Valeo's Power Line Communication Wins Silver Award at Equip'Auto

PARIS, France, October 19 -- At the Equip'Auto International Grands Prix awards ceremony held last Friday, Valeo won the Silver Award for its power line communication system in the "Engineering and Advanced Technology" category.

On today's vehicles, electrical power and data use different wiring harnesses: adding a new function increases the number of harnesses. Depending on vehicle, the total wiring can weigh up to 50 kg and be 3 km long.

A new technology simplifying the wiring architecture while allowing new equipment integration.

In response to the ever increasing size, weight and complexity of vehicle electrical wiring systems and electronic networks, Valeo has developed an innovative technology to distribute communication data along existing vehicle power wires or lines. This eliminates most of the separate data communication wires required to serve electrical and electronic functions. This new technology reduces the number of wiring harnesses, their weight, length and cost.

As it does not modify the electrical architecture of the vehicle, this technology facilitates post-equipment integration and optional equipment such as multimedia DVD players or cameras. This data transmission can also be used as a second source of information for safety functions.

First aftermarket applications are targeted for 2006. This technology is convenient for all passenger car and commercial vehicle applications and is targeted for 2007.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 130 plants, 68 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 72,100 people in 28 countries worldwide.