KDPOF Joins European Photonics Industry Consortium EPIC

We are proud to participate in the EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) network and connect with over 700 member companies in 35 countries. “EPIC is the ideal community to further drive the joint development and standardization of multi-gigabit technology in vehicles, which offers the automotive market an optical solution that is both competitive and robust,” stated Carlos Pardo.

As the industry association with the largest network, EPIC fosters a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. In addition, it maintains the European photonics database. On these grounds, we are growing an ecosystem of partners that will be greatly fostered thanks to the EPIC cluster.

IEEE 802.3 Automotive Optical Multi-Gigabit Standard

With technological leaps such as electrical vehicles, automated driving, and V2X interconnection rushing forward, automotive applications, utilization, and safety requirements are boosting the necessary network speed tremendously. Consequently, in-vehicle networks are on the brink of speeds from one to multiple gigabits per second. With the approval of the IEEE 802.3 working group, a team of individuals affiliated with more than 15 key carmakers and components suppliers, including KDPOF, is working on the standardization of an IEEE 802.3 Automotive Optical Multi-Gigabit Standard with strong support from the industry.

The key advantages of the optical solution for specific applications using multi-gigabit speeds with in-vehicle connectivity are, among others, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) thanks to the inherent galvanic isolation, low weight, and low cost. Use cases include the interconnectivity of telematics control modules, redundant and safe backbones for autonomous driving architectures, and advanced driver assist system (ADAS) sensors. The technology will be scalable in order to enable even higher data rates such as 50 and 100 Gbps in the future. By combining optimization in all areas of the new standard, the right balance of complexity and cost among all parts (CMOS IC, VCSEL, PD, ferrules, sleeves, cable, in-line connection technology, optics, and lenses, etc.) can be achieved in order to deliver the lowest cost, most reliable, and most highly scalable solution to the automotive market.