Focus on ASA Motion Link
Microchip acquires ADAS and digital cockpit pioneer VSI
Microchip announces the completion of the acquisition of VSI, a Korean pioneer in high-speed asymmetric camera, sensor and display connectivity technologies based on the Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) open standard for In-Vehicle Networking (IVN).
According to the Yole Group, the market for radar, camera and LiDAR modules for motor vehicles will more than double between 2022 and 2028 and reach a turnover of 27 billion US dollars. The reason for the expected growth is the increasing prevalence of driver assistance systems, in-vehicle monitoring, safety and comfort functions (e.g. 360-degree all-round visibility, electronic mirrors) and digital cockpits with multiple screens for the next generation of software-defined vehicles.
These applications require highly asymmetric raw data and video connections and higher bandwidths, so current proprietary Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes)-based solutions are no longer sufficient from both a commercial and technical perspective. In response to these developments, the Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) was founded in 2019 and published the first ASA-ML (ASA Motion Link) specifications as an open standard.
Microchip addresses the most important in-vehicle networking markets
»The acquisition integrates VSI's skilled team, market position and ASA Motion Link technologies and products into Microchip's comprehensive automotive networking portfolio. This will enable us to better serve the ADAS megatrend on which we are focused,« said Mitch Obolsky, Senior Vice President of Microchip's Automotive Products, Networking and Data Center business units.
»The industry is focused on the three primary IVN pillars of Ethernet, PCIe and ASA Motion Link, and camera and display connectivity is one of the fastest growing and largest IVN markets. With VSI, Microchip is now able to offer products that cover all three pillars and also provide our customers with vehicle safety, microcontroller, motor control, touch and power management solutions to realize their next-generation software-defined vehicle architectures.«
Today, the ASA has more than 145 members, including Microchip as a supporting member. With 11 automakers, such as BMW, GM, Ford, Stellantis and Hyundai-Kia Motors Corporation, the alliance also includes an ecosystem ranging from Tier 1 suppliers, semiconductor and imager providers to test and compliance providers.
ASA-ML is not only an open standard, but also provides link-level security and scalability, supporting line speeds from 2 Gbps to 16 Gbps. In addition, the upcoming specification update will enable ASA-ML to support Ethernet-based architectures.
Standard-compliant ASA-ML chipsets
»Microchip Technology is an established and recognized leader in the automotive connectivity market, known for its quality and robust supply chain. Our team looks forward to working with Microchip Technology to tap into the growing ADAS and digital cockpit connectivity market,« emphasized Steve Kang, CEO of VSI.
»VSI is a leader in the development of ASA-ML products and was the first to bring products to market. Our standards-compliant chipsets are being evaluated by automotive manufacturers worldwide. Recently, we worked with BMW on a proof of concept to demonstrate ASA-ML and the viability of our products. This acquisition brings together two companies that share a commitment to technological advancement through innovation. We look forward to successfully implementing our solutions in production vehicles in the coming years.«
BMW wants to use standardized ASA-ML
In March 2024, the BMW Group announced at the Automotive Ethernet Congress in Munich that it would switch to standardized ASA-ML for the next production launches. BMW relies on the use of standardized technologies in its vehicle architectures and now also in its video architecture.
