Automotive networks standards receive overhaul

Most specifications have continuously been amended and extended in order to narrow the possibility for different interpretations by implementers

The Most Cooperation has overhauled the automotive multimedia network specifications and implemented an integrated compliance verification process to enhance quality while reducing the cost at the same time. The supply chain for optical connectors has been shortened and the requirements for new ICs with more implemented functions for Most nodes have been introduced.To further optimise robustness and user friendliness, the specifications have been refined to remove ambiguities and add clarity.

Since its first volume implementation, the Most specifications have continuously been amended and extended in order to narrow the possibility for different interpretations by implementers.

For example the management of a Most network has been described in a very detailed way.The specification is further complemented through respective standard driver stacks (NetServices) that are available from several sources.

They have been optimised for seamless portability to different system architectures.

The Most Cooperation has added descriptions of the dynamic behaviour of functional entities such as various APIs.

The necessary master functions to manage a Most network have been described with message sequence charts.

These specifications have been implemented in software that is available as standard code.

Third parties have been encouraged to develop products.

New tools are available for network analysis and compliance verification that cover most aspects of development, production and quality assurance of Most components.

Since the optical components account for about two thirds of the cost of a Most interface, the Most Cooperation invested the effort of restructuring the fibre optic transceiver (FOT) supply chain.

The fibre optic transceiver (FOT) has previously been delivered to the connector manufacturer, who assembles the FOT and connector into an optical header and then delivers it to the Tier 1.

The margin multiplication and duplication of process steps makes the optics very expensive.

With the new design, FOT and connector will both be directly delivered to the Tier 1.

This new principle will be standardised as the optical physical layer is developed for Most150.

It is therefore expected that cost of the optics for Most150 will be less than the current generation optics.