Communication & Control Electronics Lowers the Barrier for High Performance Automotive Multimedia and Telematics Networks

SMARTwireX physical layer module provide fast, cost-effective means to connect optical-networked devices over low cost electrical cables.

DETROIT, Mich. – October 23, 2002 -- Communication & Control Electronics (C&CE), the leading supplier of multimedia and telematics network access solutions to the automotive industry, today announced an innovative approach that will allow volume automotive suppliers to quickly and cost-effectively upgrade optical-networked devices to use low cost unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. The company’s new SMARTwireX high performance and low cost networking technology eliminates the need to install costly fibre optic networks in automobiles.

The U.K.-based company, which has a track record of success in the luxury car market through developments with Daimler-Chrysler and Jaguar, made its US debut at the Convergence 2002 automotive electronics event this week in Detroit.

The C&CE SMARTwireX Physical Layer Module provides a complete physical layer solution for allowing devices designed for optical networks such as CD changers, radio head units and hands free telephone adaptors to be connected using a low-cost electrical interface. The module is based on the 25Mbps SMARTwireX Physical Layer Controllers (PLC), and is packaged in the same footprint as the fibre optic transceiver (FOT) used in optical networks. The module includes the PLC, an EMC filter and automotive grade connectors.

“The development of the SMARTwireX PLC and the subsequent EMC testing we have performed has given us the ability to develop a compact module that includes all of the elements required for a customer to upgrade an existing optically networked device to operate on a high performance electrical network without a total redesign or significant cost impact.” said Paul Nickson, CTO of C&CE, “We are excited by the response we have had from vehicle manufactures and volume suppliers to the development of this module, and we are already working with several 1st tier suppliers to upgrade their existing optical devices.”

Adopting an electrical network using low cost UTP will save automobile manufactures a significant amount of money per vehicle compared to an optical based network. Replacing the expensive FOT and associated fibre optic cables can be shown to reduce the cost of the overall network infrastructure by over 50%.

“C&CE has had a significant impact in the area of in-car networks, working closely with Daimler Chrysler and Jaguar on the implementation of the D2B optical standard in their vehicles. There are now more than 20 different D2B optical devices on the market, including head units, CD changers, digital radios and telephone adaptors from more than ten major suppliers to the automotive industry,” said Steve Evans, Sales and Marketing Director of C&CE, “With the SMARTwireX Module C&CE is providing these suppliers with the means to quickly upgrade their products to support a low cost physical interface which we believe will enable them to address the volume auto market with devices that have already been proven in mass production .”

C&CE is already working with vehicle manufactures and 1st tier suppliers on EMC and electrical tests using SMARTwireX PLC technology.

About SMARTwireX Networks

SMARTwireX eliminates the need for costly optical components in an automotive multimedia and telematics network by providing a high speed, low radiation physical layer over low-cost unshielded twisted pair copper cables. The SMARTwireX PLC family includes devices that can support data rates of 25Mbps and faster versions are currently under development. The SMARTwireX Physical Layer Module supporting the upgrade of D2B devices will be available in Q4 2002.

About Communications and Control Electronics

Communication and Control Electronics Limited (C&CE) is the leading company dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of in-car information and entertainment networks. C&CE is a pioneer of the world’s first standard for fully-integrated multimedia and telematics network, working with market leaders such as Daimler-Chrysler and Jaguar since 1990 to bring the world’s first cars with distributed multimedia network into production and developed the first true automotive multimedia and telematics networking IC – CONAN®.

For more information, contact:

Steve Evans, Director, Sales & Marketing, C&C Electronics, +44 7713 106503, steve.evans@candc.co.uk