Equipped with new 5G-enabled TBOT network enhancement software, HARMAN launches future-oriented in-vehicle intelligent connectivity solutions

January 8, 2021 - HARMAN International today announced HARMAN Turbo Connect (TBOT), a new intelligent software that predicts and mitigates vehicle connectivity issues while driving. TBOT is the latest solution in HARMAN's connected car portfolio that meets the current demand for high-speed connectivity and low latency, especially when used with 5G-enabled technologies such as HARMAN's smart flat antennas, and 5G and 5G-ready telematics control units (TCUs). As a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, HARMAN International provides leading connectivity technologies for the automotive, mass consumer and professional markets.

As consumers’ expectations for connectivity grow, it is both a responsibility and an opportunity for automakers to attract consumers with a wonderful in-car experience. However, limitations in network latency, bandwidth, and rapid technology iterations make it challenging for technology to keep pace with the times. As a result, consumers’ in-car experiences are limited by the lack of required network connectivity. With 5G TCU and TBOT solutions, HARMAN will make it easier for automakers and consumers to respond to newer and richer experiences.

Vishnu Sundaram, senior vice president of HARMAN Connected Car Products, said:

“Connectivity is an essential element for all cars on the road today. By applying TBOT to vehicles, we can predict when there will be poor connectivity or congestion, and mitigate streaming or latency issues before drivers and passengers even notice the problem. Music streaming will continue to flow, navigation will work, and conference calls will be conducted even in areas with poor connectivity.”

HARMAN’s TBOT solution provides drivers with many benefits, including:

• Improved user experience: With improved performance through 5G, HARMAN’s TBOT solution can predict and optimize available connection options to meet bandwidth and latency requirements for real-time streaming, gaming and other applications. This provides drivers and passengers with an uninterrupted connected experience, saving money and energy.

  
  

• Further reduce costs: TBOT can predict network conditions in advance and reduce data consumption costs by increasing downloads in free or low-cost network areas to prepare for entering high-cost network areas.

  
  

• Reduced energy consumption: The TBOT solution optimizes performance and turns off the transmission and reception functions when not connected to the Internet. This can enhance vehicle parameters such as battery life, allowing electric vehicles and traditional fuel vehicles to reduce energy use, enhance battery life, and reduce users' anxiety about the range of electric vehicles.

Harman's TBOT solution benefits both vehicles and users, and runs on TCU, roadside nodes, Edge networks, and cloud platforms. It can adjust parameters, adapt to the functional characteristics of the device, and initiate communication within the ecosystem.

Harman's TBOT solution is just one of many technological advances supported by 5G networking, which will increase the speed of in-vehicle communications and reduce various delays. Harman's 5G car networking components also include 5G-ready TCUs, which can provide scalable mobile network connections for smart connected cars that currently use 4G networks or use faster 5G networks in the future.

Harman also offers an optional feature for its TCU, which is a multi-band flat-panel antenna suitable for 5G-ready. Since the car is equipped with multiple wireless services, each service requires a dedicated antenna, so Harman's flat-panel antenna is the only choice, which can integrate up to 14 antennas. The flat-panel antenna is installed below the top surface of the car body, which is more beautiful and more efficient from an aerodynamic point of view. The flat-panel antenna replaces the shark fin antenna of the early 21st century, making the roof more simple and beautiful, allowing designers to design future-oriented works. After integration with Harman TCU, the smart flat-panel antenna can also improve communication performance and system stability. The use of flat-panel antennas is also easier to install in the factory.