FEV North America and Lightspeed Technologies have joined forces to create an automotive O/E (optical and electronic) system architecture technology that transmits photons over plastic optical fiber in lieu of E/E (electricity and electronics) technologies that typically conduct electrons over copper. According to FEV officials, this will significantly reduce weight, the number of vehicle parts, and assembly costs, while improving system efficiencies. The technology will be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 9 to 12. The demonstrations take place in the FEV Hospitality Suite at the Bellagio Hotel.
Lightspeed has created an all fiber optic system for vehicles that replaces copper wiring and other heavy components, while increasing the integration level. The technology has already been proven in aircraft and military applications. It provides additional security by making the system immune to EMI (electromagnetic interference), RFI (radio frequency interference) and EMP (electromagnetic pulse). It would also be a robust system because the fibers do not corrode.
The system reportedly requires zero software, instead replacing the operating system and application software with real-time, proprietary deterministic algorithms and look up tables. The functions are embedded into a proprietary Systems-on-a-Chip, increasing system reliability, MTBF and speed, while decreasing weight and power requirements.
Using its extensive knowledge of automotive hardware/software development and integration, calibration, deep electronics and vehicle systems expertise, FEV designs the vehicle architecture and components then integrates the system into the vehicle. That helps optimize the system’s capabilities for automotive applications. A demonstrator vehicle will be the next step in the project’s development.
FEV North America
www.fev.com
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