Strategic partners provide automotive data communication solutions

TRUMPF Photonic Components and KDPOF have become strategic partners on automotive datacom solutions. The companies aim to implement state-of-the-art optical data communication standards and solutions for the automotive industry. Hence, they are combining their knowledge in the field of components and networks for data communication.

"With our strategic partnership, we are going one step further and aim to establish VCSEL and optical networks as indispensable part in future cars," explained Rubén Pérez-Aranda, CTO at KDPOF. "Having a supplier like TRUMPF as a partner in working groups enrich the discussion with deep manufacturing and design knowledge of VCSEL and photodiodes components."

Due to the push in autonomous driving, a considerable amount of data has to be processed in cars. Consequently, optical interconnects are required to manage the data flow, acting as a nervous system connecting sensors and electronic brains while fulfilling tight electromagnetic interference requirements.

"After a long-term cooperation, it's great to enter a strategic partnership with KDPOF now, combining our long-term expertise to shape the future of data communication within car networks," said Joseph Pankert, VP product management at TRUMPF Photonic Components. "Our long-term studies have already proven that 980nm VCSELs can operate at much higher temperatures while maintaining excellent reliability. This is exactly what the automotive industry is demanding, and therefore we support the movement towards a new, long-wavelength standard", Pankert added.

Compared to data centres, automotive applications need a wider range of operating temperatures, varying from -40C to 125C, and an interconnect length of even less than 40m. For exceptional robustness against wear-outs and random failures, 980nm VCSEL is recognised as the wavelength preferred to become the new standard. Next to performance characteristics, 980nm enters existing OM3 fibres with only limited dispersion loss.

ECOC 2022, booth 473, Basel. The companies will hold a joint presentation on "980nm VCSELs: New standard in automotive" on 21 September at 3.15pm at the market focus stage at ECOC.