Ethernet 10BASE-T1S: The Next Evolution in Automotive Networking?
Introduction
The automotive industry is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation by moving away from legacy networking systems toward modern scalable solutions. At the core of this shift is Automotive Ethernet, particularly Ethernet 10BASE-T1S, which is revolutionizing in-vehicle communication and enabling the adoption of zonal architecture.
What is Automotive Ethernet?
Historically, vehicles relied on Controller Area Network (CAN), a protocol developed in the 1980s that, whilst effective for simple communication struggles with modern data loads. As data loads across vehicles have increased dramatically, CAN has now become a bottleneck.
Modern vehicles integrate a massive number of sensors, cameras, infotainment systems and other high-speed communication demands. These demands now necessitate a more robust and scalable solution. Automotive Ethernet, particularly standards like Ethernet 10BASE-T1S, is designed to address these increasing challenges.
Simplified wiring: Utilizing a single twisted pair instead of traditional multi-wire configurations, reducing weight and cost.
Deterministic data transmission: Supporting real-time communication and ensuring safety-critical messages (e.g., collision detection signals) are delivered on time.
Enhanced scalability: Facilitating seamless integration of software-defined functionalities and higher bandwidth capabilities.
Zonal Architecture and Its Relationship with Automotive Ethernet
The traditional vehicle architecture consists of many distributed electronic control units (ECUs), each responsible for individual functions. Think sensors, braking systems, powertrain etc. A modern luxury car can easily have 100+ ECUs across the vehicle which leads to very complex wiring systems and high bill of materials costs.
Zonal architecture is a forward-thinking solution to these problems. Instead of having a dedicated ECU for each function, zonal architecture divides the car into regions, or "zones," where a zone controller manages various components (sensors, actuators, etc.) within that area. These zone controllers then communicate with a central computing system.
Here’s how zonal architecture addresses the challenges of traditional systems:
Reduced Complexity: By consolidating control into fewer, more powerful processors, zonal architecture reduces the number of ECUs. Each zone controller can manage multiple tasks, simplifying the vehicle’s internal network.
Minimised Wiring: Zonal controllers eliminate the need for extensive, complex wiring across the vehicle. This not only reduces vehicle weight but also simplifies assembly and maintenance.
Enhanced Scalability: Zonal architecture is far more adaptable for future upgrades. Adding new features no longer requires a new ECU for each function; instead, software updates and new connections can be managed through existing zone controllers.
While zonal architecture offers a more efficient and flexible system, it requires highly specialised hardware to function effectively. This is where bespoke chips—customised, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)—come into play. Read more about how ChipFlow enables automotive OEMs to develop custom ASICs cheaper, faster and easier than traditional approaches.
Overcoming the Adoption Challenges of Automotive Ethernet
Established engineering teams have long relied on proven methods and, often, off-the-shelf solutions. And for the most part this hasn’t presented much of a problem. However, as the world continues to move toward a greater software defined approach, the need for companies to differentiate their offering has grown. Due to this, adoption of Zonal Architectures has been relatively slow.
With automotive profit margins tightening, Ethernet adoption is becoming an economic necessity. OEMs that manage this transition will gain a competitive edge, while those that delay adoption, risk losing market share.
Safety, Security, and ISO 26262 Compliance
Safety remains a paramount concern in automotive networking. Ethernet must support deterministic data transmission to ensure critical signals (e.g., emergency braking alerts) are always delivered.
ISO 26262, the industry-standard functional safety guideline, mandates a structured approach to risk assessment and mitigation. Automotive Ethernet enhances safety through:
Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN): Ensures that essential data (e.g., brake sensor readings) is prioritized over less critical traffic (e.g., media streaming).
Physical Layer Collision Avoidance (PLCA): A specific feature of 10BASE-T1S that allocates timeslots to critical devices at the physical layer on a shared bus, reducing latency and ensuring deterministic communication.
Advanced security protocols: Unlike CAN, which lacks built-in security, Ethernet supports encryption and authentication measures.
How ChipFlow Supports the Automotive Ethernet Evolution
One of the key challenges in transitioning to zonal architecture and Ethernet-based vehicle networking is the availability of specialized chips. Traditional semiconductor vendors often wait for industry-wide consensus before designing dedicated silicon, leaving early adopters to piece together custom solutions.
With ChipFlow, Automotive OEMs (& Tier1s) can analyse SW/HW options and design chips that outperform competitors’ generic solutions by being optimized for their specific application requirements from the onset of the design.
ChipFlow specializes in consolidating and optimizing Remote I/O solutions within SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) architectures. We assist OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in managing SDV transformations by offering cost-effective turnkey hardware solutions, system-level design expertise, and tailored gateway designs. We enable consolidation of communication protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, and LIN, simplifying hardware complexity and reducing costs.
ChipFlow enables Automotive OEMs to:
Swiftly analyse and test SW/HW concepts (FPGA) and progress the selected concepts to ASICs
Consolidate ICs & ECUs to reduce complexity and cost.
Simplify wiring harnesses and reduce material costs.
Gain agility to adapt to evolving market demands. Reduce dependence on costly & slow Tier1s suppliers.
Design chips to meet automotive safety standards, such as ISO26262.
Conclusion
OEMs that embrace the transformation early will gain a competitive advantage, while those who hesitate risk falling behind. ChipFlow is playing a crucial role in supporting this evolution, providing the tools and expertise necessary for designing next-generation automotive silicon.
