By Carlos Pardo CEO and Co-founder of KDPOF
What’s the outlook for multi-gigabit networking in vehicles? The year 2023 will lay the foundation for optical in-vehicle data communications with the IEEE Standards Association’s publication of the IEEE 802.3 automotive optical multi-gigabit standard, announced for early 2023. The proposed IEEE 802.3 automotive optical multi-gigabit standard draft specifies 2.5GBASE-AU, 5GBASE-AU, 10GBASE-AU, 25GBASE-AU, and 50GBASE-AU using bend-insensitive OM3 glass fiber. The OM3 class has been chosen because it’s already extensively used in data centers with applications in more stressful applications like avionics. The draft standard optical specifications will allow the use of reliable light sources based on proven technology. Cameras, displays, and sensors located throughout a vehicle typically connect to various electronic control units. These control units optimize operation of the vehicle power train or provide the navigation and entertainment features included in vehicles and have been included as test cases for standardization. The multi-gigabit capabilities the draft standard specifies will also be critical for the continued evolution of driver-assist and ultimately autonomous vehicle operation. The first prototypes for proof of concept will be available in the third quarter 2023.
