National verification platform to boost auto chip quality

As China's first national-level automotive chip standard verification platform officially began operations recently, the nation is accelerating its push into intelligent and connected mobility by building a unified and internationally recognized standards system for vehicle-grade chips.

Developed by CATARC Automotive Chip (Shenzhen) Technology Co Ltd under the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), the platform in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, is designed to serve as a "quality proving ground" for automotive semiconductors, said Xia Xianzhao, chief expert at CATARC.

"The platform is built around the entire life cycle of chip development from product definition to on-vehicle application, and focuses on three major areas — product quality verification, system-level application testing and ecosystem integrity evaluation," Xia said.

According to its developer, the platform houses 13 specialized laboratories equipped with over 80 sets of advanced testing devices, capable of conducting more than 30 types of verification tests.

It also covers nine major categories and 81 subcategories of automotive chips — from intelligent driving and in-vehicle infotainment chips to safety and power management components — and provides public testing services for multiple application scenarios.

"The development of a complete vehicle-grade chip standards system requires iterative testing that reflects mainstream industry technologies and performance capabilities," Xia said. "The goal is to ensure optimal configurations that meet application demand while maintaining high reliability and consistency."

Chips are believed to be fundamental to the automotive industry's upgrades toward electrification, intelligence, and connectivity. Traditional fuel-powered vehicles typically use 500 to 600 chips, while high-end smart ones may now require more than 2,000.

As China's auto industry charges toward a higher level of intelligence, the penetration of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) continues to rise, with installation rates for Level 2 and above reaching 82.6 percent among new energy passenger vehicles in the first half of 2025, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

These capabilities rely heavily on high-performance computing chips.

Global consultancy Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the global market for high-computing SoCs (systems on chip) used in ADAS will reach 92.5 billion yuan ($12.99 billion) by 2028, with China accounting for nearly half- more than 49.6 billion yuan.

In this regard, the unified verification platform is expected to play a vital role in shaping a standards framework based on Chinese experience, Xia said.

"By combining China's innovation strengths with its vast market for early adoption, the platform will help reshape the global flow of automotive chip technologies and enhance China's voice in the international industry," he noted.

In addition, as Chinese automakers continue to expand their global footprint, the platform will also help domestically developed vehicle-grade chips meet international quality and ecosystem requirements, paving the way for overseas adoption.

"The platform is open and collaborative," Xia emphasized. "It embraces international cooperation, draws on mature global testing and evaluation systems, and aligns domestic quality standards with international benchmarks."

By bridging China's application experience with the expertise of leading global players, the platform can help promote joint standard-setting efforts, break down cross-border ecosystem barriers, and enable Chinese automotive chips to pass global quality and certification requirements without ever leaving home, he added.