Concepts in Data Communications for Vehicular Systems

The evolution of electronics and its impact on data communications in vehicular and inter-vehicular systems is characterized in this paper in terms of four product phases and three architectural layers. Today we have many of the technologies needed to propel us along this technology roadmap. However, since automotive electronics represents only a small share of the total electronics market, the automotive industry cannot afford to develop proprietary positions in each technology it needs for the future. Instead, the market needs automotive manufacturers to lead in developing an “open system architecture for data communications” so that suppliers can work with them to develop the key technologies and products needed for the “Intelligent Car of the Future.”