C&CE Delivers Audio/Video Concept Car

C&C Electronics Delivers Breakthrough Digital Audio/Video Infotainment Concept Car to Major OEM

Video and Passenger Entertainment Concept “VPEC” Delivered to Major European OEM, Demonstrating the World’s First UTP Digital Video Solution Using Low-Cost SMARTwireX Electrical Networking

Farnborough, UK -- February 3rd, 2004 – Communication and Control Electronics Limited (C&CE), the pioneering automotive infotainment networking company, today announced that it had completed the development and delivery of an 11-node digital audio/video passenger entertainment concept (VPEC) vehicle to a major European OEM. C&CE was commissioned to develop the concept vehicle to demonstrate the quality and practicality of its digital video and low-cost digital networking solution – SMARTwireX. The VPEC concept, which will be demonstrated to senior executives at the OEM, is thought to be the world’s first example of a production-ready digital video solution using just a single UTP cable to carry audio, video and control data from node to node.

Engineers at C&CE modified existing production infotainment devices such as a head unit, navigation unit, DVD player and automotive displays to add the SMARTwireX networking technology, before installing the complete system in a current production car supplied by the OEM. The high-quality, low-latency video compression algorithm (VDM) was supplied by Analog Devices, executing on a Blackfin® Processor.

Steve Holland, Commercial Director for C&CE, is delighted with the result: “Vehicle Manufacturers (VMs) from around the world have been telling us that a digital video distribution system is a key requirement for their future cars. This project demonstrates that our technology is ready to go, at a price point that is practical today.”

The video distribution system includes one front display and two rear-passenger displays linked to a number of video sources including a DVD player, a games console and a rear-view camera. Configuration settings in the VDM video compression algorithm were chosen to obtain the ideal balance between video quality and latency, thereby optimising the use of network bandwidth.

SMARTwireX technology offers breakthrough price/performance for high-volume automotive VMs and has been shown to offer significant cost savings compared to existing optical and CAN-based infotainment solutions, replacing expensive optical fibre and heavy wiring looms with a simple unshielded twisted pair (UTP) delivering up to 25Mbps of bandwidth. A comprehensive evaluation system, including tools and protocol stacks is available, and C&CE is taking orders for further concept cars and demonstration systems from VMs worldwide.

About C&C Electronics
Communication & Control Electronics has 10 years experience in the design and supply of digital networking solutions for in-car entertainment and information systems, with millions of nodes delivered to premium brands such as Daimler Chrysler and Jaguar. It is now dedicated to delivering the benefits of a networked infotainment system to the volume car market and with SMARTwireX; it offers the only available high-speed electrical solution that meets stringent automotive requirements. C&CE also develops and supplies data communications protocols, embedded software, tools and engineering services.

For additional information, please contact Steve Holland on +44 (0) 1252 554437.