Marelli and Microchip Technology have unveiled a new solution that allows graphics and video generated by a vehicle’s central computer to be streamed directly to automotive displays using ASA Motion Link (ASA-ML), an open standard for automotive video connectivity.
The joint demonstrator is aimed at helping automakers simplify display architectures, reduce system costs and gain greater flexibility in choosing technology suppliers as vehicle electronics move toward centralized computing and software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures.
ASA Motion Link is an open standard for automotive video connectivity and SerDes (serializer-deserializer) communication developed by the Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA), a global consortium comprising automakers, Tier 1 suppliers and semiconductor companies.
By providing a standardized way to transmit high-speed video and graphics across products from different technology providers, ASA-ML is designed to improve interoperability and offer an alternative to proprietary video transmission technologies.
As a founding member of ASA, Microchip has been working to expand the use of open, interoperable connectivity standards across the automotive industry. The company has already demonstrated interoperability with its camera solutions and is now extending the technology to display connectivity.
Centralized computing, simplified displays
As vehicle architectures become increasingly centralized, automakers need connectivity technologies that can handle higher data volumes without adding complexity or driving up costs. The Marelli-Microchip demonstrator addresses this by taking graphics and video generated by the vehicle’s central computer and processing and transmitting them over a high-speed standardized link using Microchip’s VS7000 ASA-ML chipset.
Marelli has focused on the display side, integrating the technology to configure and optimize the ASA-ML deserializer so it can decode standardized video streams directly at the display.
This enables the display to accurately receive, synchronize and deliver centrally generated content, including camera feeds, navigation maps, infotainment graphics and vehicle control interfaces. At the same time, the approach can reduce the amount of electronics required around individual displays, helping simplify the overall display architecture.
Key technology benefits
The solution is designed around several features intended to address the changing requirements of automotive electronics:
- Open interoperability: Enables connectivity between cockpit systems and displays from different technology providers.
- Greater sourcing flexibility: Open protocol specifications can give automakers more freedom when selecting suppliers.
- Integrated security: Link-layer authentication and encryption are built into the communication channel.
- Robust data transmission: Lossless communication and high immunity to electromagnetic interference support reliable operation in the vehicle environment.
- Scalable performance: Data rates of up to 16 Gbps can support a broad range of automotive display applications.
- Improved efficiency: Embedded Time Division Duplex (TDD) and simplified Forward Error Correction (FEC) help reduce power consumption.
- Ethernet-centric architectures: ASA-ML provides a path toward increasingly Ethernet-based vehicle electronic architectures.
For automakers, the broader significance lies in the move away from closed, proprietary connectivity solutions toward open standards that can support a more flexible vehicle ecosystem. Standardized links between centralized computing platforms and displays can help reduce architectural complexity while making it easier to scale vehicle electronics across different models and configurations.
The collaboration also highlights Marelli’s wider push toward open automotive standards and Microchip’s efforts to expand ASA Motion Link beyond camera connectivity into display applications.
Together, the companies are demonstrating how standardized, secure and high-speed connectivity can support the transition to centralized computing and the next generation of software-defined vehicles.
Leadership Comments
“The transition to software-defined vehicles is driving demand for more open, flexible and scalable electronic architectures,” said Kelei Shen, President of Marelli’s Electronics business. “As an integrator within the automotive ecosystem, Marelli brings together best-in-class technologies from multiple partners to deliver complete solutions for vehicle makers. This collaboration highlights how open standards can accelerate innovation while providing interoperability needed for the next generation of vehicle architectures.”
“Open standards play a critical role in accelerating innovation by reducing dependency on proprietary technologies,” said Kevin So, Vice President of Microchip’s Communications business unit. “Our collaboration with Marelli demonstrates how ASA Motion Link provides automotive manufacturers with a secure, interoperable and scalable connectivity solution that simplifies integration across the ecosystem.”
To Know More About Microchip’s ASA-ML Solutions, Click Here.
