Electronics & Connectivity - September 5, 2012 - 10

tech report

The functioning ecosystem for Ethernet-based communications in autos has to fulfill the two basic requirements of every successful technology: technical functionality and the possibility of future development. requirements. On all other layers, state-of-the-art solutions from multiple vendors are available. In case of the UTSP Ethernet technology used, the specification is available to all interested parties at the OPEN Alliance and there are two vendors (Broadcom and NXP) with respective products on their roadmaps. cations in cars for which the transmitted data rate exceeds 100 Mbps. These links are generally not integrated in the communication network but represent isolated P2P (peer-to-peer) links. The fact that they exist shows that it is only a question of time until Gbps-capable links need to be fully integrated into the in-car network. To have a respective technology available in time, the IEEE 802.3 decided to investigate an automotive-suitable Gbps Ethernet physical layer. With this decision, the final element for facilitating Ethernet-based communication in automotive to be successful has been provided. For further information on automotive Ethernet, visit: http://www.nxp.com/news/press-releases/2011/11/nxp-develops-automotive-ethernettransceivers-for-in-vehicle-networks.html http://www.OPENsig.org http://www.ieee802.org/3/RTPGE/index.html
Dr. Kirsten Matheus of BMW wrote this article for SAE Magazines.
SAE electronics+connectivity

Supporting technologies and the future

For Ethernet-based communication in cars, a number of Tier 1s have built up the know-how needed to offer products to the car manufacturers. Likewise, there are tool vendors and test houses that can offer respective solutions. All AUTOSAR versions starting from 4.0 are supporting Ethernetbased communications, and software houses are implementing these. These examples show a healthily developing infrastructure of supporting technologies. There is no limit to the data rates needed in cars in the future. Already today there are specific appli-

September 5, 2012

Electronics & Connectivity - September 5, 2012

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