INICnet™ Technology for Automotive Multimedia Networking

INICnet technology is the true automotive multimedia networking technology. Only INICnet technology supports audio, video, packet data (including IP), and control messages over a single cable, with efficiency and simplicity. INICnet technology is capable of relaying IP traffic via Ethernet data frames, across network boundaries. Its inherent routing function enables inter-networking between multimedia infotainment applications and other functional domains.

Competing technologies either don’t handle the data types or require substantial external processing of the data. Audio is a key infotainment feature, and INICnet technology supports standard digital audio formats with multiple sources and multiple sinks with no software overhead. Simultaneously, INICnet technology provides high-speed, packet-data communications supporting file transfers, code updating, system management and system diagnostics via standard Ethernet frames.

Various system management technologies are possible including IP-based implementations, or message-based schemes. An INICnet technology infotainment system is fully compatible with other IP-based networks allowing seamless integration of IP-based system management and data communications. At the same time INICnet technology supports multiple channels of stream data. INICnet technology supports all infotainment data requirements using one cable, one connector, with one implementation to qualify and validate.

INICnet technology supports static network-resource management via UNICENS technology wherein all network nodes are discovered and fully configured for all data I/O from a central point in the system relieving the burden of network and resource management from all but one node. Any IP-based system management can be implemented via the Ethernet channel such as SOME/IP or MQTT. Dynamic system and resource management via MOST^® technology is fully supported.

A family of compatible INICnet technology ICs is available at data rates of 50 Mbps and 150 Mbps. Network management is integrated, offloading the host processor from that real-time task while protecting the network from a faulty node. In fact, INICnet technology supports “slim” (processorless) nodes where configuration of the Intelligent Network Interface Controller (INIC) and its peripheral devices is managed by a host device elsewhere in the network. A variety of topologies include point-to-point, ring or daisy-chain. The nodes can be arranged in any order with the resulting network functionality remaining the same.

All devices in the network support packet, stream (e.g. audio), and message data types. Any device on the network can source or sink these data types. Efficient utilization of network bandwidth means that the bandwidth is available for applications, not overhead. Stream data requires no header, footer, addressing or processing, just the raw data is sent.

Our INICs are advanced integrated circuits that support in-vehicle multimedia networking. INICnet technology supports multimedia data types, including audio, video, and packet data, all over a single cable. INICs include a wide variety of industry-standard application interfaces including I²S™, USB, SPI, MediaLB^® bus, I²C, and TSI, supporting the entire range of ECU functionality from simple to sophisticated.

Learn how to use our products and the capabilities of  INICnet™, UNICENS and MOST^® technologies effectively to create your automotive applications. These training modules and customized training options are taught by an experienced trainer and provide a balanced mix of theory and hands-on exercises where you can use the latest tools and software.