MOST150 Enables Efficient Transport of Video Streams and IP-Based Packet Data

MOST Cooperation Introduces the Next Generation Infotainment Backbone

Karlsruhe (Germany) October 2007 - The MOST Cooperation, the organization through which the leading automotive multimedia network Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) is standardized, presents MOST150 offering a bandwidth of 150 Mbps. In addition to higher bandwidth, MOST150 features an isochronous transport mechanism to support extensive video applications, as well as an Ethernet channel for efficient transport of IP-based packet data.

With MOST audio and video signals can be transported with high bandwidth efficiency and without any overhead for addressing, collision detection/recovery or broadcast. This way MOST150 offers capacity that packet-switched networks can only achieve with much higher gross bandwidth. Consequently multiple high-definition (HD) video streams and multi-channel surround sound with premium quality of service can be transmitted, while simultaneously moving high loads of packet data around.

MOST150 - The Multi-Channel Network

Like MOST25 and MOST50, MOST150 offers the well known channels for synchronous, packet and control data - but in addition it offers also two new channels: an Ethernet channel and an isochronous channel. The Ethernet channel can transport unmodified Ethernet frames. This permits software stacks and applications from the consumer and IT domain, where the speed of innovation is much faster, to be seamlessly migrated into the car. TCP/IP stacks or protocols utilizing TCP/IP can communicate via MOST150 without any modification. This way MOST150 is the automotive-ready physical layer for Ethernet in the car. In addition MOST150 offers an isochronous channel to support streams which are not synchronized to the MOST frame rate. A typical use-case is the transport of MPEG streams over a MOST network since MPEG streams generally use variable bit-rate. This new MOST feature enables extensive video applications.

MOST150 also adds significant enhancements to the control channel (which is used for real-time control of devices) by doubling the bandwidth in comparison to MOST25.

Physical Layer

MOST150 allows carmakers to continue to use POF and LEDs as light sources. They can continue to use their established optical wire harness and assembly processes which makes the transition to higher bandwidth networking with MOST150 a smooth evolution.

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About MOST Technology
MOST (R) (Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a multimedia networking technology optimized for but not restricted to use in cars. It enables transport of high quality of service audio and video together with packet data and real-time control over a single transmission medium. MOST offers transmission over Plastic Optical Fiber and Unshielded Twisted Pair copper physical layers under automotive conditions. MOST to date is used in over 50 car models and represents the communication backbone for their information and entertainment equipment.

About MOST Cooperation
The MOST Cooperation is the organization through which MOST Technology is standardized and refined so that it continues to stay abreast of the latest industry requirements. Today it consists of 15 international carmakers and more than 70 key component suppliers. They have joined together to work with the MOST Technology and to contribute to its innovation. The MOST Cooperation is prepared to embrace efforts to further develop and standardize the technology for other industries and to establish the corresponding work structures. The MOST Cooperation was founded in 1998 by BMW, Daimler, Harman/Becker and OASIS SiliconSystems (now part of SMSC). Audi joined its Steering Committee in 2000. For more information see www.mostcooperation.com.