Connected Car News: Kia, Keysight, Xperi, Vishay, BYTON, TI, HAAS, VTS, Intertek, EPC, Alta Devices, HOZON, Agility Fuel & Romeo Power

In connected car news this week were Kia, Keysight Technologies, Xperi, Vishay, BYTON, TI, HAAS, VTS, Intertek, EPC, Alta Devices, HOZON, Agility Fuel and Romeo Power.

Keysight & IT-Telecom Partner for DSRC V2X Testing

Keysight Technologies, Inc. announced the signing of contract with IT-Telecom to collaborate on a testing solution for Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) or Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

IT Telecom is a leading V2X, Intelligent Transport System (ITS) solutions company in Korea that specializes in DSRC technology. DSRC signaling module and protocol expertise from IT-Telecom enhances system integrity and productivity.

Xperi DTS Connected Radio API

Xperi Corporation  announced the commercial availability of the DTS Connected Radio API by its wholly owned subsidiary, DTS, a global leader in high-definition audio solutions, in its development of DTS Connected Radio technology. The DTS Connected Radio platform will enable broadcasters to deliver new and engaging services into connected cars of the future.

Demo Kit Tests Vishay’s Solutions

The Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.has introduced a new demo kit that allows users to test drive Vishay’s ambient light, proximity, UVA light, and RGBW color sensor solutions. Providing a USB to I²C interface, 3.3 V regulator, and GPIOs for reading and displaying sensor data on a PC, the new SensorXplorer™ allows designers to explore the capabilities of the Vishay sensors featured on Vishay’s sensor demo boards.

The kit introduced today includes the SensorXplorer demo board, which acts as a USB to I²C interface between the PC software and individual Vishay sensor demo boards. An included micro-USB cable connects the board to the PC. The USB dongle is backwards-compatible, allowing for the use of sensor boards previously purchased with the Sensor Starter Kit.

LabVIEW-based software for the SensorXplorer Kit, in addition to an installation application note, is available for download.

BYTON Joins Association of Global Automakers

Intelligent electric vehicle maker BYTON announced that it has been accepted as a member of the Association of Global Automakers, which recognizes the company’s overall efforts in guiding the future of mobility on a global scale.

New PHY Transceiver from TI

Texas Instruments (TI)  introduced a new automotive Ethernet physical layer (PHY) transceiver that cuts the external component count and board space in half and consumes as little as half the power of competitive solutions. The DP83TC811S-Q1’s support for serial gigabit media independent interface (SGMII), small packaging and integrated diagnostic features enable designers to bring greater intelligence via Ethernet connectivity to space-constrained automotive body electronics, infotainment and cluster, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications.

As the first 100BASE-T1 device to support SGMII, the DP83TC811S-Q1 Ethernet PHY improves design flexibility by enabling connections to multiple switches and interfaces. The DP83TC811S-Q1 supports the full range of media independent interfaces (MII), which enables designers to implement Ethernet connectivity with various media access controllers (MACs) and processors such as TI’s Jacinto™ automotive processors. To help the system monitor and detect cable breaks, temperature and voltage variations, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) events, the DP83TC811S-Q1 features a diagnostic toolkit, including a patent-pending ESD monitor.

HAAS Alert Safety Cloud  R2V on E-ONE

HAAS Alert, a Chicago-based startup whose mission is to make roadways safer, announced it has entered into a multi-year agreement with REV Group’s Fire division to include the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud service on new fire apparatus manufactured by the E-ONE, Ferrara and KME brands. HAAS Alert provides Responder-to-Vehicle (R2V) safety services to first responders and has changed how fire departments protect their crews and the public. Trucks equipped with R2V will have the ability to alert nearby motorists, to aid in preventing collisions and enabling safer and faster emergency response.

VTS Silent Passenger iOS App

Vehicle Tracking Solutions (VTS), the leading technology provider in the telematics industry, has announced the official release date of their Silent Passenger Apple iOS app. Following the success of the Silent Passenger Android app, this long-awaited Apple iOS version is the most powerful fleet management mobile application available.

 VTS’ robust telematics solution streamlines the fleet management process. The platform allows clients to update routes in real-time, view the locations of their vehicles, monitor driver safety, fuel use, and keep track of vehicle maintenance. With the release of the Apple iOS app, the entire fleet management solution can be accessed from both Android and Apple devices anywhere, anytime.

Intertek Tests DSRC V2X

Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has been authorized by the OmniAir Consortium to conduct testing for their dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) vehicle-to-everything (V2X) certification program. With this approval, Intertek is now uniquely positioned as an OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory (OATL) that can offer both lab and proving ground capabilities.

OmniAir’s certification program provides accredited third-party laboratory testing and validation of DSRC-based V2X devices, ensuring that manufacturers, suppliers and automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) develop products that conform to industry standards and specifications to ensure trusted device communications. It is the first global program to certify DSRC V2X technology.

DSRC is wireless technology that allows automobiles to communicate with each other, as well as related infrastructure, such as stop lights, emergency vehicles or other smart devices. In November 2017, Intertek launched DSRC testing services in two of its U.S. labs, laying the foundation for the OmniAir testing approval.

EPC Certificatin of 2 eGaN

EPC announces successful AEC Q101 qualification of two eGaN devices, opening a range of applications in automotive and other harsh environments. The products, EPC2202 and EPC2203, are both discrete transistors in wafer level chip-scale packaging (WLCS) with 80 VDS ratings and will soon be followed with several more discrete transistors and integrated circuits designed for the harsh automotive environment.

eGaN technology has been in mass production for over eight years, accumulating billions of hours of successful field experience in automotive applications, such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and radar for autonomous cars, 48 V – 12 V DC-DC converters, and high intensity headlamps for trucks. These are the first EPC products to have completed AEC Q101 qualification testing.

The EPC2202 is an 80 V, 16 mΩ enhancement-mode FET with a pulsed current rating of 75 A in a 2.1mm x 1.6mm chip-scale package. The EPC2203 is an 80 V, 73 mΩ part with a pulsed current rating of 18 A in a 0.9mm x 0.9mm chip-scale package. These eGaN FETs are many times smaller and achieve switching speeds 10 – 100 times faster than their silicon MOSFET counterparts. Both products are designed for a wide range of emerging automotive applications including:

  • LiDAR
  • High Intensity Headlights
  • 48 V – 12 V DC-DC Converters
  • Ultra−high Fidelity Infotainment Systems

To complete AEC Q101 testing, EPC’s eGaN FETs underwent rigorous environmental and bias-stress testing, including humidity testing with bias (H3TRB), high temperature reverse bias (HTRB), high temperature gate bias (HTGB), temperature cycling (TC), as well as several other tests. Of note is that EPC’s WLCS packaging passed all the same testing standards created for conventional packaged parts, demonstrating that the superior performance of chip-scale packaging does not compromise ruggedness or reliability. These eGaN devices are produced in facilities certified to the Automotive Quality Management System Standard IATF 16949.

Alta Devices 4th Gen Solar Cell for UAVS

Alta Devices, the world-record holder for single junction solar cell efficiency, announces the launch of its fourth-generation solar cell technology (“Gen4”), which weighs significantly less than the previous generation technology (“Gen3”) and results in an improved power-to-weight ratio of 160 percent. This technology is critical for tomorrow’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), solar cars and other electric vehicles. It can be used to generate substantial power over small surfaces with minimal impact to vehicle design criteria.

Autonomous power is critical because each sensor, processor or communication device added to increase system capabilities simultaneously increases power demand. For example, in order to be of practical use for applications like remote internet connectivity, a high-altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle (HALE UAV) needs to add sensor-based avionics and navigation, in addition to reserving power and weight budget for communications payloads. Adding additional batteries or energy sources add weight and bulk, and are still limited to only a few days of energy supply due to aircraft weight limitations. Alta’s solar technology easily integrates into the surface of the aircraft or vehicle without upsetting aerodynamics, while providing an abundant supply of power.

Agility Fuel Solutions & Romeo Power Partner for Modular Battery Packs

Agility Fuel Solutions, a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and Romeo Power Technology, the energy storage technology company founded by engineers and designers from SpaceX, Tesla, Amazon and Samsung, announced a partnership for the production of high-performance, modular battery packs for commercial vehicles.

 Agility and Romeo have entered into an exclusive global agreement whereby Romeo will supply custom-designed battery modules to Agility for Class 4-8 vehicles.  Agility will use its extensive experience in onboard energy storage to integrate those modules into highly configurable battery packs for the wide range of battery capacities and physical configurations best suited to individual vehicles and applications in the global truck and bus markets.

Cadence Design 3 New VIP Offerings

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.  announced three new Verification IP (VIP) offerings: the industry’s first CoaXPress VIP offering for high-speed imaging, the industry’s first HyperRAM high-speed memory VIP offering, and a VIP offering for the new JEDEC Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 3.0 specification. All three enable early adopters of these standards to begin designing with the new specifications immediately, ensuring compliance with the standard and achieving the fastest path to IP and system-on-chip (SoC) verification closure.

HOZON Opens Auto Autonomous Vehicle Research Center Opened.

On April 13, HOZON Auto Autonomous Vehicle Research Center (Silicon Valley) officially opened in the United States, marking a crucial step-forward in building out its global strategic R&D layout, and opening up a new path for global autonomous driving technology.//

Kia Electric Niro

Kia has today unveiled a new all-electric version of Niro at the 5th International Electric Vehicle Expo in Jeju, Korea. Due to receive its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the sporty and versatile Niro EV combines driving enjoyment with eye-catching design and functional utility.

Designed at Kia’s design centers in California, USA and Namyang, Korea, the Niro EV incorporates the practicality and appeal of a compact SUV, in a sleek, aerodynamic body with subtly sculptured surfaces.

Taking inspiration from the Niro EV Concept unveiled at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Niro EV features an exclusive radiator grille, futuristic air intake and arrowhead-shaped LED daytime running lights. With a ‘Clean and High-tech’ design concept, the slim character line and tapered rear windows emphasize the car’s sleek profile, while allowing greater room for the Niro EV’s muscular wheel arches.

The Niro EV is powered by a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for Kia EVs. Equipped with a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, the Niro EV will be able to drive over 380 km on a single charge with zero emissions, or up to 240 km on an optional 39.2 kWh battery system.

The Niro EV will go on sale in Korea during the second half of 2018 and be introduced to other markets in due course.

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