Consumer demand for more electronic devices in cars, such as anti-collision cameras, DVD players, and navigation systems, has led to the deployment of POF in automobile networks. Its high bandwidth and ease of use, coupled with its high tolerance to vibrations and external influences make POF ideal for in-vehicle embedded multimedia networks.

Two standards compete for the POF wiring harnesses in cars: IDB-1394 and MOST. Both of these standards rely on the combination of POF and 650nm red light sources.

Firecomms leads the development of RCLED-based 650nm red light sources to create next generation in-vehicle networks using POF. In fact, we were the first to demonstrate our groundbreaking high-speed fiber optic devices in a revolutionary new in-car entertainment system developed as a proof of concept for a demonstration vehicle designed by Renault RSA of France.

One of the first of its kind, the in-vehicle entertainment system utilizes a IDB-1394 POF network to enable individual passengers to choose from entertainment or information provided by multiple sources. Because this POF network can transport up to four simultaneous video streams to touch-screen displays located in the front console and rear seats, each passenger is able to choose independently from DVDs, digital TV, and video games.

Consumer Convenience Ports (CCP) are another unique feature supported by the POF network. Located throughout a vehicle, each CCP provides plug-and-play access via FireWire to many portable electronic devices, such as laptops, DVD/camcorders, MP3/CD players, iPods, or video game players. Output from a connected portable device can be directed to a single passenger, or shared by all passengers in the vehicles.

Firecomms RCLEDS are compelling for the automotive environment as these devices provide a high level of power and stability, and, most importantly, an evolutionary roadmap for these standards to achieve 250 Mbps over POF.