How does optical communication improve the automotive industry?

1 Benefits of optical communication

Optical communication offers several advantages for the automotive industry, especially as vehicles become more connected, autonomous, and electrified. These benefits include faster and more reliable data transmission, lower weight and power consumption, and higher resistance to harsh environments. Data rates and distances supported by optical communication are greater than those of electrical or wireless communication, which is essential for applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Additionally, optical communication reduces latency, jitter, and noise, improving performance and safety. Furthermore, optical communication uses lighter and thinner optical fibers than copper wires, which reduces the weight and size of the wiring harnesses and connectors. This can improve the fuel efficiency and aerodynamics of the vehicles while consuming less power than electrical or wireless communication. Moreover, optical communication is immune to electromagnetic interference and resistant to temperature, vibration, moisture, and corrosion. This enhances the durability and reliability of the communication system while being especially important for electric and hybrid vehicles which generate high levels of electromagnetic fields.

2 Challenges of optical communication

In spite of its advantages, optical communication also presents some challenges in the automotive industry. These include higher cost and complexity due to the need for more expensive components, such as lasers, photodetectors, modulators, amplifiers, and switches. Additionally, installation and maintenance procedures like splicing, testing, and routing of optical fibers are more complex than other types of communication. Furthermore, compatibility and standardization issues may arise as optical communication is not compatible with existing electrical or wireless protocols and interfaces in the automotive industry. Therefore, new standards and specifications must be developed and adopted to comply with safety and regulatory requirements like EMC, functional safety (ISO 26262), and environmental testing (ISO 16750).

3 Examples of optical communication

Optical communication is a promising technology for the automotive industry, as it can improve data transmission, power efficiency, and interference resistance of the communication system. Despite these advantages, it also poses some challenges in terms of cost, complexity, compatibility, and standardization. To address these issues, some optical communication technologies and solutions have been developed and implemented in the automotive industry. For example, MOST is an optical communication standard for multimedia and infotainment applications that uses plastic optical fibers to transmit audio, video, and control data. FlexRay is an optical communication standard for safety-critical and time-sensitive applications that can operate in hybrid mode with electrical communication. Li-Fi is an optical communication technology that uses visible light to transmit data wirelessly for V2X communication. To meet the diverse needs of the automotive industry, optical communication needs to be further developed and integrated with other communication technologies.

4 Here’s what else to consider

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