JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 14 May 2019 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced that it has received the ISO 26262 certification for functional safety in automotive components from TÜV Rheinland, a globally renowned third-party testing, inspection and certification company.

The accreditation of Samsung’s new functional safety management system ensures that the company’s advanced automotive semiconductors, such as processors, image sensors, memory and light emitting diode (LED) solutions, satisfy the industry’s rigid safety standards throughout the product development process.

“TÜV Rheinland provides independent testing and inspection services that stand by quality and safety,” said Manuel Diaz, Global Field Manager at TÜV Rheinland. “Samsung has successfully built its management system that will provide semiconductor solutions meeting the functional safety requirements for today’s automakers. We are pleased to present Samsung with the ISO 26262 certification for automotive semiconductors that will help enhance functional safety within the industry.”

“Safety is a top priority, especially when it comes to tomorrow’s automotive vehicles and our ISO 26262 certification is an exciting step that secures functional safety in Samsung’s advanced automotive semiconductor solutions,” says Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics. “We expect that the new ISO 26262 certification will drive momentum for our comprehensive lineup of innovative semiconductor solutions in the automotive market.”

As the adoption of electronic components in automobiles continue to increase and the development of future applications are accelerated across industries, the importance of automotive safety standards for semiconductor components as well as their level of sophistication have also risen.

The ISO 26262 for automotive functional safety was established as a global standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2011 to minimize risks from electric or electronic system malfunction in vehicles. Recognising the growing requirements for semiconductors in emerging automotive technologies such as advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, guidelines specific to such products were added to the revised standard in 2018.

With the ISO 26262 certification, Samsung plans to accumulate development cases and make continuous improvements to further reinforce its functional safety management system. In addition to the certification, Samsung’s automotive semiconductor solutions have been meeting the highest standards of quality management and reliability required by IATF 16949 and AEC-Q100 specifications respectively.

But what exactly do these numbers mean? And what makes ATM water resistance ratings different from other kinds of evaluation standards, such as IP ratings? Read on to find out.

IP Ratings – Making a Splash in the Mobile Industry

In recent years, as more and more individuals have begun taking their smartphones and wearables to places where just a little water can cause huge problems, demand for water-resistant electronics has skyrocketed. As a result, a number of international standards have been put in place for testing water resistance, including the Ingress Protection (IP) rating established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

A device’s IP rating consists of two numbers and is given in the format IPXY (i.e. IP67). X is the rating for physical ingress, or how resistant the device is to penetration by foreign solid objects such as dust, and ranges from 0 to 6. Y, meanwhile, represents the rating for liquid ingress, or how resistant it is to penetration by liquids under various conditions, and ranges from 0 to 8. Below are charts that summarize these protection levels.

SOURCE: IEC 60529 ed.2.2 “Copyright © 2013 IEC Geneva, Switzerland. www.iec.ch”²

The rating number assigned for each category indicates that the device being tested has met the requirements for each previous rating. For example, Samsung’s Gear S3 smartwatch, which has a rating of IP68, has passed the rating requirements for all six physical ingress levels and the first eight liquid ingress levels. In other words, under specific conditions, the Gear S3 can withstand accidental submersion up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes, as well as contact with harmful dust.

While a fitness band or smartwatch with an IP68 rating can be worn while jogging in the rain or doing the dishes, IP ratings do not take water pressure into account. Therefore, IP ratings are not indicative of a device’s ability to be used during aquatic activities such as swimming. This is where ATM ratings come in.

ATM Ratings – Water Resistance Under Pressure

While many manufacturers tend to follow IP ratings, some independently test their products to determine how much static pressure they can withstand when submerged. These pressure tests are measured in ATMs – which stands for atmospheres – and are converted to water depth to make the measurements easier to comprehend.

One ATM is equivalent to the static pressure exerted by static submersion in 10 meters of water. The higher the ATM rating, the deeper the product can go without being affected, as deeper water exerts more pressure. The basic ATM water-resistance levels are described below.³

Again, these ratings are for static pressure, meaning that if the device is resting still in a test chamber, it can tolerate pressure up to the rated value and will function properly upon its removal. Conversely, any application of dynamic pressure caused by movement of the wearer (such as diving into the water, for example) increases the pressure of water exposure. So, while a 3 ATM-rated fitness band could easily withstand rain, it might be damaged if sprayed with a powerful hose.

ISO 22810:2010 – The International Standard

The International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) ISO 22810:2010 standard, meanwhile, specifies a detailed testing procedure that defines not only pressures but also test duration, water temperature and other parameters to provide a more accurate description of a watch’s water resistance.

Products are independently tested by the manufacturer under ISO test specifications. Those that meet the ISO 22810:2010 standard meet four requirements: water resistance to overpressure, water resistance at shallow depth, water resistance when strain is placed on the operative components and water resistance on exposure to thermal shocks.⁴ Therefore, products that adhere to ISO standard 22810:2010 are resistant to water during aquatic activities and may be used under conditions where water pressure and temperature vary.

With a water resistance rating of 5 ATM under ISO standard 22810:2010, Samsung’s Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are resistant to pressure at a depth of 50 meters, meaning the devices can not only stand up to the rain, but can also be worn during shallow water activities. This, along with the Speedo On swim tracking app,⁵ make the two new wearables ideal companions for any swim, whether tackling laps or going for a relaxing dip in the pool.

In summary, not all “water-resistant” devices are created equal. Therefore, it’s important to understand water resistance ratings to ensure your devices meet your needs and are appropriate for your lifestyle.

For more information about Samsung’s Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro, click here. For more details about water resistance ratings, visit the websites of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

¹ Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters) under ISO standard 22810:2010 for wristwatches under specific conditions. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

² All such extracts are copyright of IEC, Geneva, Switzerland. All rights reserved. Further information on the IEC is available from http://www.iec.ch. IEC has no responsibility for the placement and context in which the extracts and contents are reproduced by the author, nor is IEC in any way responsible for the other content or accuracy therein.

³ ATM ratings are not authorized by the ISO. Listed usage examples are guidelines only. The survivability of a device depends not only on the water depth, but also on the age of the sealing material, previous damage, temperature and additional mechanical stresses, among other variables.

⁴ Source: “Horology — Water-resistant watches” © ISO 2010

⁵ Speedo On comes pre-loaded on the Gear Fit2 Pro and will be available for download on Gear Sport.