Fujitsu Micro announces world’s first 1394 Automotive for high-definition video in Vehicle Networks

Fujitsu Micro today introduced the world’s first 1394 Automotive controller that transmits high-definition video over the 1394 in-vehicle multimedia network. The new Fujitsu MB88395 controller can simultaneously transmit multiple streams around the vehicle, such as HD video (1,280 dots x 720 lines) from Blu-Ray DVDs, digital TV, and car navigation images. The Fujitsu MB88395 uses a high-speed 800Mbps physical layer and link layer, along with the Fujitsu proprietary SmartCODEC, which provides high compression and can transmit HD video without perceptible latency. This combination brings the rich-HD experience to rear-seat entertainment, reduces vehicle weight and improves fuel efficiency. The combination reduces the system cost of in-vehicle multimedia networks by up to 30 percent, while reducing the number of wire harnesses by a maximum of 70 percent, and can reduce the environmental impact by approximately 10kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year for a car traveling 10,000km. That roughly translates to the amount of CO2 a beech tree absorbs in one year.

The Fujitsu MB88395 also incorporates the Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) encryption protocol that prevents unauthorized duplication, download or alteration of audio or visual media. The new controller complies with the 800Mbps specification of the 1394 standard, doubling the 400Mbps data rate of the previous controller from Fujitsu Microelectronics. Fujitsu expects the new 1394 Automotive in-vehicle networking technology will be available from 2011/ 2012 vehicle models.