Axera Receives ISO 26262:2018 Process and Product Certifications for Functional Safety
On January 25, 2024, the internationally recognized testing, inspection, and certification organization SGS awarded Axera Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (or Axera) two certificates: ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D Process Certification and ASIL B Product Certification for the XMOTIVE M76H chip.
The certification ceremony was attended by representatives from both parties, including Alex Wu, Vice President of Axera’s Automotive BU responsible for software and system development, Yaoming Qin, Vice President of Product of Axera’s Automotive BU, and Gongqing Chu, East China Sales Director of SGS Automotive Services.
The ISO 26262 standard is a globally recognized benchmark for automotive functional safety. It covers the complete product lifecycle, addressing aspects such as functional safety management, conceptual development, system development, hardware and software development, supporting processes, safety analysis, and product launch.
Axera is awarded ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D Process Certification by SGS.
The XMOTIVE M76H chip earns ASIL B Product Certification from SGS.
Axera has set up a cross-departmental functional safety team and built development processes that adhere to functional safety standards. With guidance from specialists at SGS-TÜV Saar, Axera has meticulously crafted almost 200 functional safety process documents. These protocols have been successfully integrated into the XMOTIVE M76H project and other automotive chip projects.
Obtaining the ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D Process Certification signifies that Axera has established a product development process and management system fully compliant with the highest “ASIL D” level requirements of the ISO 26262:2018 standard, reaching an advanced international level.
The XMOTIVE M76H, an automotive main control chip that integrates the Axera Tongyuan NPU architecture, delivers robust perception, computation, and data processing capabilities essential for smart driving across diverse scenarios like full-time driving and parking. Noteworthy for its low power consumption and adherence to passive cooling requirements, this chip’s ASIL B certification highlights its compliance with the “ASIL B” level requirements. For clients leveraging the M76H in autonomous driving or advanced driver assistance systems, this certification guarantees exceptional perception and processing prowess alongside paramount safety and reliability. This milestone plays a pivotal role in hastening higher-level safety assessments, embedding safety features in products, and expediting the mass production of automotive autonomous driving systems.
Alex Wu, Vice President of Axera’s Automotive BU responsible for software and system development noted, “With SGS providing expert testing, inspection services, and certification processes, Axera’s automotive chip development is now backed by top-notch quality and safety measures. Securing dual certifications marks a major success for Axera in the realm of automotive functional safety, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals in the automotive chip sector. Through the establishment of robust functional safety processes and the acquisition of product certification, Axera has cultivated a team well-versed in functional safety principles, adept in development methods, and proficient in functional safety enhancement. This accomplishment sets a strong groundwork for the ongoing improvement of functional safety within Axera’s automotive chip technology.”
Gongqing Chu, East China Sales Director of SGS Automotive Services, commented, “Axera’s swift attainment of process and product certifications showcases its prowess in chip design and functional safety. The ISO 26262:2018 standard is all about boosting safety in electrical/electronic systems for road vehicles. Over the past decades, these guidelines have been crucial in the automotive and semiconductor fields, earning global recognition for their authoritative rules. By meeting these standards and securing both process and product certifications, Axera is set to stand out in the industry, and grow its market reach in China and beyond.”
Both parties expressed that they will continue to collaborate on future functional safety development projects, undertaking more product certification initiatives under the ISO 26262 standard.
About Axera
Axera Semiconductor Co., Ltd. was established in May 2019 with the aim of becoming a leading intelligent computing platform globally. The company is focused on developing high-performance, low-power AI chips for edge and terminal applications, having successfully achieved large-scale shipments within the industry.
XMOTIVE, Axera’s automotive chip brand, is positioned as a Tier 2 supplier and has already achieved mass production and deployment in vehicles. Axera has developed two core technologies—Axera Zhimou AI-ISP and Axera Tongyuan NPU—that offer comprehensive smart driving reference solutions for a variety of automotive applications, including front-view all-in-one solutions, domain controllers for driving and parking, CMS (Camera Monitor Systems), and DMS/OMS (Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems). Additionally, Axera provides efficient, user-friendly toolchains and robust software development platforms, enabling them to meet a wide range of customer needs.
About SGS-TÜV Saar
SGS is an internationally recognized inspection, testing, and certification organization, serving as a benchmark for quality and integrity. SGS-TÜV Saar offers one-stop solutions for OEMs and component suppliers. Its primary services include functional safety, ASPICE, SOTIF, and information security for vehicles, automotive chips, and semiconductors. Additionally, it provides technical training, consulting, service support, and certification audits. Martin Schmidt, head of SGS-TÜV Saar, is one of the initiators and drafters of the ISO 26262 standard. His team, comprising over 80 experts in automotive functional safety, has awarded more than 800 ISO 26262 functional safety and information security certifications to clients globally.
