The accelerating development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and mobile multimedia services are mainly due to the emergence of international standards and infrastructures and developments in semiconductor technology and microelectronics. The key to these advances is advanced system-on-chip technology, combined with strategic alliances. The development of an international ITS system is one of today's greatest industrial challenges, and involves the electronics and car industries, national governments, and many other players. Market research suggests that, by 2005, electronics will account for 25% of the cost of a new car, and cover voice-controlled cellular telephones, anti-collision systems, navigation, climatisation, and other features. One aim will be to combine different functions onto a single chip. The development of true system-on-chip capability will make ITS and mobile multimedia practical. Each electronic system in a car will move towards single-chip or super integrated solutions. Customers must become completely confident that the chip will be 100% compatible with the personal computer (PC). One step will be to combine analogue and digital functions into one chip compliant with the DSRC global specification. The Mobile Multimedia Link (MML) uses plastic optical fibre technology in a star network.
Abstract