Press Release
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Intelligent Antenna Module for Connected Cars Continental and antenna specialist Kathrein have developed the Intelligent Antenna Module that simplifies wiring throughout the vehicle, takes up less space, improves signal quality and enables optimum scalability.
Regensburg/Rosenheim, April 7, 2010. The new Intelligent Antenna Module is designed to integrate multiple antennas as well as the corresponding transmission and reception electronics into one unit. It enables wireless communication between the vehicle and its outside environment as well as inside the passenger compartment for applications like telephone, GPS, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, WLAN, radio, TV or future car-to-car communication. The antenna module links via a digital bus to various control units in the vehicle, which process the data and make applications available to the user. Continental and Kathrein, the world’s oldest antenna manufacturer, have designed the Intelligent Antenna Module to solve several challenges currently presented by wireless mobile communication. It lowers complexity, reduces costs and improves performance. Since the electronics are located directly at the antenna, less wiring than today is required. The system uses a single data bus connection to shuttle reception and transmission data between the antenna module and the end devices instead of up to ten coaxial cables required by conventional solutions. The concept is highly scalable. Tailored to the needs of the car manufacturer, any mixture of coaxial and databus connections is possible which will reduce the number of cables, connectors and elaborate intermediate amplifiers. With fewer components, the cost and weight of the vehicle can be substantially reduced.
The Intelligent Antenna Module also boosts performance. Attenuation loss caused by coaxial cables is eliminated. In addition, the complete analogue transmission chain, which is sensitive to interference, is now integrated into one housing where it is shielded against undesirable electromagnetic influences.
.../2 Your contact: Enno Pflug: +49 6196 87 2515
-2The Intelligent Antenna Module substantially reduces complexity. Currently radio receivers and transmitters are spread over many control units inside the vehicle. For instance, it is quite complicated for several applications in various control units to use one single piece of information. If the location information from the GPS signal is needed by a navigation system as well as by an eCall emergency call system, at present two GPS receivers and antennas are typically required, since every vehicle that has a navigation system is not necessarily equipped with an eCall system as well, and vice versa. The Intelligent Antenna Module provides this information to all application centrally via the databus, and only one GPS receiver is required.
Since most services use country-specific frequencies, there are country-specific variants of many control units that feature radio electronics. In the future, it will be possible to relocate all of these into the antenna module. This also alleviates the life cycle problem; radio standards and wireless transmission technology, which are changing rapidly to keep pace with entertainment electronics in particular, have to be implemented only in antenna electronics that are designed especially for those functions. Up to now, this modification has been complex and costly, and several control units containing many other components had to be approved afterwards. This is no longer the case. And the coordination activities of the car manufacturer are simplified since only one development partner has to adapt the electronics to the new standards – the developer of the antenna module.
The intelligent antenna module helps automakers reduce energy consumption of air conditioners with solar reflective glazing without sacrificing wireless performance. With infrared reflecting metalized windows as offered today on selected vehicles the interior heats up less, thus reducing the need for the air conditioner and CO2 emissions accordingly. In the case of electric vehicles, the energy required to run the air conditioner reduces the cruising range substantially, so in the future, metalized windows will be particularly beneficial for such vehicles. However, metalized windows attenuate incoming and outgoing electromagnetic waves significantly. This is where the Intelligent Antenna Module comes in. Radio signals within the vehicle are transmitted and received with the internal antennas. Signals from and to the outside are received with the external antennas.
.../3 Your contact: Enno Pflug: +49 6196 87 2515
-3Continental and Kathrein plan to integrate the Intelligent Antenna Module in the area of the roof panel, at the front and rear window or in the trunk lid. Using today’s electronic architectures, modern services in the future would be possible in the car only at high cost. Thanks to its openness for various radio technologies, the Intelligent Antenna Module makes it possible for car manufacturers to integrate the desired technologies into the system at very reasonable prices. The user benefits from low operating costs since the appropriate technology required for the respective situation is put to use. For instance in a downtown area, the Intelligent Antenna Module in a parked vehicle uses the low priced WLAN to connect to internet from a laptop or PDA instead of a costly UMTS.
In the cooperation with Kathrein, the core competencies of the two companies are put to use in an ideal manner: Continental provides the mutual development team with know-how about digital hardware and software as well as systems architecture and integration. As the global market leader for antennas, Kathrein develops the antennas and analog electronics, supported by Continental – which is the world leader when it comes to antenna structures for keyless access control systems as well as tire pressure monitoring systems.
Continental and Kathrein are currently working with two customers to develop an intelligent antenna module for volume production. Two further projects are in the advanced development phase. In a few years, the first Intelligent Antenna Module will be able to reliably link cars to the networked world. “Always On” will then not only apply to just other areas of life, but life in the car as well, making the trip safer and more eco-friendly.
With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately 134,500 in 46 countries. The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €4.4 billion in 2009, 27,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €3.4 billion in 2009, 24,000 employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €4.4 billion in 2009, 27,000 employees) achieved sales of approximately €12 billion in 2009. The Automotive Group is present in more than 130 locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and produces
.../4 Your contact: Enno Pflug: +49 6196 87 2515
-4innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and costefficiency. The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and -sensorics, washer systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and passive driving safety into ContiGuard®. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators, as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives. Information management is at the very heart of the Interior Division, which provides a range of products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car-entry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.
Enno Pflug External Communication Continental Division Interior Sodener Strasse 9 65824 Schwalbach am Taunus Phone: +49 6196 87-2515 / Fax: -792515
[email protected]
www.continental-automotive.com www.continental-corporation.com
Your contact: Enno Pflug: +49 6196 87 2515
Contact data for Kathrein: KATHREIN-Werke KG Central Public Relations Dipl.-Ing. FH Rudolf G. Sonnleitner Anton-Kathrein-Straße 1-3 83004 Rosenheim, Germany
[email protected] www.kathrein.de
