Texas Instruments Inc. introduced an automotive OMAP processor built to bring unprecedented in-vehicle entertainment and telematics functionality to automobiles. Codenamed 'Jacinto 6,' the new DRA74x processor builds upon TI's proven OMAP 5 architecture to enable optimized automotive solutions, adding audio, analytics and radio accelerators, along with automobile interfaces and peripherals. Integrating automotive interfaces with the processor architecture can decrease an automotive infotainment customer's electronic bill of materials by up to 25% or more, while delivering best-in-class performance capabilities.

With the OMAP 5 architecture at its foundation -- including dual ARM(R) Cortex-A15 cores, dual Cortex-M4 cores and multi-Imagination Technologies' POWERVR SGX544-MPx graphics cores -- the latest DRA74x processor increases ARM CPU performance up to five times and graphics performance close to seven times as compared to the previous 'Jacinto 5' offering. It also adds the following elements to the OMAP 5 processor foundation, to address specific automotive-infotainment needs: AEC Q100 qualification and wide-temperature support; Automotive interfaces: 2x CAN, MOST Media Local Bus, PCIe, Ethernet AVB, 3.3V I/Os; Optional 680 MHz floating-point VLIW DSP for integration of software defined radio, advanced audio and speech processing; Multiple high-definition camera and video input ports to enable next-generation surround-view camera and consumer devices; Robust software ecosystem, including support for QNX, open-source Linux, and Android; Pre-integration of TI's WiLink 8Q wireless automotive connectivity solutions. The DRA74x 'Jacinto 6' processor will sample in mid-2013 and is expected to be available for production by the second half of 2014.