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Positioning Platform for Autonomous Driving Enhances Functionality, Safety

Oct. 12, 2023

The u-safe from u-blox is a pre-certified ISO-26262/ASIL-B end-to-end positioning solution that can be seamlessly integrated into next-generation driver-assistance system architectures.

Alix Paultre

Related To: Microwaves & RF

The Overview

A comprehensive functional-safety solution for vehicle positioning called u-safe, developed by u-blox, is intended to accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles and related systems. Offering an advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) positioning solution that's reliable and safe, typical use cases include ADAS Level 3 and above as well as ADAS Level 2+ to ensure that the systems are future-proof and ready for a transition into higher levels of automation.

Who Needs It & Why?

The platform is directed at those who require a functional-safety and SOTIF-compliant, safe end-to-end positioning solution. It combines proprietary hardware with customized software and correction, simplifying the automotive supply chain.

Addressing those working on ADAS up to SAE Level 5, it can be integrated into ADAS and autonomous-driving stacks, providing an additional layer of safety by offering ISO 26262-compliant functional safety. u-safe is a high-integrity and trustworthy positioning solution for highly automated and autonomous-driving applications.

Under the Hood

Leveraging u-blox’s ninth-generation GNSS technology platform, u-safe reinforces ASIL B GNSS localization for sophisticated automotive systems, featuring an A9 ASIL B chipset and module. It also incorporates PointSafe, which uses GMV’s correction service and on-board safe position engine, with the u-blox Thingstream IoT platform for services to the OEM backend, including customized integration support.

The u-blox u-safe introduction is related to the partnership with GMV, addressing functional safety with E2E positioning solutions for the automotive industry and mass-market applications.

Alix Paultre | Editor-at-Large, Microwaves & RF

Alix is Editor-at-Large for Microwaves & RF.

An Army veteran, Alix Paultre was a signals intelligence soldier on the East/West German border in the early ‘80s, and eventually wound up helping launch and run a publication on consumer electronics for the U.S. military stationed in Europe. Alix first began in this industry in 1998 at Electronic Products magazine, and since then has worked for a variety of publications, most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Power Systems Design.

Alix currently lives in Wiesbaden, Germany.