Renault and Melexis at the 2022 SIA Vision Congress, demonstrating the possibili- ties offered by MeLiBu
limit the quantity of lights and animation complexity, while LIN networks would only be suitable for slow-speed applications. In both instances, the visual impact of any LEDs will be heavily reduced. At its core, the problem manufacturers face is that the next-generation vehicles will contain far too many LEDs, changing colour too frequently for existing systems to cope.
As with any emerging market, the number of companies producing RGB-LED products for automotive usage is growing dramatically. This provides an additional challenge, as differing devices have unique integration requirements. Creating a solution which has the fl exibility to work seamlessly with the wide range of LED and body control modules (BCMs), while also withstanding the harsh environmental conditions within a car, presents quite a challenge.
Finding the right solution
While the newer CAN Flexible Datarate (CAN- FD) protocol offers a signifi cant performance upgrade, unfortunately, its architecture and implementation requirements mean it is currently too expensive to deploy across many manufacturers’ entire range. This would restrict dynamic LEDs to luxury vehicles, and for most OEMs their target is to implement advanced LED matrices across most models. To address the challenges of smart lighting, Melexis (a global microelectronics engineering company) have used their extensive experience in LED automotive systems to develop a dedicated, license-free protocol specifi cally for this purpose. Known as MeLiBu (Melexis Light Bus), it combines the accessible protocol and hardware architecture of LIN with the reliability of CAN communication. The result is a high-speed, robust network which can fulfi ll the demands of animated high-density LED applications. As well as meeting the performance requirements, it was crucial that any lighting solution is both cost effective and compact (by helping to minimize total wiring harness size). Melexis reduced system complexity through implementing a differential bus structure, whereby all drivers can function
www.cieonline.co.uk.
as a commander for bus communication. Each individual MeLiBu multi-point control unit (MCU) is able to connect to multiple LED modules together (via the wiring harness). Enabling delay-free communication of >1000 LEDs in one bus segment. To meet the harsh demands of modern vehicles, the controllers offer high ESD and EMC robustness, are ISO 11898 (CAN-FD PHY standard) and ISO 26262 compatible. The system also offers the lowest cost per light node on the market.
Conclusion
Smart LEDs can provide an excellent way for vehicle manufacturers to set themselves apart from their competitors. Advanced dynamic illumination not only increases a car’s safety but also creates striking visual distinction. As with most new automotive features, this development brings a signifi cant engineering challenge. With MeLiBu, Melexis has introduced a comprehensive platform that meets both the extensive technical and commercial requirements. It combines high-performance LED control with a low overall system complexity, supporting the implementation of dynamic animation. Multiple manufacturers have already validated and implemented MeLiBu with the first models already on the road. While at the 2022 SIA Vision Congress, Renault and Melexis impressed attendees with their dynamic lighting demo car. This used MeLiBu technology to show a vast array of new passenger immersion and safety possibilities, providing a glimpse into the future. To deploy the next generation of smart lighting across entire vehicle ranges, manufacturers will place a greater demand on their component suppliers. The need for cost- effective solutions that feature simple system integration with a wide range of components and BCMs will only grow. While the latest technological applications are incredibly impressive, future implementations will only be more extraordinary, but this will create an even larger challenge for the underpinning vehicle electronics and networks.
https://www.melexis.com/ Components in Electronics September 2023 53
"PERFECT 7"
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
