Abstract: An antenna assembly for a vehicle and a method of using the antenna assembly with a vehicle communication system. The assembly includes a substrate and an antenna array. The substrate may be sized for a radio frequency-friendly (RF-friendly) region in the vehicle, and the antenna array carried by the substrate. The antenna array includes two or more antennas configured for communication in different RF bands.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system may include a first vehicle node, a second vehicle node, and a fiber optic node connection. The first vehicle node includes an electronic processing unit coupled to a first communication circuit that includes a plurality of self-configuring optical cells. The fiber optic node connection couples the first vehicle node to the second vehicle node using at least some of the self-configuring optical cells. In response to a trigger event, the electronic processing unit is adapted to configure the plurality of self-configuring optical cells to enable communication between the first and second vehicle nodes via the fiber optic node connection.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system may include a first vehicle node, a second vehicle node, and a fiber optic node connection. The first vehicle node includes an electronic processing unit coupled to a first communication circuit that includes a plurality of self-configuring optical cells. The fiber optic node connection couples the first vehicle node to the second vehicle node using at least some of the self-configuring optical cells. In response to a trigger event, the electronic processing unit is adapted to configure the plurality of self-configuring optical cells to enable communication between the first and second vehicle nodes via the fiber optic node connection.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes a plurality of functional system modules (FSMs) and a master system module (MSM) coupled to the FSMs. The MSM includes a multi-core processing unit that includes multiple functioning core assemblies (FCAs) and a managing core assembly (MCA). Each FCA includes a substrate carrying a core CPU and an optical interface circuit carried by a first edge of the substrate. The MCA includes a substrate having a first and second major surfaces—the first major surface includes a plurality of rows of electrical connections, each of which are adapted to couple with one of the FCAs to enable communication between the core CPU (of MCA) and the core CPUs (of the FCAs). Each of the FCAs may have a second edge that abuts the first major surface at one of the plurality of rows of electrical connections.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes an antenna system for a vehicle and a method of determining a connectivity status of the antenna system. The antenna system includes a test antenna for transmitting a wireless diagnostic signal with a signature waveform and a primary antenna that receives the wireless diagnostic signal and provides a corresponding wired diagnostic signal to a diagnostic circuit. The diagnostic circuit is configured to determine a connectivity status of the antenna system based on the presence or absence of the signature waveform in the wired diagnostic signal received from the primary antenna. It is possible for the diagnostic circuit to include a finite state machine (FSM) for carrying out the connectivity status determination.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes an antenna system for a vehicle and a method of determining a connectivity status of the antenna system. The antenna system includes a test antenna for transmitting a wireless diagnostic signal with a signature waveform and a primary antenna that receives the wireless diagnostic signal and provides a corresponding wired diagnostic signal to a diagnostic circuit. The diagnostic circuit is configured to determine a connectivity status of the antenna system based on the presence or absence of the signature waveform in the wired diagnostic signal received from the primary antenna. It is possible for the diagnostic circuit to include a finite state machine (FSM) for carrying out the connectivity status determination.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the high-speed transfer of data within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving at a high-speed transmitter non-video parallel data from a plurality of data sources in the vehicle; sampling the parallel data received from the plurality of data sources; serializing at the high-speed transmitter the parallel data from the plurality of data sources; and then transmitting via a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) the parallel data to a high-speed receiver in the vehicle for deserialization while performing a sample and hold function as new parallel data is received at the high-speed transmitter during transmission, wherein the high-speed transmitter is configured to provide video data.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system and a corresponding method that is representative of a new type of communication architecture for vehicles, provides many improvements over traditional vehicle buses. The vehicle communication system includes at least one central node manager and a number of local nodes that are located throughout the vehicle and that are connected to the central node manager via dedicated node connections.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for a vehicle and a method of using the antenna assembly with a vehicle communication system. The assembly includes a substrate and an antenna array. The substrate may be sized for a radio frequency-friendly (RF-friendly) region in the vehicle, and the antenna array carried by the substrate. The antenna array includes two or more antennas configured for communication in different RF bands.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the high-speed transfer of data within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving at a high-speed transmitter non-video parallel data from a plurality of data sources in the vehicle; sampling the parallel data received from the plurality of data sources; serializing at the high-speed transmitter the parallel data from the plurality of data sources; and then transmitting via a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) the parallel data to a high-speed receiver in the vehicle for deserialization while performing a sample and hold function as new parallel data is received at the high-speed transmitter during transmission, wherein the high-speed transmitter is configured to provide video data.

Abstract: A vehicle radiant heating control system is provided that comprises a radiant heating element, a power source and a controller. The power source is operatively connected to the radiant heating element. The controller operatively controls the radiant heating element and the power source. The controller operates the radiant heating element by intermittently supplying power generated by the power source to the radiant heating element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a security vehicle lighting system. The system includes a rocker panel trim member arranged to conceal at least a portion of a vehicle rocker panel, the trim member having a lower wall portion having at least one aperture formed therein, the lower wall portion defining an interior surface and an opposing ground-facing surface and extending inboard toward the rocker panel, and at least one light member disposed between the rocker panel and the interior surface and adjacent the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one light member is mounted on the interior surface of the trim member and operable to illuminate a portion of the ground proximate the trim member.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a fiber optic assembly and a cable assembly. The fiber optic assembly is configured to couple a controller to a plurality of vehicle components to enable communication of information between the controller and the vehicle components. The cable assembly extends from a vehicle power supply, with each of the vehicle components electrically coupling to a different respective location along the cable assembly to receive power from the vehicle power supply via the cable assembly. A portion of the fiber optic assembly and a portion of the cable assembly are mechanically coupled to each other such that the portion of the fiber optic assembly and the portion of the cable assembly collectively extend along the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a security vehicle lighting system. The system includes a rocker panel trim member arranged to conceal at least a portion of a vehicle rocker panel, the trim member having a lower wall portion having at least one aperture formed therein, the lower wall portion defining an interior surface and an opposing ground-facing surface and extending inboard toward the rocker panel, and at least one light member disposed between the rocker panel and the interior surface and adjacent the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one light member is mounted on the interior surface of the trim member and operable to illuminate a portion of the ground proximate the trim member.

Abstract: A vehicle radiant heating control system is provided that comprises a radiant heating element, a power source and a controller. The power source is operatively connected to the radiant heating element. The controller operatively controls the radiant heating element and the power source. The controller operates the radiant heating element by intermittently supplying power generated by the power source to the radiant heating element.