Renault Drives Advancement of IDB-1394 Standard; Delivers First Demonstration using 1394 over POF

Renault, an international automotive leader, has played a major role during 2004 to advance the IDB-1394 standard, and in initial deployment of FireWire technology in new vehicles. Members of the Renault team served as the editor and the driving force behind approval of the IDB Forum specifications, which focus on power management, FOT standardization, and related technical issues. It is expected that theses standards will be included into the IDB-1394 specifications, which over time will enable multiple product sources. The new specifications by number and description are as follows:

• IDB-1394/1 ­ Audio/Video Profile for DVD

• IDB-1394/2 ­ Audio/Video Profile for DVB-T

• IDB-1394/3 ­ Audio/Video Profile for Camera

• IDB-1394/4 ­ Audio/Video Streaming and Control Profile

• IDB-1394/5 ­ IDB Power Specification, Physical Media Dependent for wake-up on LAN

Future IDB Forum work includes developing detailed IDB-1394 specifications for in-vehicle camera applications for ITS, along with support of the joint work on developing IDB-1394Cu (the copper physical layer) with the 1394TA. Renault has applied IEEE 1394 as a vehicle local area network (LAN) information system interface, and demonstrated an S200 high-speed bus multi-media Espace vehicle equipped with plastic optical fiber to validate the concept.

This video produced by Renault shows the transport of three simultaneous video streams, DVD player, Digital TV, and a camera that can be used for rear view parking assistance. All use IDB 1394 over POF. Navigation and hot plug-and-play access to an Apple iPOD is included, along with three displays. One display is for front seat and two for back seat passengers. The concept of the demo is simple: to show how to entertain rear and front passengers according to each individual choice. The IDB-1394 POF network enables a reduction in the shielded wiring, and offers a cost-effective solution when compared with existing analog system technology. The touch screen displays allow selection of entertainment sources, while a CAN-IDB 1394 gateway allows the display of the uncompressed video rear camera when the vehicle is in reverse gear.

Simply click here or on the icon below to begin watching this four minute video. Please note that the video does does not have any sound

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