Advantages of Automotive Ethernet | Disadvantages of Automotive Ethernet
This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Ethernet in automotive domain.It mentions benefits or advantages of automotive ethernet and drawbacks or disadvantages of automotive ethernet.
Introduction : Prior to introduction of ethernet automotive industry was facing increased complexity in automobile vehicles. Moreover, as vehicles became more advanced, the need to incorporate many features in vehicles were not possible with existing bus systems. These electronic systems require higher bandwidth communication between ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), infotainment systems, connected services and other ECUs (Electronic Control Units). All these reasons have led to introduction of Ethernet in automotive industry.
What is Automotive Ethernet ?
The term has been derived from use of Ethernet technology in automotive domain. Ethernet is widely used in networking domain mainly in computer networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (i.e. internet). Complexity and connectivity requirements have been increased in modern vehicles. This has pioneered use of Ethernet in automotive applications.
Several Ethernet Standards have been developed over the years to support various network speeds, cable types and topologies. These standards are managed by various organizations and groups such as IEEE, OPEN Alliance, ISO, IETF and TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking). The Ethernet standards which have been established include IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), IEEE 802.3ab (Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE 802.3ae (10 Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE 802.3ba (40 Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE 802.3bj/802.3bm (100 Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE 802.3bs (400 Gigabit Ethernet) etc.
In automobiles, Ethernet is used for various purposes such as in-vehicle networking, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), infotainment systems, autonomous driving and other communication requirements of the vehicle. The key features of ethernet which has made its way in automotive industry include higher bandwidth, scalability, reliability, integration, safety and security etc. Automotive Ethernet offers robust and flexible communication infrastructure for modern vehicles. It supports enhanced connectivity requirements of automobiles including data transfer betweeen various units. Figure-1 depicts various interface types used in a modern car such as CAN, LIN, MOST, FlexRay and Ethernet.
Benefits or advantages of Automotive Ethernet
Following are the benefits or advantages of Automotive Ethernet:
➨It provides significantly higher data rates compared to traditional communication protocols used in automotive sector.
This enables transmission of large amounts of data produced by cameras, sensors and other systems in modern vehicles.
➨It is a scalable technology which allows addition of new devices and functionalities without major changes in automobile infrastructure.
It offers flexibility to accommodate future upgrades and expansions.
➨It enables integration of multiple automotive systems onto a single network. This provides unified communication between various components
such as powertrain, chassis, body control, infotainment and ADAS systems.
➨It incorporates mechanisms for deterministic and real time communication. This ensures timely delivery of critical information essential for
safety applications such as ADAS and autonomous driving.
➨It integrates multiple systems onto a single network which reduces amount of wiring and connectors in vehicle. This offers simplified architecture,
reduced weight and improved reliability.
➨It incorporates robust security features such as authentication, encryption and secure communication protocols. This protects against
unauthorized access and prevents any malicious attacks. This ensures safety and security of connected vehicles.
➨Ethernet is widely adopted technology in various industries which enables compatibility, interoperability and easier
collaboration between automotive manufacturers and technology providers.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of Automotive Ethernet
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Automotive Ethernet:
➨Ethernet technology in vehicles can be costlier compared to traditional automotive communication protocols.
➨Ethernet signals are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) , which can degrade signal quality and affect data transmission.
➨It may not always provide the same level of deterministic behavior as some traditional automotive communication protocols.
➨Ethernet networks in vehicles can become complex to manage, particularly when the number of connected devices and systems increases.
➨Introducing Ethernet into existing vehicles that were not initially designed to support it can be challenging.
Retrofitting older vehicles with Ethernet technology may require significant modifications.