Master of Science Thesis

Optic Fiber Communication

in Commercial Vehicles
Testing of mechanical rigidity

Author: Parasuraman Venugopal Vijay

Adhithyan
Supervisor: Peter Li
Examiner: Sven-Erik Sandström
Term: VT20
Subject: Electrical Engineering
Level: Advanced
Course code: 5ED36E
Abstract

The backbone of this dissertation is a discussion of the adaptability of optical

fiber modes of transmission. The technological boom in commercial vehicles
tends to include more electronic components and more data flow. The
traditional copper transmission is reliable but has drawbacks. At present the
optical fiber technology is in huge demand in fields like avionics, medicine,
and communication across continents. The drastic shift to fiber was due to the
enormous increase in capacity. Simultaneously the commercial vehicle sector
is advancing in the direction of sensors that require a non-disruptive data flow.
Furthermore, autonomous driving technology pushes the transition from
copper to optic fiber. One expects optical fiber to supplant the traditional
copper cables in the future. The dispersion and scattering losses need to be
studied as well as the difference in cost.
Keywords

 EMI – Electro-Magnetic Induction

 LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

 LED – Light Emitting Diode

 MOST – Media Oriented System Transport

 EMC – Electro Magnetic Compatibility

 CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access

 ECU – Electronic Control Unit

 CAB – Cabin

 POF – Polymer Optical fiber

 LISN – Line Impedance Stabilization Network

 SDK – Software Development Kit

 EEPROM – Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory

 USB – Universal Serial Bus

 Acknowledgments

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”-
John F. Kennedy.

Throughout the writing of my thesis, I received a great deal of support and

assistance. First, I would like to thank the Company Scania for offering me this
topic, which made me understand optical fiber communication.
I would also like to thank my manager Emma Skoglund at Scania, for
having faith in me and believing that I am capable enough to handle this topic.
Also, I would like to thank my supervisor Peter Li from Scania, for being a
great support in helping me see things from an interesting point of view.
Your suggestions are something that I would like to carry along with things I
learned from this venture.
I would also like to thank my university professor Sven-Erik Sandström for
being excellent academic support in helping with various essential needs for
this topic. Further, I would like to thank the project client KDPOF for
assisting me with deeper technical prowess. They have been working in
optical fiber for an extended period, with whom I got introduced with the
organization's help.
I would also like to thank my colleagues at Scania, who made me feel
like a part of the team that made me feel confident during the working hours
in the company. They also guided me during my technical presentations with
constructive feedbacks that would help me better myself for the future.
Finally, I would like to thank my family and my friends. They provided
me the right motivation and ideas with which I was able to channel my
thoughts and delivered stimulating discussions outside my thesis. Also,
supporting me during the hard times I went through during this thesis was
pivotal in driving me towards my completion.
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction .......................................................................................... 1

1.1. This Thesis ............................................................................................... 3

2. Optical Fiber Communications System ............................................... 5

2.1. Optical fiber types..................................................................................... 7

2.2 The principle of total internal reflection..................................................... 8

2.3 Glass optical fiber .................................................................................... 8

2.4 Polymer optical fiber ................................................................................. 9

2.5 Attenuation in general.............................................................................. 11

2.6 Losses in optical fiber communication .................................................... 12

3. The necessity for Optical fiber ............................................................ 14

3.1 Automotive EMC contemplations ........................................................... 15

4. Proposed Practical Analysis ................................................................ 19

4.1 Environmental tests ................................................................................ 20

4.2 Proposed vibration tests ........................................................................... 22

4.3 Bending loss........................................................................................... 23

5. Conclusion .......................................................................................... 25

6. Appendix............................................................................................. 27

7. References ........................................................................................... 32

1
Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Data transmission plays a vital role in various fields like telecommunication,

aviation, and medicine. Reliability and cost reduction were goals that the
technology was intended to achieve. The capacity to carry much information with
low losses was essential [1]. When the laser was first discovered in 1960, its
usefulness for optical communication was instantly recognized, and work in that
arena could begin in earnest [1]. The last decade has seen fiber technology in
telecommunications, aviation, and automation [2]. The reliability of optical
fiber communication is due to a collection of qualities. The optic fiber is better
than copper transmission cables due to the factors,

 Electro-mobility
 Shielding efficiency
 EMI robustness

These factors are vital [1], especially the elimination of the shielding problem.
The data rates considered here are of the order of 150 Mbit/s [1]. The light source
that was used in the early 1960s was LASER. In the late 1960s, diode lasers
provided a higher data transmission rate and lower attenuation. After the
invention of the Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and Polymer-optical fibers (POF),
they became widely used for their speed and few intrinsic manufacturing defects
[3]. Today the intricacy of components is high and increasing. At present, the
typical optical data bus is MOST, but alternatives are underway [4]. For example,
the current generation of aircraft is made of carbon fiber to reduce weight. This
makes them vulnerable to lightning strikes if copper cables are used[1].

1
 Modern avionic fiber networks offer higher bandwidth and less weight
and attenuation [5]. The cable’s mechanical durability is of the utmost
importance. They must also withstand temperatures ranging from -55℃ to
+125℃ along with swift temperature changes, vibration, abrasion, and toxic
smoke [2]. The fly-by-wire technology is used in commercial and military
aircraft, space applications, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The optic fiber
reduces weight in unmanned vehicles by reducing the copper cable sheathing
that takes up a lot of space and is costly [6]. They can also be used in the
parts of an aircraft that are inaccessible. Presently the aviation industry
depends on optical fiber technology as a substitute for copper cables [2].

The present scenario in the automobile industry is an indulgence in

multimedia and telematics applications. The proper functioning of this
equipment requires a considerable transmission bandwidth which led to the
development of Media Oriented Systems Transmissions and topologies that
facilitated a smoother transmission [1]. This calls for a high-caliber mode of
communication, where optical fiber plays a significant role [7]. Their data
flow rates are of the order of 10 Gigabits per second. Also, they are cost-
efficient since they depend only on the intensity and quality of the Light
Emitting Diode (LED) [8].

In the long run of copper cable systems, their maintenance becomes a

little pricey, and sometimes the sheathing of the copper cable becomes
expensive. This type of equipment has EMC issues similar to those occurring
in automobiles or in domestic or industrial environments [9]. The use of
copper cables requires a lot of space, and the weight may have structural
consequences [4].

At present, optical fiber communication is the most reliable alternative.

The fiber infrastructure is utilized in broadband networks worldwide [7].
Therefore, there is a need for large bandwidths and short delays. The optical
fiber cables provide massive and incomparable transmission bandwidth with
insignificant loss, and it is at present the only dependable means of massive
transmission [13].

2
 Research and development in this field led to innovation in transmission
[11]. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) uses multiple channels, and
the modes of wavelength transmission squeeze data together, allowing better
flow. The future of telecommunications is dependent on optical fiber cables
and their evolution [11]. The future trends of optical transmission are

 all-optical communication
 multi terabit optical networks
 intelligent optical transmission
 ultra-long-haul optical transmission

The internet is based on fiber technology and has tremendous

flexibility and speed [14]. Glass fibers are preferred for long-distance
transmission, while polymer cables are better for short distances [15]. Criteria
are the output optical power and the input electrical power. The spectral width
of the light-emitting source, as well as the beam divergence and the
geometrical size, should be small for a satisfactory coupling efficiency [13].
Primary light sources, that the present producers depend on, are the Light
Emitting Diodes or Lasers. The direct application of optic fiber in the field of
communication are sea links such as the Atlantic optical fiber sea-link and the
Transatlantic connection sea-link [13].

1.1 This thesis

This thesis mainly focuses on the transition from copper to fiber. The copper
transmission cables serve as the spine of the commercial vehicle, comparable
to the nervous system in the human body. They play a significant role in
combining different ECU components like multimedia systems, audio/video
inputs, and lights in warning systems [9]. These varieties of ECU systems
contribute to the proper functioning of the whole system [9].

3
 This EMC issue poses difficulties in the functioning of system as a
whole and threatens to cause malfunctioning of sensors [4]. Furthermore,
there is an essential issue: the insulation of the copper cables from the heat
generated by the motors that are in their proximity. The cables occupy a
considerable space and add to the weight [16]. There is also the price since
copper is expensive compared to the polymer cable.

The optic fiber cables will displace copper transmission due to technical
aspects such as bandwidth, transfer rate, attenuation of the signal, and
immunity to EMC [11]. This thesis discusses various possible mechanical
tests that can be conducted to check how the optical fiber cable performs in
relation to pre-determined standards for commercial vehicles. The tests are
the same as for copper cables. This idea is to be implemented only for
specific parts of a commercial vehicle, the CAB, and the Chassis [9]. The tests
are essentially applied to the fiber cable and the connectors [17]. One
considers vibration in the vehicle, extreme temperatures, load-bearing
capacity, drop tests, etc. [16].

4
Chapter 2

Optical Fiber Communication Systems

By understanding the basics of an optical fiber, we can appreciate its

essential qualities and function. Optical fiber technology utilizes photon
pulses to transfer information through an optical fiber cable from one point to
another. The transmitted data is usually generated by telephone systems,
computer systems, and multimedia transmission [15].

Figure. 2.1. Optical fiber communication system.

The figure 2.1 describes the optical fiber communication system. The
system has two ends, and transmission occurs at one end. At the input, the
signal is converted from an electric signal to a photon pulse in the transmitter.

6
A photon pulse is then detected at the receiver and decoded into digital form
[11]. By this method, the transmission takes place in an enclosed dielectric
medium [11]. Usually, to reduce the attenuation and increase the efficiency,
the cable is graded by means of enhanced semiconductors. In another method,
additional layers of silica material are provided with lower refractive indices
[7].

Figure.2.2 Pictorial representation of a basic optical fiber system (polymer

cables).

The figure shows the transmitter and the receiver circuit connected by a
polymer optical fiber cable [18]. In general, the optical fibers come in two
categories: Step index optical fiber, with single or multi-mode optical fiber,
and the graded-index optical fiber [3]. The single-mode step-index fiber has a
radius of 5 micrometers and allows only one mode [3]. The multi-mode
optical fiber has a core radius greater than or equal to 25 micrometers,
allowing multiple modes to pass through the fiber [3].

7
2.1. Optical fiber types

The basic structure of an ideal optic fiber has three concentric components
the core, the cladding, and the outer coating. The core is generally made of
either glass or polymer. This part of the cable is the medium through which
the light propagates [19]. The cladding is generally made of more purified
silica with a slightly lesser refractive index (usually about 1% lower) [19].
The change in the refractive index causes total internal reflection at the
interface to the cladding. As a result, the light wave propagates through the core
rather than leaking through the sidewalls [19]. The third and outermost layer
typically comprises one or more coats of a plastic material to shield from the
environment [19]. The coating is classified according to mode of
transmission and material.

Figure 2.1.1 Basic structure of optic fiber cable.

8
2.2 The principle of total internal reflection

The refractive index characterizes optical materials and is defined as the ratio
of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the material [19]. In
other words, when a light beam passes from one material to another that has
a different refractive index, the ray is bent according to Snell's law of
refraction:
NI sin I = NR sin R
N1 is the index in the core and NR is the index in the cladding of the material
by which the beam is refracted. The variables I and R are the angle of
incidence and refraction respectively [19].

Figure 2.2.1 Representation of total internal reflection.

2.3 Glass optical fiber

These fibers are usually made of silica, which is smelted to form a thin
optical fiber. Since they are made of glass they tend to break when subjected to
bending, but they do not have the disadvantages of bending loss [8]. The glass
fibers are also used in places such as space vehicles to view unreachable
components by means of an arm and a camera [6].

9
These cables provide a data rate of the order of Gigabits/s. This exceeds, by
far, even copper cables or wireless mode of transmission has ever been
achieved. Glass optical fiber operates in wavelengths ranging from 800 nm to
1600 nm [14]. Due to the bending restrictions for glass fiber they tend to be
used for lower frequencies [20]. For long distances there is attenuation and
hence a need for repeaters [13].

2.4 Polymer optical fiber

These cables have benefits compared to glass and copper [7]. They are more
robust and ductile to handle when provided with easy plug interconnections.
Further developments include multiplexing multiple light sources in the
given Polymer optical fiber (POF).

Figure 2.4.1 Polymer optical fiber.

The plastic optical fiber operates in wavelength from 550 nm to 1360 nm,
which is the optimal bandwidth [19].

10
2.5 Attenuation in general

The signal power in an optical fiber decreases exponentially with distance,

P (z) = P (0) e-αz

The symbol α is called the attenuation coefficient of the optical fiber and
gives the damping as a function of the fiber length [19]. The attenuation of a
signal in an optical fiber depends on the diameter of the optical fiber core; as
the core diameter decreases, the attenuation increases [19]. Since the optic
fiber cables are used for moderate distances the attenuation can be handled
[19]. The other factors contributing to attenuation are the spectral width of the
light source implemented [19].

2.6 Losses in optical fiber communication

The mechanisms for attenuation are intrinsic and extrinsic [22]. Amid intrinsic
losses, we have absorption and Rayleigh scattering. These factors are due to
the molecular changes in the quantum fields [22].

Type Mechanism Origin

Absorption Vibration modes

Electronic transitions
Intrinsic

Density fluctuations
Rayleigh scattering Orientation fluctuations
Composition fluctuations

Absorption Transition metals

Organic pollutants

Dust
Extrinsic Dispersion Microfractures
Bubbles

Structural Imperfections
Radiation Micro bending

Macro bending

Figure 2.6.1 Tabulation of types of losses.

11
Figure 2.6.1 can be clarified as follows.
 Intrinsic absorption is a phenomenon caused by interaction with one
or more components of the fiber. There could be a photon interacting
with an electron by exciting it from the valance band to a higher
energy level near the Ultraviolet region [22].

 Absorption loss is related to the composition of the material and its

fabrication method. It also results in the dissipation of optical power in
the cable [22].

 Rayleigh scattering is a regular optical scattering phenomenon.

Rayleigh scattering occurs when the size of the scatterer is less than
one-tenth of the current operating wavelength [22].

 Extrinsic absorption is also caused by the impurities in the optic fiber

material and relates to transition of electrons between states. Extrinsic
absorption depends on the manufacturing of the fiber [22].

 Dispersion loss relates to the temporal spreading that occurs when a

light pulse propagates through an optical fiber [22].

 Radiative loss occurs when the optic fiber is bent or curved. There
are micro bending and macro bending [22].

12
Chapter 3

The necessity for Optical fiber

This thesis deals with the shortcomings of the traditional copper cable when
used in commercial vehicles for in-vehicle communication [23]. In this
chapter, we will discuss the drawbacks of copper in relation to standards for
vehicles. This can be understood from knowledge of the system and the
effects that cause impairment or abnormal functioning.

Figure 3.1 Basic representation of ECU in a commercial vehicle.

13
Various factors need to be considered. One aspect relates to the fields caused
by the current through the copper cables. In early times, many radio
components required suppression of electromagnetic disturbances [9].
Another problem is conducted interference, which is caused primarily by the
transients from the ignition system that enter the radio via the 12 V power
supply [4].

3.1 Automotive EMC contemplations

Since the introduction of semiconductors in commercial vehicles, automotive

EMC has had a significant impact [9]. The use of electronic components for
monitoring is essential. However, the sensory electronics tend to malfunction
due to electromagnetic interference [9]. There are methods to avoid this such
as insulation and increased area and space. Since the electronic components
are susceptible to these weak interferences, they are important [4].

Figure 3.1.1 The effect of EMC in the automotive setting.

14
There are two ways that electromagnetic fields couple into vehicle
electronics. Firstly (Fig 3.1.2), the electromagnetic fields are coupled with the
circuit boards or the interior wiring [9]. Secondly, they can change the nature
of the harness inside a vehicle into an antenna that induces interference [9].
The increasing number of electrical loads leads to more cables inside the
vehicle [9]. These cables are tightly wound and placed in the chassis as a
ground return path [9]. The vehicle industry is paying a lot of attention to
interferences and their effect on size and cost. There are four main types of
interferences:
 Conducted Emissions
 Conducted Susceptibility
 Radiated Emissions
 Radiated Susceptibility

Figure 3.1.2 Conductive susceptibility measurement.

Conductive emissions are generated by the commutation in electric motors or

the switching of solenoids, relays, and other inductive components [4], which
produce transients. These transients are also conducted through the vehicle’s
wiring harness and into the power terminal points of the different electronic
systems [4]. There is also a possibility that these transients can be coupled
inductively or capacitively into the control or lead signal leads of the
numerous systems of the vehicle. Conducted susceptibility or immunity is the
system's capability to operate as required when exposed to radio frequency
signals [4].

15
The conducted susceptibility can be assessed by injecting typical transients.
Also, the transients that occur during the fault conditions are included [9].
Radiated emissions are caused by several sources. The conducted transients
caused by the electrical components are emitted with the harness acting as
antenna [9]. Electronic microprocessors with a fundamental frequency with
very low narrowband harmonics are affected by the radiated harmonics from
the arrangement [9]. Radiated susceptibility is the measure of the ability of a
system to function adequately when subjected to an externally generated
electromagnetic field [4].
These transients can affect the functioning of the electronic system on the
vehicle, and cause conducted susceptibilities [9]. These transients are
observed with the help of an oscilloscope and a LISN (Line Impedance
Stabilization Network) is used to simulate the vehicle wiring harness [9]. To
make the vehicle's electronic system less sensitive to the transients, a method
uses a generator to insert typical transients [9]. The electromagnetic
emissions are weak and in the order of µV/m or mV/m, and do not cause
interference [9]. The radiated EMC emissions are measured by placing them
on a ground plane in a screening room [4].

16
Chapter 4

Proposed Practical Analyses

The main idea behind the thesis is to find the critical factors in deciding
whether optical fiber communication is more suitable than conventional
copper cables. The data compiled in this thesis suggests that copper cable is
the preferred and traditionally accepted method of communication in
commercial vehicles. However, the optical fiber is more useful. For example,
in case of disruption in the in-vehicle communication, the copper cable
requires additional sheathing which helps in absorbing the transients whereas
the optic fiber is inert to those transients. This measure was suggested by my
esteemed organization SCANIA.

The several ideas behind this thesis can be explained in several ways. Firstly,
the critical equipment in this thesis is the Software Development Kit provided
by the KDpof organization [18]. This kit consists of a transmitter and a
receiver, for communication between two nodes in a commercial vehicle.
This kit has a polymer optical fiber cable that is provided with an industrial-
grade connector [18]. The focus was primarily on the fiber's functionality and
shortcomings in the experiments [24]. After the experimental observation, we
can evaluate the alternatives and the conditions for a replacement. Is the
transition to fiber viable economically and technically and do the connectors
meet the environmental requirements [17]. The tests help us understand their
mechanical capability and how they perform in relation to copper wires [15].

17
Finally, we staged an experiment with two different ECUs in a commercial
test vehicle to investigate their micro-bending and macro- bending losses
[25].

Figure 4.1 Connectors provided with the Software Development Kit.

4.1 Environmental tests

The optic fiber connectors provided by KDPOF were initially planned for these
tests,
 Thermal withstanding capability test.
 Drop test (structural integrity)
 Dust test
 Chemical erosion test
The Thermal withstanding capability test involved exposure to a standardized
high temperature for around eight hours, along with thermal aging and
flammability tests [16]. That is a predetermined format for copper cable. There
is a cold temperature test to check for their integrity and structure changes.
After completing the thermal test, the cable and the connectors are replaced in
the Software development kit to monitor the rate of attenuation. In a similar
way the drop test checks the mechanical stress that could occur during their
installation. The dust test checks if the cable and its connectors are affected or
if attenuation is caused by dust particles obstructing the path of the light
signal. Finally, the chemical tests are performed to check the rigidity of the
connectors.

18
It is also checked on how they react to the chemical standard and the
standards used by SCANIA for their traditional Copper transmission cables.

Figure 4.1.1 Standard temperature values for copper cable.

These values suggest the temperatures for each component indicated by the
letters. Our considerations are A and B corresponding to the CAB and chassis
respectively along with indicated tolerances. These tests are vital for
fiber/copper cable comparison.

4.2 Proposed vibration tests

The idea behind this test was to determine the attenuation and calibrate the
performance in terms of data flow in the polymer optical fiber.

19
They are employed between two different ECUs from the CAB to the chassis
[26]. This helps us analyze the cable's performance under the influence of
vibrations and bending in the layout [26]. The data for the vibrations are
provided are according to the pre-defined standards for copper transmission
[26].

Figure 4.2.1 Standard vibration values for copper transmission.

4.3 Bending loss

This part of the test includes connecting two different individual ECUs in CAB
and Chassis and checking them for signal loss and signal speed and
attenuation due to their layout. This involves the polymer optical fiber cable
bending underneath the truck.

20
The two bending losses are Micro-bending losses and Macro-bending losses
[21]. Micro-bending losses are mostly related to the material defects during
its manufacturing, so we focus on the Macro-bending losses [25]. Macro-
bending is a phenomenon that causes attenuation of the light wave due to the
curvature of the optic fiber. The information can leak out of the fiber when it
is bent [25]. In the fiber, there is an increase in attenuation with more
information loss [22]. In each optical fiber, the increase in attenuation is
contingent on three factors,
• The radius of the bend
• The number of bends
• The wavelength of the signal

Figure 4.3.1 Macro-bending of light inside a fiber.

Figure 4.3.1 illustrates the losses that arise because of the macro bending. An
industry standard exists for measuring optical fiber macro bending, IEC
60793-1-47, which conveys the Measurement methods and test procedures for
Macro bending loss [22]. This entails measuring the insertion loss of an
optical fiber sample when bent [25]. The macro bending loss can be related to
the twisting and wrapping of the optical fiber cables. Light can propagate
through the wire even though it is twisted or bent [25]. But when the bend is
tighter, the information tends to leak out of the outer cladding layer [25]. For
plastic optical fibers, the refraction index of the core is higher than that of the
cladding, which results in the internal reflection of the light entering the core
at the core-cladding interface [22].

21
Macro bending relates to the deviation in the refractive index profile due to
the radius r of the bend according to the expression,

2𝑛
nc (r, θ) = n(r) + rcos(θ)
𝑅

Hence nc (r, θ) is the optical index as a function of radial coordinate where r

denotes the radius inside the fiber, and the angle of refraction θ and due to
the radius R of the bend. Other factors that contribute to macro bending
loss is the number of bends and the wavelength of the signal [25].

22
Chapter 5

Conclusion

Copper transmission is traditionally used for in-vehicle communication in

commercial vehicles. The installation cost of the copper cable is
comparatively higher than that of a plastic optical fiber cable. The
manufacturing plant of SCANIA develops their in-vehicle communication
with the help of a CAN bus made of copper cables. A CAN bus connects
various ECUs to the CAB for the driver interface. The primary issue was that
the 12 V or the 24 V battery causes an induced current that runs in the
electronic components and affects the radio devices and some electronic
sensors.

The EMC issues related to the copper transmission are reduced by introducing
proper sheathing of the copper cable along the entire body of the vehicle,
with the ensuing increase in cable size. This brings another issue, the cost.
The price per kilogram of copper compared with plastic is high but copper in
its raw material form is cheaper than semiconductor optic fiber cables as their
manufacturing cost is high. Another factor is the data rate, which for fiber is
as high as 10 Gbps [27]. The copper transmission could achieve up to 2 Gbps.
As the data rate increases, the radius of the cable increases as well.

The latest generation of trucks have an exponential rise in the number of

electronic modules integrated inside the vehicle. The number of sensors has
increased due to the size of the truck. The introduction of more electronic
components creates more data flow. The rearview video, for example,
requires a lot of data transmitted from the rear of the vehicle to the driver's
user interface in the CAB. Furthermore, sensors like the fuel indicator, air
gauge, axel load and differential load sensor require an uninterrupted data
flow and are therefore affected by EMC issues. The optic fiber cable is
immune to those EMC issues as the information is sent in the form of light.
23
The fiber technology is likely to be implemented with inspiration from car
companies like Tesla, KIA, and VOLVO. They use plastic optical fiber for
the inter-vehicular communication over short distances. Polymer optic cables
are cheaper than copper cables to install and support. They are also reliable
since industrial standards ensure that they can withstand the temperature
changes.

This thesis was headed for the testing of some practical ideas but due to
Corona the practical work and the implementation was affected. Still, we
believe that the main factors have been investigated. This gives us the
overview necessary for developing and introducing the product in the
manufacturing environment. By assessing feasibility and adaptability, fiber
can be compared to copper.

24
 Appendix
Sample Testing of the Evaluation Kit

Contents of the Evaluation Kit

 The Software development kit contains a monitoring

microcontroller USB2ALL module to monitor the optical fiber
communication.
 Flat cable to install the registers to the optical fiber transceiver,
which helps monitor the flow of information and the transfer rate.
 A USB cable integrates the USB2ALL module to a computer to
have a user interface medium on a digital platform with software
help.
 Fiber optic transceiver generates the signal to transmit as well as
receive between two different mediums.
 A polymer optical fiber medium to felicitate the connection
between two different modules has cables with different lengths.
 A power supply cord is required for the transceivers to produce a
light signal transmitted and received.
 A USB adapter to connect two different systems to their
transceivers.

Manual for Software Development Kit

The working for this SDK requires additional equipment that includes
two different units capable of sending and receiving signals, in this case, two
different personal computers and two voltage regulators for the constant supply
for the working of the USB2ALL circuit for monitoring [18].

The Software development kit is a prototype of an optical fiber

connection with a pair of equipment that acts as transmitters and receivers to
demonstrate a relationship between two individual systems. For this thesis,
they were supposedly be utilized for the purpose to connect two ECU’s

25
In a commercial vehicle and understand it's working and theorizing its
shortcoming. With the help of detailed calculations and by performing some
environmental tests on this prototype, we could appreciate its performance
under a conventional copper cable environment. Furthermore, it gives us a
clear idea of how they could handle the system's stress during its deployment.

The following procedure gives us an idea about how to navigate ourselves

with the basic functionality of the prototype, which could pave the way for
better understanding and help with a walkthrough about how they function.
The methods that are being followed are provided with a colored visual
demonstration for better performance. The procedure is as follows,

 The USB2ALL module is the primary part of this connection, so we

start by integrating the USB2ALL module to a primary computer along
with the prescribed software pre-downloaded in the device with the
help of a USB cable provided in the kit.

Figure 1. USB2ALL module connected to a system.

26
 The LED indicates the on and off stages of the connected modules,
andthe link is established.
 Next, we would integrate the transceiver with the USB2ALL module
with the help of a flat cable. This flat cable is also utilized to update
the firmware and to access the registers.
 The transceivers relate to their systems to observe the signal flow
using the help of a USB-Ethernet connector provided with the kit.
 The power supply to the transceivers is provided with the help of
voltage regulators. In addition, we provide a controlled voltage
supply of 12V to the transceiver using the power cord provided.
 Also, the optical fiber connection is made with one of the transceiver
pairs where we use a double-headed transceiver which can be used at
two different flow rates, 100Mbps and 1Gbps.
 At the beginning of the evaluation, we press the black reset button to
reset their flow rate and other pre-entered values. The USB2ALL
module has an inbuilt EEPROM that has a memory to store the
previous input values.

Figure 2. Transceiver optical fiber connection.

27
 The steps mentioned above are followed for the receiver pair, and
they are connected to another computing system to test the data flow.
Figure 3. Similar connections on the receiver pair.

 The power supply is fed to both the transceivers to have a functioning

data flow link with the help of a voltage generator.

Figure 4. Power supply fed to the Transceivers.

28
 The test carried on had two different observations concerning their
data flow rate, one with 100Mbps and another with 1Gbps, which
helps understand the flexibility of the data flow modes that the system
can operate.

Figure 5. Complete setup of pair of transceivers.

 The complete setup of the optical fiber connection has been simulated
with a standard format of two computers between which the data flow
is observed.
 The output is obtained for data flow one with 1Gbps [18].

Figure 6. The obtained output for Link margin and link speed.

29
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