Algocraft is extending WriteNow! programming platform support to the new Infineon AURIX™ TC4X family, the latest generation of high-performance automotive microcontrollers based on the TriCore™ architecture.
The TC4X series represents a significant architectural evolution compared to the previous AURIX™ TC2X and TC3X families, which are already fully supported by WriteNow.
Thanks to the strong architectural continuity across AURIX™ generations, WriteNow! can immediately address TC4X devices while leveraging proven programming and security concepts.
Infineon AURIX™ TC4X architecture overview
The AURIX™ TC4X family is the third generation of Infineon’s AURIX™ microcontrollers and introduces several major enhancements:
- Increased compute density with next-generation TriCore™ CPUs
- Significantly enlarged on-chip non-volatile memory capacity
- Improved parallelism in memory access through multi-bank architectures
- Enhanced safety mechanisms compliant with ISO 26262 and cybersecurity requirements
While the programming model remains familiar to TC2X/TC3X users, TC4X devices introduce deeper memory hierarchies and more advanced update and protection mechanisms.
Evolution from TC2X / TC3X families
From a programming and memory-management perspective, TC4X devices preserve core concepts already established in earlier AURIX™ generations:
- Device Access Port (DAP) as primary low-level access mechanism
- User Configuration Blocks (UCB) for security-critical configuration
- Dedicated program and data non-volatile memories
At the same time, TC4X significantly extends the program memory architecture, most notably through the introduction of RRAM technology.
Programming and debug via DAP
WriteNow! programs TC4X devices using the DAP (Device Access Port) interface.
DAP provides:
- Low-level, direct access to internal memory and system resources
- High-speed programming independent of application software
- Full multi-core awareness
- Tight integration with the device security concept
DAP is the preferred interface for both debugging and production programming.
Non-volatile memory support in WriteNow!
WriteNow! supports all non-volatile memory types available in the AURIX™ TC4X family, including PRRAM, EEPROM, and UCB.
PRRAM: In the TC4X architecture, PRRAM is the primary non-volatile program memory and represents a major evolution compared to previous AURIX™ generations.
PRRAM combines the advantages of flash-like non-volatility with an architecture optimized for high-performance real-time execution.
EEPROM: The embedded EEPROM is intended for persistent data storage such as Calibration parameters, Configuration data, runtime state information.
UCB: User Configuration Blocks store security- and boot-critical information, including Boot configuration and startup behavior, Debug and access protection settings, Security-related configuration data.
Due to their critical role, UCBs must be programmed following strict sequences and protection rules. WriteNow! implements full UCB handling in compliance with Infineon’s AURIX™ programming model, ensuring safe and deterministic configuration.
Conclusion
With support for the Infineon AURIX™ TC4X family and devices such as the TC489QE, Algocraft WriteNow! continues to provide a robust and scalable programming solution for next-generation automotive microcontrollers.
WriteNow! is ready to address the increasing complexity of modern AURIX™-based automotive platforms.
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