Skip to main content

Ethernet to tap new synergies for connected cars

Ethernet could be catalyst for bringing the automotive industry a step closer to connected vehicles. The latest report from Frost and Sullivan indicates that the need to integrate multiple consumer electronic devices into the car offering connected services and maintaining brand identity has led to a situation where original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are shifting toward higher connectivity options which could power prioritised and personalised services, catering to varied consumer needs. With the parad
July 25, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
Ethernet could be catalyst for bringing the automotive industry a step closer to connected vehicles

The latest report from Frost & Sullivan indicates that the need to integrate multiple consumer electronic devices into the car offering connected services and maintaining brand identity has led to a situation where original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are shifting toward higher connectivity options which could power prioritised and personalised services, catering to varied consumer needs. With the paradigm shift toward connected cars and associated services such as automotive-app stores and connected location based services, there is an ever-increasing need for higher data transfer bandwidths. Ethernet could serve as the backbone to the electronic architecture connecting domains and sub networks that require higher bandwidth and also cater to consumers’ need for connectivity.

Frost and Sullivan estimates that the total number of Ethernet ports globally will reach 300 million by 2020. The number of nodes or ports is expected to range from more than 100 in luxury cars, 50–60 in mass market segment cars, and less than ten nodes in entry level cars by 2020.

“Ethernet could be the catalyst for bringing the automotive industry a step closer to connected vehicles,” says Frost and Sullivan senior research analyst, Divya Krishnamurthy. “With its capability to simplify the networking architecture, higher uptake rates are expected in the near future.”

The bandwidth requirement for in-vehicle electronic applications, such as camera-assisted parking with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane departure warning systems, collision avoidance systems, and traffic light recognition is higher, in the range over 100Mbps. The number of nodes to be connected therefore is also higher. Most importantly, proven IP-based Ethernet technology enables OEMs to use a single-network platform by significantly reducing the connectivity cost and cabling weight. It is scalable and flexible enough to be used in multiple vehicle segments.

“OEMs are now working to bring in Ethernet into their future models that will fulfil all kinds of telematics and infotainment demands of end users,” says Ms Krishnamurty. “OEMs can benefit from the use of Ethernet to reduce connectivity cost and weight due to lighter cabling leading to better fuel economy.”

“It is also indicative that OEMs such as 1731 BMW, 1684 Hyundai, 3883 Jaguar Land Rover, 948 General Motors, American 1683 Honda and 1900 PSA Peugeot Citroën are also part of the open alliance (one-pair Ethernet), a special interest group (SIG) to use Ethernet as a standard solution for infotainment and telematics,” concludes Ms Krishnamurthy.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • V2V capabilities to feature in over half of cars sold by 2022, say researchers
    May 19, 2017
    A new report from Juniper Research has revealed that, by 2022, 50 per cent of new vehicles will be shipped with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) hardware, a technology that enables real-time short-range communication between vehicles. The new research, Consumer Connected Cars: Applications, Telematics & V2V 2017-2022, found that the total number of V2V-enabled consumer vehicles on the road will reach 35 million by 2022, up from less than 150,000 vehicles in 2017. This strong growth rate (376 per cent CAGR) reflects
  • Is DSRC progressive enough for future connected mobility?
    February 3, 2012
    Dedicated Short Range Communications technology, says Cisco's Paul Brubaker, is not by itself progressive enough to sustain long-term innovation in the connected mobility environment - and yet IPv6 and other developments remain largely ignored by policy-makers
  • Moxa provides clear vision for Caldecott Tunnel’s Fourth Bore
    September 15, 2014
    Caldecott Tunnel’s new Fourth Bore is utilising a bespoke high-capacity monitoring and communications network from Moxa. The Caldecott Tunnel connects Contra Costa and Alameda counties in Northern California and traditionally it has suffered severe congestion - especially during peak hours. Opened in 1937 as a twin-bore arrangement, by 1964 the increase in traffic volumes led to a third bore being added. Shortly after the third bore was opened a tidal flow was introduced with the centre bore alternating in
  • Growth of global collision avoidance system market to 2020
    December 9, 2015
    The latest report from Reports and Reports indicates that the global market for collision avoidance systems is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.74 per cent between 2015 and 2020. This report segments the collision avoidance system market comprehensively and provides a close approximation of the size of the overall market and its sub-segments across verticals and regions. The worldwide collision avoidance systems market is expected to be driven by the growing focus of consumers and OEMs on safety features