GFC^® – Optical Connectivity in Vehicles

At the Speed of Light – Next-Generation Optical Connectivity by Rosenberger Automotive

The relentless growth in data rates and the demand for low-latency communication are pushing conventional copper-based interconnects to their physical limits. Signal integrity, electromagnetic interference, thermal constraints, miniaturization, and increasing connector density present significant challenges for both PCB and cable connectivity.

Why Optical Connectivity as the Next Step for High-Performance Data Transmission?

With virtually unlimited bandwidth potential, superior signal integrity, and excellent scalability, optical interconnects are ideally suited for next-generation automotive and industrial applications. Particular focus is placed on solutions that combine the performance advantages of optical transmission with copper-like handling and integration, enabling a smooth transition from electrical to optical connectivity.

GFC^® - Automotive Glass Fiber Connector

GFC^® – A New Level in the Automotive Industry

With the Rosenberger GFC^® (Glass Fiber Connector) connector system, Rosenberger introduces a future-ready fiberoptic standard specifically designed for safety-critical and mission-critical in-vehicle applications. While Rosenberger’s coaxial and differential copper interconnect solutions continue to deliver outstanding performance, the next evolutionary step is the development of optical multi-gigabit Ethernet solutions for automotive applications.

Thanks to decades of fiber-optic expertise, proven in data centers, Rosenberger is the prime partner for transferring established fiber-optic networking technologies into robust, automotive-qualified solutions. Combined with the proven expertise in automotive data connectors, Rosenberger is able to offer a hybrid and scalable portfolio combining optical,
coaxial, and differential systems from a single source as a technology and development partner for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers — from concept to series production.

Expanded Beam Principle

Increases Active Optical Surface and Robustness to Contamination

Rosenberger explores the evolution of high-speed connector technologies, beginning with a comparison of Physical Contact and Expanded Beam solutions, highlighting their respective strengths in robustness, alignment tolerance, reliability, and environmental resistance.

⇒ Optical Expanded Beam Principle as a Part of the Next-Generation!

Products

High data transmission rates over 50 Gbps and 40 m
Fully 802.3cz-compliant
Protocol-agnostic (supports e.g. PCIe, Ethernet)
Supports OM3/OM4 fiber at 850 nm and 980 nm
Designed to operate in harsh automotive environment according ISO 24581 and heavy duty industries (such as mining, truck and trailer & farming)
Meets mechanical and environmental specs as in ISO 8092 and DIN 70214 (related to former USCAR-2 and LV-214)
Arizona dust & water test passed!

Designed for highly automated high-volume production and assembly
Superior EMC behaviour
Lowest insertion loss transmission option
Expanded beam (wear-free) connection between two fibers (avoids scratches)
Large active optical area provides significantly lower impact of contaminations (e.g. dust & dirt particles)
Reduction of interference due to the expanded beam principle
Straight and angled versions possible
Future-proof solutions for backbone connections between central computers and zone controllers, as well as camera and display sensor links

Applications

Enables zonal architecture
Data redundancy between two main computing units
The solution for long transmission distances
Aggregation and forwarding for central processing
High-resolution cameras and displays
Dynamic installation use cases

Downloads

GFC^® Flyer pdf

Contact our Expert

Director Product Management Automotive Data Connectors

Sebastian Mysyk

Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Hauptstraße 1
83413 Fridolfing
Germany

Phone: +49 8684 180