MOST150 data link layer specification available for license

13th November 2013

Nat Bowers

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Microchip Technology has today revealed that its proprietary MOST150 Data Link Layer Specification is available for license, on a royalty-bearing basis. Making the key technologies available for the lower layers of MOST150 (at an earlier date than originally stipulated), Microchip has provided other semiconductor companies the opportunity to develop, manufacture and supply chips with a MOST150 interface.

On Oct. 1, 2007 the MOST Cooperation committed and communicated that the data link layer specifications of the respective MOST standard speed grades will be opened and licensed after reaching certain defined milestones. Microchip has decided to release and license the MOST150 data link layer specification earlier than required. In the spirit of open technology innovation, this will encourage other semiconductor companies to participate in MOST150 development. With more than 150 car models currently on the road with MOST technology, the MOST Cooperation expects this to rise to over 210 within the next three to five years.

The MOST150 data link layer specification is being published to MOST Cooperation members, who can license its use on a royalty-bearing basis and under Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory licensing terms, similar to other comparable networking standards, such as the Controller Area Network bus. Offering the means to distribute functions among the various control devices around the vehicle, MOST technology enables the networking of feature-rich, multimedia infotainment and driver-assistance systems in automobiles.

In 1998 BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Harman/Becker and OASIS SiliconSystems (acquired by SMSC in March 2005, which in turn was acquired by Microchip in August 2012) founded the MOST Cooperation to establish and refine the MOST technology as a common standard to meet the needs of the automotive networks of today and tomorrow.