Intermateable Cable Connectors for 32 Gbps Automotive Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive data communication systems face challenges in maintaining signal integrity and achieving high data transfer speeds, especially with the increasing complexity of electrical components and the integration of technologies like Lidar, which require mechanical robustness and higher data transmission capabilities than conventional systems can handle.
Innovation Solution
A kit of cable connectors with interchangeable interfaces, including electrical, optical, and hybrid connectors, designed to be selectively intermateable with a common electrical connector, featuring insulative housings, substrates with contact pads, and optical engines, ensuring compliance with various standards for mechanical shock, vibration, and data transfer speeds up to 32 gigabits/second while maintaining signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional electrical connectors (FAKRA, REC DIELECTRIC RF STRIPLINE) are used, then mechanical robustness is achieved, but data transfer speed is limited to 6 GHz or 5 GHz
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design integrates both electrical contact pads and optical fiber interfaces within a single connector body, allowing the same connector to support both electrical signaling (for shorter distances) and optical signaling (for longer distances or higher speeds), thus achieving high data transfer rates while maintaining signal integrity through the appropriate medium selection
2Length of stationary object
If electrical components are spaced further apart in larger vehicles, then vehicle size increases, but signal degradation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows changing the transmission medium parameter from electrical to optical based on distance requirements. Optical fibers are inserted into the connector when longer component spacing is needed, as optical signals experience less degradation over distance compared to electrical signals, thus maintaining signal integrity across larger vehicle configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If a kit with multiple connector types is provided, then adaptability to different applications increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The kit provides electrical and optical cable connectors that are both selectively intermateable with a common electrical connector, allowing a single common connector design to work with multiple connector types. This reduces system complexity by standardizing the common connector interface while maintaining adaptability through the variety of cable connectors that can be paired with it
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical communication system includes a plurality of cable connectors that are configured to mate with the same electrical connector or electrical connectors having substantially identical mating interfaces. The cable connectors can be configured as an electrical cable connector, an optical cable connector, and a hybrid cable connector that includes both optical and electrical communication.