NXP Semiconductors N.V. has unveiled a definitive agreement to acquire Aviva Links in an all-cash deal valued at US$242.5 million. This acquisition is timed with the increased demand for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), particularly in the context of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Such vehicles require sophisticated camera and display networks characterised by high downstream and low upstream bandwidth. The challenge has arisen as current proprietary, sole-sourced asymmetrical links restrict automotive manufacturers to non-standardised solutions.
Aviva Links offers the industry’s most advanced Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA)-compliant portfolio. This includes capabilities for SerDes point-to-point (ASA-ML) and Ethernet-based connectivity (ASA-MLE), achieving data rates of up to 16 Gbps. The company has already secured design wins with two major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and is in the process of sampling its devices to various other OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
The Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA), established in 2019 with NXP as a founding member, aims to assist participating automakers in transitioning to open-source, interoperable networking solutions tailored to the evolving demands of software-defined vehicles. The ASA standard features scalable data rates ranging from 2 Gbps to 16 Gbps, including provisions for link-layer security. Additionally, the standard not only facilitates SerDes point-to-point communication but also smooths the transition to efficient Ethernet-based sensor connectivity.
Market analysis from NXP suggests that the addressable market for ADAS and IVI asymmetrical links is anticipated to expand from US$1 billion in 2024 to US$2 billion by 2034. The acquisition of Aviva Links is seen as a pivotal move that is expected to accelerate this growth by fostering a shift from existing proprietary links to open-standard ASA SerDes connections. This transaction is projected to be finalised in the first half of 2025, contingent upon standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the acquisition, Meindert van den Beld, the senior vice president and general manager of in-vehicle networking at NXP Semiconductors, remarked, "NXP is one of ASA’s founding partners, and we are thrilled to add asymmetrical multi-gigabit ASA links to our portfolio. This complements and expands our leadership position in automotive networking solutions ranging from CAN and LIN to Ethernet switches and physical layer devices. This portfolio enables us to offer OEMs complete networking solutions directly, making the software-defined vehicle a reality. Furthermore, we are excited to have Aviva Links’ highly knowledgeable team join NXP’s automotive innovation ranks."
The Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) boasts over 150 members representing a broad spectrum of the automotive ecosystem, including prominent car manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors, alongside Tier-1 suppliers, cable and connector manufacturers, and test tool vendors. BMW Group, as a founding member of the alliance, has notably been the first car manufacturer to announce public series production with ASA-ML this decade.
Source: Noah Wire Services