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Software simplifies in-vehicle infotainment network interfacing

26th May 2017

Alice Matthews

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For use in-vehicle infotainment with device control over Internet Protocol (IP), Microchip Technology has made a new high-speed network solution available. Unified Centralized Software Stack (UNICENS) is a software module available at no charge to Microchip customers who are using Intelligent Network Interface Controllers (INIC) such as the OS81118, OS81119 and any future INICs. UNICENS encapsulates many of the network specifics and allows customers to focus on their application development rather than being burdened by network management details.

It enables customers to choose their preferred device control method including Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) technology’s FBlock, Ethernet IP and customer specific methods. UNICENS also supports the configuration and control of all network participants from one central node and can eliminate the need for microcontrollers (MCU) in all other nodes in the network.

“In essence, UNICENS and INICs provide the customer with the control method of an Ethernet-based network without the challenges of managing bandwidth reservation protocol for audio and video data,” said Dan Termer, Vice President of Microchip’s Automotive Division. “Using UNICENS eliminates the need for a MCU and software management in network nodes, which results in cost savings and faster time to market. It takes Ethernet and MOST technology and combines the best of both worlds.”

Customers can apply standardised software API (such as open, read, write) and Ethernet device control today with the free UNICENS software and proven MOST technology INICs from Microchip. Customers do not need to have extensive knowledge of MOST technology or commit to an extensive MOST technology network to use UNICENS software.