Analog Devices has announced that A²B 2.0 is now fully released to production. As the next evolution of ADI’s A²B technology, A²B 2.0 is designed to help automotive OEMs and Tier 1s deliver richer in-cabin audio experiences by combining higher bandwidth with Ethernet integration, while keeping the low-latency, simple architecture that has made A²B a go-to choice for automotive audio.
A proven foundation: A decade of A²B adoption
Over the past ten years, A²B has become a de facto standard for in?vehicle audio connectivity. Hundreds of millions of A²B nodes are already on the road, deployed across more than 35 automakers. That wide adoption has created a solid foundation for the next step in the platform’s evolution.
Built for applications where low and deterministic latency is critical, A²B has long supported demanding use cases such as road-noise cancellation and in-car communications through a simple, flexible, and cost-effective audio network.
Its single-main, multiple-sub-node daisy-chain architecture cuts wiring complexity and related costs by up to 75%. The protocol’s straightforward, software-minimal architecture also reduces development time and investment, letting OEMs and Tier 1s move quickly from concept to production.
A²B’s momentum is backed by a broad ecosystem that spans OEMs, silicon partners, and ODMs, plus a rich set of development and test tools that help speed up system design and validation.
The shift to modern vehicle networks and Software-Defined Vehicles
As vehicles move toward software-defined architectures, more in?cabin features are being delivered and upgraded through software rather than hardware swaps.
That shift raises the bar for deterministic, high-bandwidth connectivity that can plug seamlessly into modern in-vehicle networks.
At the same time, expectations for premium audio and infotainment are rising, pushing automakers to deliver higher-bandwidth, low-latency, and deeply integrated audio systems.
A²B 2.0: Built for next-generation cabins and SDV
A²B 2.0 builds on that legacy, expanding the platform with higher bandwidth and Ethernet compatibility while preserving the low-latency, simple architecture that customers already rely on.
Key enhancements include:
- Performance and scalability
- Up to 4× more bandwidth (up to 98.3 Mbps, full duplex) to support more advanced in-vehicle audio topologies.
- Support for up to 119 upstream and 119 downstream audio channels, enabling complex, multi?zone cabin audio systems.
- Ethernet compatibility
- Ethernet data tunneling via the standard Open Alliance SPI (OASPI) interface, giving automakers greater flexibility to carry audio and data over the same link.
- Efficiency, latency, and upgrade path
- Up to 30% system cost reduction through higher functional integration and reduced external circuitry.
- Low, deterministic latency, with a best-case figure of 62 ?s, and an architecture designed for easy integration into existing network stacks.
- Backward compatibility with existing A²B 1.0 cabling and connectors, making it easy to upgrade without a full infrastructure overhaul. The ADAA245x devices can also branch to A²B 1.0 networks, so OEMs can reuse existing modules and extend the life of proven designs.
Leadership Comment
“Audio is central to how drivers perceive refinement, safety, and responsiveness inside the vehicle, especially as cabins become more software-defined,” said Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit, ADI. “In this new era, engineers need audio connectivity that integrates cleanly with the broader vehicle network. A²B 2.0 delivers higher bandwidth, low latency and Ethernet tunneling without adding architectural complexity.”
Availability
A2B 2.0 is now fully released to production. One Can Visit Here
