On November 7, 2024, Werner Coomans of Nokia Bell Labs presented a technological solution to support future vehicle network requirements using optical broadband technologies. The increasing complexity in the vehicle sector, characterized by software-controlled systems, autonomous driving and electrification, places high demands on vehicle networks. These technologies must be insensitive to electromagnetic interference, particularly lightweight for greater range and able to reliably transmit large amounts of data.

Optical fiber technologies ideally meet these requirements because they are immune to electromagnetic interference, significantly lighter than copper cables, and support high data rates. The world's most widely used broadband fiber optic technology, the Passive Optical Network (PON), offers a cost-effective point-to-multipoint architecture that connects a single central unit to up to 256 endpoints. This reduces the number of optical transceivers needed and the switching capacity required to connect all the links together. Expansion is easily possible by adding more fibers or endpoints to a port of a passive optical splitter.

Current standardization efforts in the area of ​​"Fiber in premises" of the ITU-T are already optimizing the requirements of PON for smaller networks, such as those that might be found in vehicles. Demonstrations by Nokia Bell Labs have shown that PON technology can meet strict timing requirements even on a shared medium, making it a promising solution for future vehicular networks.

For more information about Nokia Bell Labs, please visit: www.nokia.com