Introduction

Welcome to the Embedded University online! This space on the web is to help you keep track of the latest happenings in Embedded world, helping embedded system developers produce better products faster. I hope this will help you find better ways to build embedded systems and at the same time, maximizing the fun!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Freescale's Ultra-Wideband Brings Wireless Capability to In-Car Entertainment

Freescale Semiconductor's Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless technology is bringing new capabilities to auto infotainment systems. Representing the first auto application to leverage UWB, a wireless video system using Freescale's UWB solution , demonstrates the potential for wireless in-car entertainment systems.


The wireless video system is being shown in a seven-passenger sport utility vehicle (SUV). Leveraging Freescale's UWB, it is able to simultaneously stream two separate video streams to two liquid crystal display (LCD) screens mounted on the back of the driver and passenger headrests, eliminating the need for cables and wires to connect the video server located in the vehicle. An additional two screens, located on the back of the headrests on the second row in the vehicle, wirelessly receive video using 802.11n technology, showcasing the coexistence of UWB with other wireless solutions. This product concept highlights the potential for wireless video and audio entertainment systems used in cars, trucks and SUVs.

"Car multimedia -- or infotainment -- is an ideal application for Ultra-Wideband," said Martin Rofheart, director of the UWB Operation at Freescale. "Delphi, as a global leader in transportation technology, has leveraged its innovation and expertise to lead the development of a UWB-powered video application for the auto industry. This demonstration today is an important milestone and gives attendees a look at the future of auto infotainment."

The potential for wirelessly linking other infotainment systems within the auto, such as gaming or global positioning system (GPS), are easily realizable using UWB, due to the high data rates and low cost of the technology.

With the ability to eliminate wires and cables to individual screens in the auto, which in turn reduces the size and cost of the unit, UWB can help manufacturers deliver a high-quality, low-cost in-car entertainment system. Currently, auto manufacturers are finalizing specifications for 2009 and 2010 models, and the availability of Freescale's UWB solutions now provides these manufacturers with a viable solution for their wireless infotainment systems.

Freescale's UWB solutions enable high rate transfer of video, audio and data streams wirelessly. With wire-like quality, UWB brings a new wireless option to auto, consumer electronics and PC/peripheral manufacturers. Using UWB, for example, an MPEG2 movie or HDTV stream can be broadcast in real-time wirelessly. This allows consumers new freedom in the use of multimedia-centric products, as they no longer need to be connected with wires.


0 Comments: