Trafotek Opto Devices, a Germany-based global leader in vertical cavity surface laser emitter (VCSEL) and laser diode (PD) solutions, and KDPOF, a Spain-based specialist in high-speed optical networking solutions, demonstrated the first 980 nm multi-gigabit interconnect system for automotive systems at last week's ECOC.
Both companies are committed to realizing state-of-the-art optical data communication standards and solutions for the automotive industry. Due to the automotive industry's strong focus on autonomous driving, large amounts of data must be made available for processing in the vehicle. As a result, optical interconnects are needed as a nervous system to manage the flow of data, connecting sensors and the electronic brain, while meeting stringent electromagnetic interference requirements. As this trend intensifies, ThruFast and KDPOF have established a strategic partnership back in 2022, combining their knowledge in the field of data communication devices and networking. Now, significant progress has been made with the first implementation of the new standard IEEE Std 802.3cz (nGBASE-AU), which consists of a transceiver - integrating electronics, photonics and optics in a single IC component. Evaluation boards will soon be available for OEMs to test.
980 nm wavelength VCSEL as new automotive standard IEEE802.3cz
"Automotive is a demanding industry. Therefore, the IEEE Std 802.3cz standard focuses on a high degree of reliability and allows for low cost, high volume production, and a lifetime of 15 years or more," said Rubén Pérez-Aranda, CTO of KDPOF. "By joining the 802.3cz Working Group, vendors like ThruFast have enriched the discussion with their own deep manufacturing and design knowledge of VCSELs and PD devices, resulting in a demanding and reliable standard. Through our further strategic partnership, the goal is to make optical networking an integral part of the automobile of the future," added Pérez-Aranda.
Automotive applications require not only a wider operating temperature range, from -40 °C to as high as 125 °C, but also short interconnect lengths of less than 40 meters. Due to excellent robustness against wear and random failures, 980 nm VCSELs have been approved as the new standard wavelength. 980 nm, in addition to its performance characteristics, is suitable for existing OM3 fibers with low dispersion loss.
