Consumer interest in driver safety and infotainment features are at an all-time high, but automotive technology has not kept up with consumer expectations. Connectivity is edging its way squarely into the equation.
Collision warnings, comfort controls, infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems are emerging as compelling new automotive applications, increasing the need for bandwidth and connectivity within and between in-vehicle networks.
Today, Broadcom responds by unveiling the next generation in automotive connectivity. The Broadcom BroadR-Reach Ethernet portfolio is the broadest automotive Ethernet product portfolio in the industry, consisting of five devices including three highly integrated switches with embedded PHYs, and two stand-alone PHY solutions. All are designed to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive industry.
In addition, the portfolio is the first to enable 100Mbps over unshielded single twisted pair cabling, to increase performance and substantially reduce connectivity cost and cabling weight. Unlike existing Ethernet solutions that are “closed” (isolated in end-point applications using either LVDS or 100Base TX Ethernet cable), Broadcom Ethernet technology enables the migration to an open, scalable network.
This announcement follows the recent introduction of the OPEN (One-Pair Ether-Net) Alliance Special Interest Group (SIG). Established to drive wide scale adoption of Ethernet-based automotive connectivity as the standard in automotive connectivity, the SIG will address industry requirements for improving in-vehicle safety, comfort, and infotainment, while significantly reducing network complexity and cabling costs. Members include Broadcom, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Freescale Semiconductor, Harman International, BMW, Hyundai Motor Company and Jaguar Land Rover. License to specification for BroadR-Reach is available to all interested OPEN Alliance members under RAND terms via a license from Broadcom. Visit www.opensig.org to learn more.
For more information on the Broadcom BroadR-Reach automotive portfolio, visit go.broadcom.com/ or check out the Broadcom demo at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 10-13, 2012.
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