TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies' Industry-First +95 C Fiber-Optic Transmitter-Receiver Increases Performance of Automobile Multimedia Networks.PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif. -- Optical Components Extend Temperature Range and Signal Quality for Reliable, In-Car Infotainment Communications Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced the world's first optical transmitter and receiver to offer an extended operating temperature range of -40 C to + 95 C -- 10 degrees higher than the nearest competitor -- for use in automobile multimedia networks. The devices also provide the highest optical link budget of 14.5 dB, surpassing the 13 dB limit of competing products, thereby increasing the distance and reliability of the communication link. The devices are compliant with the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport MOST (an acronym for Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a networking standard intended for interconnecting multimedia components in automobiles and other vehicles. ) specification, the automotive industry's multimedia, fiber-optic networking standard. MOST networking technology permits car manufacturers and suppliers to easily add a host of multimedia devices such as CD players, radios, TVs, DVD players A stand-alone device that plays DVDs. It contains a DVD drive and the electronics to decode the digital video. The device may play only manufactured DVDs, or it may be able to play DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs. DVD players are cabled to a TV or home theater system for display. , navigation systems, cell phones, and in-car PCs as modular functions within a car. Performance of the MOST network hinges on the ability of the optical transmitter and receiver (which transfer data to operate the infotainment systems) to function correctly at varying temperatures. By extending the temperature range, Agilent's devices offer better performance in hot weather and allow automobile manufacturers to place the devices almost anywhere in the car, except the engine compartment, without cooling concerns. "Our new MOST transmitter and receiver devices are breakthrough products that provide superior performance," said Tom Fawcett, director of marketing for the Fiber Optic Products Division in Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "Their industry-best specifications are supported by Agilent's unmatched product quality, expertise in low-cost, high-volume manufacturing and assurance of supply." MOST fiber-optic networking provides the infrastructure for exchanging audio, video, data and control information between entertainment and information devices within a car without the need for bulky copper wiring harnesses. MOST serves as the backbone technology of in-car infotainment systems. Automobiles incorporating MOST networking were first introduced in the 2001 model year, and today more than 10 million nodes are installed in 23 car models. Agilent's AFBR-1010 Fiber-Optic Transmitter and AFBR-2010 Receiver The AFBR-1010 fiber-optic transmitter and AFBR-2010 receiver operate at speeds of up to 50 MBd. They are both supplied in low-cost, four-pin molded packages ready for assembly into MOST-compliant, plastic fiber-optic connector receptacles. The transmitter uses a low-current, high-efficiency 650 nm LED source with integrated optics Combining electrical and optical components on the same silicon-based substrates used in the fabrication of a semiconductor chip. Also called "silicon photonics," fiber-optic communications employs numerous integrated optics devices, including lasers, photodetectors, beam splitters, for efficient coupling into 1-mm polymer optical fiber; the receiver contains a large-area PIN diode A PIN diode is a diode with a wide, undoped intrinsic semiconductor region between p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor regions. A PIN diode obeys the standard diode equation only for very slow signals. to receive this light. Input and output data is TTL (1) (Time To Live) A parameter in a network packet that sets a time limit to its validity. In order to prevent an IP packet from propagating endlessly through the network, the value in the TTL field is reduced by each router. (transistor-transistor logic Transistor-Transistor Logic - (TTL) A common semiconductor technology for building discrete digital logic integrated circuits. It originated from Texas Instruments in 1965. ), compatible with MOST network interface controller ICs. In the absence of data activity, the receiver switches to a very low power-consumption mode. In this mode, the PIN diode senses new data activity and switches the receiver back to full operation. Both the transmitter and receiver feature high tolerance to voltage transients, since both the LED driver and receiver IC are fabricated fab·ri·cate tr.v. fab·ri·cat·ed, fab·ri·cat·ing, fab·ri·cates 1. To make; create. 2. To construct by combining or assembling diverse, typically standardized parts: using a robust and automotive-proven BiCMOS (bipolar complementary metal oxide semiconductor See CMOS. (integrated circuit) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - (CMOS) A semiconductor fabrication technology using a combination of n- and p-doped semiconductor material to achieve low power dissipation. ) process. Sophisticated temperature compensation circuitry ensures stable operation over the extended temperature range. U.S. Pricing and Availability Samples of the AFBR-1010 fiber-optic transmitter and AFBR-2010 receiver are available now through Agilent's direct sales channel. Pricing will be set in March 2005 when production quantities are available. More information about Agilent's fiber-optic products is available at www.agilent.com/view/fiberoptics. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. NOTE TO EDITORS: Please direct reader inquiries to Agilent Semiconductor Products Group at 1-800-235-0312, or e-mail us at semiconductorsupport@agilent.com. Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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