Download the Latest DVD Release Right to Your Vehicle? A Delphi First

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 -- Delphi Automotive Systems will be the first company to publicly demonstrate new, innovative automotive applications for wireless data networks at the 2002 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. On a specially equipped vehicle, Delphi will show how licensed video files, audio files and other data are seamlessly transmitted to and from home, office and future service-provider sources.

The Delphi display will show how a wireless local area network from Intel Corporation allows data to be transmitted at speeds up to 54 Mbps (megabits per second) ranging up to 100 meters in distance. MP3 music files will be loaded from a home PC and transmitted to the vehicle by a simple click, drag and drop of a PC mouse. The vehicle MP3 playlist is transmitted by an 802.11 plug-in module running on the home PC's desktop media player. Audio samples will be provided by Audible.com .

Delphi will also show how video and other media can be purchased and downloaded at convenience kiosks into the vehicle's rear-seat audio/video entertainment system, which can be done from home or even a gas pump at a service station.

Delphi worked closely with Intel Corporation to develop this demonstration. Intel, a leader in networking and communications technologies, furnished the 802.11a wireless networking hardware, while Delphi developed the software used for the demonstration and integrated the system into the vehicle. In addition, Audible.com provided audio editions of books, newspapers, magazines, and radio programs.

``Advancements in wireless data transfer are stretching the possibilities of mobile multimedia entertainment and conveniences for consumers and creating new commercial venues for businesses,'' said Jeff Owens, president of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems. ``IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b are going to establish new and exciting future wireless opportunities.''

``Wireless networking enables consumers to enhance their mobile experience by extending the use of PC-based multimedia content to their vehicles,'' said Jim Johnson, vice president and general manager of Intel's Platform Networking Group.

For the demonstration, Intel provided an Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Card Bus adapter in the vehicle and Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Points located throughout Delphi's exhibit. The Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN products operate in the 5 GHz frequency band and are based on the 802.11a standard.

Operating in the 5 GHz band, 802.11a is an established wireless networking standard that transmits data at a faster rate than 802.11b that operates at 2.4 GHz. Both standards eliminate the need for wires that frequently connect computers. Network cards using the standards are readily available for standard laptop and desktop computers.

Transmitting data at about 1,000 times faster than cell phone data rates, the Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN products can transfer data from a computer or remote transceiver directly to a vehicle's information and entertainment system. In addition, the vehicle can wirelessly upload data to a handheld device, laptop or desktop computer. Information can include audio newspapers, music files, pre-recorded audio programs and other content.

``The future holds much promise for wireless communications among vehicles, networks and Internet appliances as new uses evolve,'' said Delphi's Owens. ``In the future, there may be less need to carry CDs or DVDs or we may see consumers control home appliances from their driveway.''

Wireless network connections are one of the new, innovative concepts in Delphi's Mobile MultiMedia portfolio that address consumer demand for personalized entertainment, convenience and productivity in the vehicle. For more information about Delphi Automotive Systems, visit Delphi's Virtual Press Room at www.delphiauto.com/pr .