Marelli and Microchip Develop ASA Motion Link Display Solution

Marelli and Microchip Technology have developed a Marelli Microchip Technology ASA Motion Link solution that streams graphics and video generated by a vehicle’s central computer directly to automotive displays. The demonstrator uses ASA Motion Link (ASA-ML), an open standard for automotive video connectivity, with the companies targeting simpler display architectures, optimized system costs and greater sourcing flexibility for software-defined vehicle architectures. The approach is designed to connect centralized computing systems with displays through a standardized communication method rather than relying on proprietary video transmission technologies.

ASA Motion Link Enables Open Automotive Video Connectivity

ASA Motion Link is a standard for automotive video connectivity and SerDes (serializer-deserializer) communication defined by the Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA). The technology is designed to support high-speed transmission of video and graphics between products from multiple technology providers, providing an alternative to proprietary video transmission systems. Microchip Technology is a founding member of the ASA. By using an open connectivity standard, the companies said vehicle manufacturers can gain greater flexibility in sourcing components while supporting electronic architectures that are increasingly built around centralized computing and software-defined vehicle requirements.

How Marelli and Microchip’s ASA-ML Solution Works

The joint solution uses Microchip’s VS7000 ASA-ML chipset to process and transmit graphics and video from the vehicle’s central computer over a high-speed standardized link. Marelli has worked on the display-side integration by configuring and optimizing the ASA-ML deserializer to decode the standardized video stream directly at the display. This architecture is intended to receive, synchronize and deliver centrally generated content, including camera feeds, navigation maps, infotainment graphics and vehicle control interfaces, while reducing the electronics required at the display side as vehicle architectures move toward centralized computing.

Open Architecture Supports Software-Defined Vehicles

Marelli Electronics president Kelei Shen said the shift toward software-defined vehicles is increasing demand for open and scalable electronic architectures. He said Marelli’s role as an integrator involves combining technologies from multiple suppliers, with the collaboration demonstrating the interoperability enabled by open standards. Microchip vice president of Communications Kevin So said ASA Motion Link is intended to reduce dependence on proprietary technologies and provide a standardized connectivity approach across vehicle systems and suppliers. Together, the companies position the solution as an example of how standardized interfaces can support more flexible vehicle electronics development.

ASA Motion Link Supports Up to 16Gbps Data Rates

According to the companies, the ASA-ML solution supports data rates of up to 16Gbps. Its specified features include link-layer authentication and encryption, lossless data transmission and resistance to electromagnetic noise. The technology also incorporates Time Division Duplex (TDD) functionality and simplified Forward Error Correction (FEC), which the companies say can contribute to lower power consumption. The architecture is also positioned as a path toward increasingly Ethernet-centric vehicle electronics, supporting the broader transition from distributed electronic systems toward centralized computing and standardized high-speed communication links.

Impact on Automotive Display Architecture

The collaboration between Microchip Technology and Marelli demonstrates how open-standard connectivity can support communication between centralized computing systems and displays while simplifying vehicle electronics development. The approach can reduce the electronics needed at the display side and provide greater flexibility to integrate components from different technology providers. For software-defined vehicle architectures, this interoperability can help separate computing, connectivity and display functions while maintaining high-speed transmission of centrally generated content. The companies said the solution ultimately demonstrates how open standards can support scalable architectures and greater sourcing flexibility as vehicle electronics continue to evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ASA Motion Link used for?
ASA Motion Link is an open automotive connectivity standard designed to transmit high-speed video and graphics between vehicle computing systems and displays using SerDes communication. The technology provides an alternative to proprietary video transmission systems and can support products from multiple technology providers. In the Marelli and Microchip demonstration, ASA-ML carries centrally generated content such as camera feeds, navigation maps, infotainment graphics and vehicle control interfaces directly to an automotive display. The solution supports data rates of up to 16Gbps and includes authentication, encryption, lossless transmission and electromagnetic-noise resistance features.

What does the Marelli and Microchip solution demonstrate?
The solution demonstrates how ASA Motion Link can connect a vehicle’s central computer directly with automotive displays through a standardized high-speed link. Microchip’s VS7000 ASA-ML chipset processes and transmits graphics and video, while Marelli handles display-side integration and configures the ASA-ML deserializer to decode the standardized stream. The companies said the architecture can simplify display electronics, reduce dependence on proprietary connectivity technologies and provide greater sourcing flexibility. It is also positioned to support software-defined vehicle architectures and the broader movement toward centralized computing and increasingly Ethernet-centric vehicle electronics.