by The automotive industry is progressing towards generating smarter and more connected vehicles. Modern day vehicles are becoming mini mobile computing devices loaded with various electronic control modules (ECMs) that enable new technologies and features. However, as the number of ECMs increases inside vehicles, conventional in-vehicle networking technologies are straining to efficiently handle the massive amounts of data being generated and shared. This is leading automakers to adopt next generation in-vehicle networking technologies that can support higher data rates, lower latency and smarter connectivity between different systems inside connected cars.
The Need for Higher Bandwidth and Low Latency Networks
Current automotive networks primarily rely on technologies like Controller Area Network (CAN) and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) which have served the industry well but are reaching their limitations. As modern vehicles integrate more advanced driver-assistance, infotainment and telemetry features, the amount of data being shared between different ECMs is growing exponentially. Technologies like camera-based advanced driver assistance systems, HD maps, high-resolution surrounding view cameras, advanced telematics sensors can generate massive amounts of data. This data needs to be shared between different systems in real-time with minimum latency to ensure seamless coordination.
However, existing networking technologies inside vehicles can support only lower data rates of around 1Mbps with latencies ranging from 20-50ms. Such bandwidth and latency constraints can negatively impact safety and functionality of new advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving features. There is a pressing need for in-vehicle networks that support higher bandwidths upwards of 1Gbps and latencies less than 5ms. This would allow seamless sharing of sensor data, map data, navigation inputs and controls between multiple systems to deliver a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.
Emergence of Next Gen Automotive Networking Standards
To address the capability gaps of existing automotive networks, leading automakers and suppliers have been working on developing next generation in-vehicle networking standards that support higher performance requirements of connected cars. Some key next generation automotive networking technologies and standards include:
– Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet or 1000BASE-T1 is gaining popularity as the networking backbone inside future vehicles. It supports bandwidths up to 1Gbps with latencies less than 5ms.
– Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST): MOST is an optical fiber-based multimedia network that provides bandwidth of up to 150Mbps with latencies less than 1ms. It is suitable for advanced safety and infotainment applications.
– AUTOSAR Adaptive: This is an adaptation of the AUTOSAR standard networking framework to support advanced applications through higher bandwidth and lower latency networks.
– Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN): TSN standards enable determinism and real-time communication capabilities in Ethernet networks through mechanisms like time aware shapers and priority scheduling. This makes Ethernet a viable option for safety-critical systems.
– 5G Cellular V2X: 5G cellular V2X standard promises Gigabit bandwidth, sub-5ms latency and support for advanced vehicular use cases ranging from platooning to self-driving. It has potential to transform vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity.
– Fast Ethernet: Fast Ethernet standards like 100BASE-T1 provide up to 100Mbps bandwidth with reliable and low latency connectivity suitable for advanced driver assistance systems.
Implementation Challenges
While Next Generation In-Vehicle Networking technologies offer several advantages, their adoption and implementation also poses several technological and commercial challenges:
Routing Complexity: Designing optimal network topologies and efficient routing mechanisms inside vehicles with dozens of ECMs connected through mixed networking technologies is a complex task. This requires extensive modeling, simulation and testing.
Hardware Costs: Introducing Gigabit Ethernet, high-speed optical networks or multi-radio cellular modes drastically increases networking hardware costs. Component miniaturization needs to reduce board space occupation and costs.
Backward Compatibility: Legacy ECUs and applications still rely on older networks. Next generation networks need to seamlessly co-exist with older systems through intelligent gateways and bridges.
Security & Safety: Availability, integrity and confidentiality of safety-critical real-time control data needs to be ensured through robust cybersecurity measures even as networks become more connected.
Standardization: Lack of universal standards is slowing mass implementation. While several standards are evolving, their co-existence, interoperability and development cycles need to be carefully managed.
Overcoming these challenges would be key for successful adoption of next generation IVN technologies across automotive product lines in the coming years. Automakers and suppliers are continuously working on innovative hardware, software and process solutions to address these barriers.
Benefits of Advanced In-vehicle Networks
When successfully implemented, next generation in-vehicle networks can deliver transformational benefits to automakers and drivers alike:
Enhanced Driving Experience: Higher bandwidth infotainment and telemetry networks can deliver immersive in-car experiences through 4K/8K displays, 360-degree high-definition surround view, advanced navigation, over-the-air software updates etc.
Improved Safety: Low latency networks enabling robust V2X connectivity and fast sensor data sharing between ADAS systems can significantly enhance active safety features, autonomy capabilities and emergency response behaviors.
Enable New Automotive Apps: Always-on Gigabit connectivity opens up possibilities of advanced in-vehicle apps for security, wellness, entertainment that require huge on-board computing and cloud connectivity.
Over-the-Air Updates: Gigabit V2X allows seamless remote software management at scale reducing recall and maintenance costs. Advanced networks serve as the backbone for software-defined vehicles.
Pave way for safer platooning, remote driving, cooperative automated driving through reliable high-speed inter-vehicle communication.
Accelerate development and deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems, automated driving functions through powerful on-board and cloud computing networks.
In summary, next generation automotive networking technologies will transform the connected mobility experience and help automakers introduce new generations of safer, smarter and experience-rich vehicles. Their large scale adoption depends on Continuous innovation to address implementation challenges and progress standards.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
