ams OSRAM and DOMINANT Opto Technologies to enable smart automotive ambient lighting with intelligent RGB LEDs leveraging Open System Protocol
ams OSRAM, a global player in intelligent sensors and emitters, and DOMINANT Opto Technologies, a leading Malaysian manufacturer of automotive LED solutions, have unveiled a collaborative partnership aimed at integrating ams OSRAM’s Open System Protocol (OSP) into DOMINANT Opto Technologies’ upcoming generation of intelligent RGB LEDs tailored for automotive ambient lighting.
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- Launched by ams OSRAM in 2023, the Open System Protocol (OSP) is attracting interest from a wide range of manufacturers of Integrated Circuits (ICs) and LEDs for use in the car interior
- DOMINANT Opto Technologies will use OSP in their next intelligent RGB LED generations, thus providing an important independent validation of this future-oriented communication technology
- The Open System Protocol is an open, license-free technology for connecting RGB LEDs, sensors and microcontrollers from diverse manufacturers
Introduced by ams OSRAM in 2023, the OSP is an open, license-free communication technology for connecting RGB LEDs, sensors, and microcontrollers from diverse manufacturers. DOMINANT Opto Technologies' commitment to integrating OSP into its upcoming products validates the protocol's position as a universal method for connecting intelligent LEDs in vehicles. This major step facilitates a more resilient supply chain for automotive manufacturers, allowing them to source ambient lighting LEDs and components from various vendors without reconfiguring system communication when switching suppliers.
New possibilities for ambient lighting: mood, warnings, information
As automotive interior design evolves into a 'third living space,' ambient lighting takes on a new significance. Dynamic ambient lighting, controlled intelligently with animation effects, color changes, and intensity variations, serves various purposes – such as setting moods, conveying information, displaying warnings, and effectively presenting the car's branding. These functionalities demand intelligent RGB LEDs and a communication protocol compatible with any microcontroller's standard serial interface, capable of carrying high-frequency control signals.
The OSP infrastructure, introduced alongside ams OSRAM's OSP-compliant intelligent RGB LED, the OSIRE® E3731i, fulfils these requirements. With DOMINANT Opto Technologies also joining the OSP ecosystem, automotive manufacturers can from now on have a second source of OSP-compatible LEDs – a fascinating step that fosters innovation and flexibility in ambient lighting solutions.
OSP in action: OSIRE® E3731i
The OSIRE® E3731i, the industry's first OSP-compliant intelligent RGB LED, features an integrated ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) that drives three RGB emitters, ensuring excellent color homogeneity by providing measurement data for automatic color calibration. This calibration is crucial, especially for long strings of LEDs throughout the car interior. The OSIRE® E3731i supports daisy-chain configurations with up to 1000 LEDs in a single string, requiring just two communication and two power lines each, streamlining implementation and potentially enabling single-layer PCB designs.
AEC-Q102-qualified and compliant with automotive EMC requirements, the OSIRE® E3731i is setting benchmarks for intelligent RGB LEDs in the automotive sector.
DOMINANT Opto Technologies is delighted to join the OSP ecosystem. This enables DOMINANT to expand its existing seddLED product portfolio to fulfill various customer requirements. The seddLED+ A3H will be the first OSP-compliant intelligent RGB LED to be launched on the market. The target is to have a prototype sample available in Q3 of FY2024.
Joint vision for the future: OSP adoption
Both ams OSRAM and DOMINANT Opto Technologies emphasize the importance of OSP as a common base for the architecture of their future intelligent RGB LEDs. Recognizing the industry's need for multiple sourcing options, OSP facilitates easy and cost-efficient communication within LED chains, enabling car manufacturers to choose from various vendors without redesigning architectures.
While maintaining unique features in their individual solutions, ams OSRAM and DOMINANT Opto Technologies aim to increase compatibility levels for future generations of LEDs and sensors. While formal standardization is not necessary, it remains an option for discussion within the automotive lighting community. The OSP protocol is open and free of license fees, inviting additional partners to join and contribute to fostering innovation and compatibility within the automotive lighting community.
www.ams-osram.com
