response times during safety maneuvers, allowing for increased sensor inputs and robust diagnostics. ADAS and domain controllers can also benefit from the ability to run more advanced perception and decision-making systems, supporting the evolution toward software-defined vehicle architectures.
