Last week the XMOS team was in Stuttgart at the Automotive Testing Expo, showing off its work on Ethernet AVB with partner EMBAS, which amongst other things is developing AVB using xCORE multicore microcontrollers and BroadR-Reach® technology based on twisted pair infrastructure.
The EMBAS demo created quite a buzz, as did an emerging networking protocol called CAN FD, (Controller Area Network with Flexible Data-rate). This extends the capabilities of the current CAN communications protocol, (which allows devices and microcontrollers to communicate without a host computer), by supporting higher bit-rates. CAN FD has the potential to dramatically enhance the speed and determinism of these networks.
Automotive companies at the show told us they are seeing an increased demand for a variety of applications that require AVB capability ranging from time-sensitive networking and low-cost industrial communication to infotainment and futuristic solutions capable of linking up with the latest wearable technology products. Watch this space!