Feature: Automotive


In-vehicle networks harness plastic optical fibre technology


By César Esteban, Applications and Support Manager, and Juergen Schachtschneider, Automotive Manager Central Europe and Greater China, KDPOF


E


lectric and autonomous driving architectures are substantially increasing the challenges for automotive wiring systems. Issues include


electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) and weight reduction. In addition, utilisation and safety requirements are boosting the necessary network speed tremendously. The new 48V architecture in cars further pushes the envelope


in terms of cross-domain isolation requirements. Copper links for communication


rates above 100Mb/s need heavy and expensive solutions to comply with stringent OEM EMC specs, resulting in high cost and difficult engineering. Moreover, the added weight of the ever- growing cables plays against the race for increased range in electric powertrains. Optical network technology overcomes


these trends, thanks to its inherent galvanic isolation, robustness, low cost


30 September 2021 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


and low weight. Carmakers benefit from optical links for communication between 48V and 12V domains. Weight-wise, an optical network is over 30% lighter than the equivalent copper-based harness. Optical Ethernet provides 100Mb/s and 1Gb/s network solutions today, and multi- gigabit Ethernet is the upcoming major breakthrough for in-vehicle networks. The standardisation effort for optical multi- gigabit is already in progress within the IEEE as an amendment to its Ethernet standard 802.3.


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