Automotive Ethernet | In-Vehicle Networking Illustration

Automotive Ethernet: The In-Vehicle Networking of the Future


Key takeaways:

Did you know that a car has more than a mile of wiring inside and that it's the third-heaviest system in a car?

Plus, on average, cars in the U.S. are used for about 11-12 years. For every car sold this year, all their cameras, sensors, infotainment systems, electronics, and networking systems must last till at least 2035, no matter where they are driven and how harsh it gets inside or outside.

This extreme test of survival requires cutting-edge optimization and engineering supported by state-of-the-art test instruments and software. In this article, find out how networking innovations like automotive Ethernet are helping to optimize long-term design while also elevating the in-car experience.

What is automotive Ethernet?

What Is Automotive Ethernet | Automotive Ethernet Diagram In-Vehicle Networks

Fig 1. Automotive Ethernet with other in-vehicle networks

Automotive Ethernet is a set of protocols and device standards that adapt Ethernet technologies for automotive use, specifically for in-vehicle networking .

The history of automotive Ethernet started with the BroadR-Reach initiative by Broadcom. Since then, all aspects of the technology have been standardized to discourage proprietary implementations and promote interoperability between vehicle, networking, and software systems.

In the sections that follow, we explore the uses of automotive Ethernet, compare it with existing in-vehicle networking technologies, and explore its future.

What is automotive Ethernet used for?

Currently, automotive Ethernet is largely used for applications that need lots of bandwidth (i.e., push high volumes of data on the network every second). Such high-bandwidth applications include:

For more critical automotive applications — like vehicle control, steer by wire, anti-lock braking, or automotive radar sensors — that require real-time responses and fault tolerance, vehicle manufacturers still rely on existing technologies like the controller area network (CAN) and FlexRay because they are more mature, proven in an automotive environment, and cost-effective.

However, recent standards like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1AS standard for time-sensitive networking (TSN) enable automotive Ethernet to achieve the low latencies required for such real-time subsystems. For example, many car makers are using it for their vehicles' digital instruments, data recorders, panoramic ECUs, and AVB switches.

What are the differences between automotive Ethernet and standard Ethernet?

To understand the differences, it helps to first know their similarities. We'll start with how an Ethernet network relates to the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model of network functions.

Ethernet Standards Correspond to the Osi Model | Osi 7-Layer Networking Model

Fig 2. How Ethernet standards correspond to the OSI model

Ethernet specifications correspond to two logical layers:

The takeaway here is that diverse PHY implementations exist. Automotive Ethernet is just another set of PHY implementations. All its differences with standard Ethernet are at the PHY level. The layers above remain completely oblivious to these differences, enabling existing networking stacks, operating systems, and software to work with automotive Ethernet just like any other Ethernet.

Here’s how automotive Ethernet is different from standard Ethernet:

What are the standards and protocols associated with automotive Ethernet?

Some of the key standards of automotive Ethernet are:

How does automotive Ethernet differ from other in-vehicle networks?

In this section, we understand some key differences between automotive Ethernet and other in-vehicle networking technologies like CAN, CAN flexible data rate (CAN FD), and CAN extended data-field length (CAN XL); automotive SerDes; FlexRay; and local interconnect network (LIN).

1. Automotive Ethernet vs. CAN / CAN FD / CAN XL

CAN and Ethernet topologies | Automotive Ethernet vs. CAN / CAN FD / CAN XL Schematic

Fig 3. CAN and Ethernet topologies

The differences include:

2. Automotive Ethernet vs. SerDes

Automotive SerDes is a recent standard proposed by the Automotive SerDes Alliance and is a competitor for mindshare with automotive Ethernet. Their differences include:

Automotive SerDes is a common connection for high-resolution in-vehicle displays, such as infotainment or back-up cameras.

3. Automotive Ethernet vs. FlexRay

FlexRay was a popular technology in some high-end vehicles, but most of their manufacturers back SerDes now. Automotive Ethernet's 10Base-T1S is comparable to FlexRay in bandwidth and fault tolerance.

4. Automotive Ethernet vs. LIN

LIN, specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) via its ISO 17987 standard, remains a simple and popular technology for secondary systems like door and light control. It operates at a few kilobits per second. LIN is unlikely to be replaced any time soon due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

What are the advantages of automotive Ethernet compared to other in-vehicle protocols?

Compared to most of the other protocols (other than SerDes), the advantages of automotive Ethernet are:

What are the disadvantages of automotive Ethernet?

Some current disadvantages are:

How do you protect automotive Ethernet against cyber threats?

Breakingpoint Network Security Testing Software | Automotive Ethernet

Fig 4. BreakingPoint network security testing software

The open interfaces of connected vehicles make them prime targets for cyber attacks that may even be fatal. Strategies to improve automotive Ethernet cybersecurity include:

Keysight's BreakingPoint software can simulate realistic cybersecurity threats and evasion techniques to help harden gateway ECUs of connected vehicles.

The trends in the automotive industry related to Ethernet developments include:

Rely on Keysight for automotive Ethernet verification

In this article, we explained how automotive Ethernet is facilitating high-bandwidth applications in modern vehicles to the point where the industry is starting to think about software-defined vehicles.

Whether you're a vehicle manufacturer or a network equipment provider, Keysight offers comprehensive hardware and software solutions for your automotive Ethernet testing, including:

Contact us for advice on the best instruments and software for all your automotive Ethernet test requirements.

Explore related content:

Automotive Ethernet Design and Test Solutions

Use cases:

How to Verify Automotive Ethernet Transmitter Compliance
How to Verify Automotive Ethernet Receiver Compliance
How to test automotive Ethernet channel compliance

Further reading:

Automotive Ethernet: Enabling the Future of Autonomous Driving

How to Overcome IVN Physical Layer Testing Challenges

Car Manufacturer Speeds Ahead with Automotive Ethernet Compliance Solution

Self-paced learning:

Automotive Ethernet Basics

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