Polymer Optical Fibers For Automotive Communications

As the Automotive Industry moves towards higher electronic functionality in vehicles, the volume of information transported is increasing at a rate that is surpassing the capability of standard copper wiring. In an effort to control the massive wiring required, the industry is moving into signal multiplexing approaches. However, multiplexing raises the data rates employed, which increase the requirements on the interconnect medium, and its price. Polymer Optical Fiber offers distinct advantages over the copper alternatives, in performance as well as economics. This paper will review standard and improved polymer optical fibers that address this very important market segment.