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Today, electrical/electronic systems like ABS/power brakes and electric power steering are all designed to enhance, not replace a mechanical function. If an electrical or electronic fault occurs, the function reverts to the base mechanical capability. Future E/E systems, such as steer-by-wire and brake-by- wire replace mechanical linkages with electrical or optical signals as in computer networks. While these systems offer many potential safety benefits, they will require different strategies for dependability, and as with any vehicle system, they will further require that dependability be an integral part of the overall E/E system design. This paper illustrates how by-wire systems drive different dependability requirements and discusses some key technologies that are emerging to meet these requirements.

As high speed data communication networks are applied to automotive electronic systems, the advantages offered by fiber optics become very attractive to system designers and vehicle manufacturers. Designing fiber optic networks is a new experience for most automotive system designers. Components such as passive stars, optical connectors, optical fiber, LEDs, and photo detectors must be considered. New parameters such as optical attenuation, optical power, flux budget, loss budget, and insertion loss must become as familiar as their electrical counterparts. Integrating all the individual fiber optic components into a network requires an understanding of component parameters and how the components interrelate. The responsibility of the automotive system designer is to assure that the complete system impact of a specific component or parameter is considered in the network design.

Functions controlled by electronics in automobiles are projected to continue to increase throughout the 90s'. As the sophistication of the functions performed increases, data communications will play an increasing role. Accordingly, electromagnetic compatibility will become increasingly difficult to attain both functionally and economically with all-conductor-based data transmission. The need for alternatives such as fiber optics becomes apparent. This paper presents a fiber optic connection system designed specifically to meet automotive requirements.