Rubén Pérez de Aranda is CTO and Co-founder of KDPOF

At the Automotive Ethernet Tech Days in Kyoto, Japan, our CTO Rubén Pérez de Aranda will speak about “Infinitely Scalable Automotive Ethernet Optical Networks” on June 20, 2024 at 16:20 JST. In the Kyoto International Conference Center Annex Hall, we will also exhibit our latest demo setup of our first implementation compliant to IEEE Std 802.3cz from June 20 to 21. The demo setup operates in multimode multi-gigabit with 2 plates of multimode fiber 10GBASE-AU.

In his presentation, Rubén Pérez de Aranda will provide an in-depth analysis of the compelling advantages of optical links over traditional electrical connections, emphasizing factors such as bandwidth, latency, and electromagnetic compliance (EMC) performance. The rationale behind the development of a new optical standard specifically tailored to automotive applications is thoroughly examined, alongside its unique features compared to existing data center standards. Furthermore, he’ll present the components that can be leveraged and the ones that need to be developed specifically for automotive. Lastly, Rubén will evaluate the readiness of multi-gigabit optical networks for seamless incorporation into vehicles, considering the whole ecosystem for a complete solution.

Automotive Ethernet: Today an Essential, and Basic Tech for the SDV Era

Welcoming key leaders from major Japanese and international automobile and parts manufacturers, the Automotive Ethernet Tech Days will host a wealth of presentations and discussions on the latest trends and technologies in automotive Ethernet. Automotive Ethernet is a critical technology for next-gen automotive electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures, as vehicles and automotive networks enter the software-defined era. European and American automobile manufacturers are in the lead, with estimates suggesting that about 40 % will adopt zone architecture by 2025, rising to at least 80 % by 2030. Japanese manufacturers are expected to transition to zone architecture as well, spurring market growth.

As automotive Ethernet becomes increasingly important to the industry, this event will bring together leading authorities in the field from major automobile and parts manufacturers around the world for presentations and discussions on next-gen networks and Ethernet’s impact on tomorrow’s automobile.

 

Our team looks forward to meeting you in Japan. Please contact us to set up a meeting date!

Job opening at KDPOF: Graduate Test Engineer

Work Profile

At KDPOF, company dedicated to the R&D and commercialization of high-speed optical communications chips, we are looking for a Graduate Test Engineer. We welcome a self-driven, and motivated Graduate Engineer to join our group to help the team test and develop the next generation of transceivers for optical communications in the automotive sector.

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Job Opening at KDPOF: Automotive Business Development Manager

Work Profile

Fabless semiconductor supplier KDPOF provides innovative high-speed optical networking for harsh environments. Making gigabit communications over fiber optics a reality, KDPOF technology supplies 1 Gb/s POF links for automotive, industrial, and home networks. Founded in 2010 in Madrid, Spain, KDPOF offer their cost-effective technology as either ASSP or IP (Intellectual Property) to be integrated in SoCs (System-on-Chips). KDPOF has about 50 employees, we are in full expansion due to the development of innovative products in the sector and the creation of a unique factory in Spain. As a result, we are looking for an Automotive Business Development Manager (Graduate).

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KDPOF (leading supplier for high-speed connectivity over fiber optics in harsh environments) proudly announced their strategic partnership with Hinge Technology (China-based leader in advanced vehicle electronics architecture) to solve key technical issues in the industrial application of optical communications in vehicles.

Strategic Partnership to Advance Automotive Optical Communications for Future Network Demands

For the development and mass production of in-vehicle electrical and electronic architecture of optical fiber communications, Hinge Technology utilizes ICs from KDPOF to design integrated optical modules combined with automotive-grade connectors and optical fiber harnesses to design the electrical electronic architecture (EEA).

 

Yang Jun is CTO of Hinge Technology

Yang Jun is CTO of Hinge Technology

“The widespread application of optical communications in automotive production faces challenges, including harsh environmental conditions and tough requirements for low cost and high reliability,” stated Yang Jun, CTO of Hinge Technology. “Our collaboration with the leading upstream supplier, KDPOF, accelerates the industrialization of vehicle communications system products based on 1 to 50 Gbps optical communications.”

Carlos Pardo is CEO and Co-founder of KDPOF

Carlos Pardo is CEO and Co-founder of KDPOF

 

Carlos Pardo, CEO and Co-founder of KDPOF added: “We’re proud that Hinge Technology has chosen our transceiver ICs for optical gigabit connectivity in harsh environments. At the recent Automotive Ethernet Summit in Shanghai, China, we showed our first joint project: a plastic optical fiber camera by Hinge Technology based on our well-proven KD1053 IC and integrated KD9351 FOT (fiber optic transceiver).”

Surround View System with High-speed Fiber Optics Camera

Joint demo of KDPOF and Hinge Technology of high-speed camera at Automotive Ethernet Summit in Shanghai, China

Joint demo of high-speed camera at Automotive Ethernet Summit in Shanghai, China

Using KDPOF components, Hinge Technology has developed an optical fiber camera. It can be paired with an optical fiber surround view host, resulting in a high-speed optical communications 360-degree surround view system or a reverse image system. The camera utilizes a 2MP high-quality image sensor for data collection, which is processed and transmitted via plastic optical fiber to the controller for image display or processing. Optical fiber cameras can achieve a stable transmission distance of up to 40 meters and deliver high-definition, real-time images. By comparison, LVDS coaxial cameras have no relay transmission capability and are limited to 15 meters.

The KDPOF EVB9351AUT evaluation board provides an extensive platform for testing the KDPOF KD9351 and KD1053 transceivers, designed for the 1000BASE-RHC PHY implementation in automotive optical networks. The KD9351 IC, with dimensions of 7 mm x 8 mm in an LGA-36 package, handles the PMD sublayer of the physical layer. The KD1053, sized at 7 mm x 7 mm in a QFN-56 package, manages both the PCS and PMA sublayers as specified by IEEE Std 802.3bvTM-2017. This setup supports data transfer rates of 1,000 and 100 Mbps.

Additionally, the board features an SFP slot, enabling it to serve as a media converter between the optical 1000BASE-RHC port and various SFP modules. These can include 1000/100BASE-T, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-S/LX, direct-attach passive twinax cable, and passive serial loopback configurations.

Joint Research and Design for Future Optical Connectivity

KDPOF team visiting Hinge Technology facilities to work on collaborative projects

KDPOF team visiting Hinge Technology facilities to work on collaborative projects

In addition to developing optical EEA for vehicle communications, KDPOF and Hinge Technology will extend their partnership to the application of optical communications technology in battery management systems (BMS) for electric vehicles. The companies are collaborating on the development and manufacturing of optical modules and system-on-chips (SoC). They plan to introduce optical-electronic integrated chip packaging technology in regions of China with well-developed automotive industry clusters, establishing FAB facilities capable of packaging chips with bandwidths ranging from 1 to 10 gigabits.

Utilizing Chiplet technology solutions, they are jointly researching and developing advanced chip-on-panel (COP) packaging technology for low-cost, high-reliability optical processors, optical modules, and complementary optical components tailored for automotive optical communications. This initiative aims to ensure production capacity for various automotive optical communications products. Together they plan to develop and manufacture higher-bandwidth optical communications semiconductors in the future, driving continuous upgrades of EEA architecture for the global automotive industry.

Furthermore, Hinge Technology conducts relevant functional verification on mass-produced vehicle models, including assessing packet loss rates, signal transmission losses, optical module heat dissipation, optical module and optical connector optical path coupling solutions, and optical connection reliability in various road environments. Based on the results of real vehicle verification, Hinge Technology develops corresponding solutions and provides feedback on technical issues related to optical chips to KDPOF for resolution.

More information is available in the white paper from Hinge Technology.

About Hinge Technology

Hinge Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., was established in 2014 in Shanghai, China with a vision to driving continuous upgrades of EEA architecture for the global automotive industry. Since its creation, Hinge has pioneered the development of advanced automotive systems and products such as the self-adapting AUTOSAR system, in-vehicle TSN (time-sensitive networking) Ethernet, and optical Ethernet, essential technologies in crafting the electronic backbone for the smart vehicles of tomorrow. Powered by its R&D capability, Hinge has forged strategic partnerships with prominent entities (both upstream and downstream) across the automotive sector around the globe. Hinge has built a manufacturing and testing hub in Zhuji city, a facility encompassing 40 hectares with mass production capacity and delivery capability for OEMs.

 

English press release PDF
Chinese press release PDF
German press release PDF

VECS 2024: KDPOF Presents First Implementation of IEEE Std 802.3cz

From May 14 to 15, 2024, we will show our optical multi-gigabit automotive Ethernet demo at VECS 2024 – Vehicle Electronics & Connected Services Conference – in Gothenburg, Sweden. This year’s theme is “Shaping the Future of the Transportation Landscape”. At stand C04:12, we’ll display our first implementation compliant to IEEE Std 802.3cz. The demo setup operates in multimode multi-gigabit with 2 plates of multimode fiber 10GBASE-AU.

VECS will bring together the automotive community to share ideas, insights, and inspiration. At the event, you can learn more about the latest innovations, the industry landscape plus benchmark yourselves and show presence among 1500+ peers. Established industry experts, renowned organizations, and agile start-ups will discuss the best use cases regarding process and organizational aspects for a profitable use of new technologies.

We’re looking forward to exchanging experiences and ideas. How are other OEMs coping with the shift to central computer architecture, where the vehicle becomes much more software-based? How do manufacturers tackle the commercial transformation where digitization changes the way that they market & sell their products and also interact with customers?

Meet us at VECS in Gothenburg

We’re delighted to pass on a 20 percent discount* to you. Please register at VECS.se under the registration tab and enter the code KDPOF20 in the discount code field in connection with registration to receive the discount. Our team looks forward to meeting you at VECS. Please contact us to set up a meeting date!

*Please note that this offer does not apply to already registered participants and it is not possible to combine with other offers for this event.

Rubén Pérez de Aranda is CTO and Co-founder of KDPOF

Our CTO Rubén Pérez-Aranda Alonso will give the presentation “An optical nervous system to Interconnect Sensors and artificial brains in AV” at AutoSens USA Conference in Detroit, USA, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11:15 am in room 142C: “I am very excited to speak this year at AutoSens USA, and I appreciate this great opportunity to present the technology development that is happening around automotive optical links.”

In addition, we’ll show our latest demo setup at stand 258 in the exhibition area from May 21 to 23.

For an event preview, please also read the article “Journey through the Agenda: What’s Next for Automotive E/E Architectures?” by AutoSens News.

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Autonomous Driving Presentation at Automotive Ethernet Summit China

We’re excited to be part of the 5th Automotive Ethernet Summit in Shanghai, China! Óscar Ciordia, Sales and Marketing Director, will give the presentation “Advance 10-Gigabit Ethernet Connection Solution Enables the Development of Autonomous Driving”. From April 11 to 12, 2024, this top automotive Ethernet technology summit in the Asia-Pacific region, gathers dozens of OEMs in its fifth year.
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10 Gb/s Connectivity Demo at Automotive Ethernet Congress

We’re grateful about the huge attention at the recent Automotive Ethernet Congress for our brand-new automotive optical multi-gigabit demo. In numerous meetings, our team displayed our first implementation compliant to IEEE Std 802.3cz. The demo setup operates in multimode multi-gigabit with 2 plates of multimode fiber 10GBASE-AU. In addition, we’re proud to show our optical multi-gigabit automotive Ethernet demo at the OPEN Alliance Inc. stand.

“We’re excited about the great interest from the automotive industry on the new optical multi gigabit communication technology from KDPOF,” stated Óscar Ciordia, Sales and Marketing Director. “The positive response once again confirmed this is the path forward!”

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OFC: KDPOF presents new implementation of IEEE 802.3cz Std.

At the OFC – Optical Fiber Communication – Conference, we will exhibit our brand-new multi-gigabit connectivity demo at stand 4848 from March 26 to 28 in San Diego, California, USA, and online. Our setup will show the first implementation in silicon of the IEEE 802.3cz standard. It will operate in multimode multi-gigabit with 2 plates of multimode fiber at 10GBASE-AU.

“As of today, the IEEE 802.3cz standard technology provides the only existing solution for 25 Gb/s and 50 Gb/s single lane connections with 4 inline connectors and a maximum length of 40 meters in the car over OM3 multimode fiber,” explained Luisma Torres Torres, Principal System Architect at KDPOF and active member at IEEE Standards Association.

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KDPOF receives IPCEI investments to build an optoelectronics packaging plant in Spain

This is a translated extract of the article “PERTE Chip o la ambición de situar a España enel mapa de los semiconductores” by Marilés de Pedro for Newsbook, first published on 5 February 2024 in Spanish.

‘It is the most ambitious PERTE of the Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation. Approved in April 2022, the PERTE Chip has a budget of around 12,250 million euros until 2027 and aims to boost the semiconductor sector in Spain. A PERTE, in line with the provisions of the European Chip Law, which came into force last September and which seeks to promote the strategic autonomy of the EU in this critical area. In Spain, the first aid was granted last December to a total of 15 projects, totaling 50 million euros, thanks to the approval last October of the Addendum to the Recovery Plan, which made it possible to mobilize all the resources allocated to Spain from the NextGeneration EU funds …’

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