Introduction | Why is "communication" central to vehicle design?

In the first installment, we summarized the evolution of E/E architectures, specifically the decentralized, domain-based, and zone-based models.

In a zone architecture, controllers located in each area (zone) work closely with a central HPC (High Performance Computer). Therefore, the vehicle's internal communication infrastructure is not merely an auxiliary function, but a core element supporting the architecture itself. In conventional distributed and domain-based architectures, control-oriented communications such as CAN and LIN were central. However, with the spread of the SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) concept, the role required of communication is changing dramatically.

So why has it become difficult for CAN, which was previously the mainstream, to continue fulfilling its role?

Why is CAN no longer sufficient?

CAN is an excellent communication method for automotive control applications. Having been the dominant force in automotive communications for many years, it boasts stable strengths, but it also has its challenges.

While CAN was sufficient for conventional architectures, current vehicles handle a wide range of data, including ADAS camera footage (hundreds of Mbps), OTA update data (several gigabytes), large amounts of data for sensor fusion, and cloud communication. Therefore, even CAN FD, with its maximum speed of around 8 Mbps, struggles to handle video and large amounts of data.

Furthermore, in a zone architecture, situations arise where multiple zones communicate simultaneously with a central HPC (High Performance Computer), and control data and video data coexist, necessitating a faster and more flexible communication infrastructure. This is where "automotive Ethernet," a faster and more flexible communication infrastructure, is attracting attention.

About in-vehicle Ethernet

Automotive Ethernet is a communication standard based on consumer Ethernet, optimized for automotive applications.

• High speed (100Mbps to 1Gbps or more)
• Single-pair wiring such as 100BASE-T1 / 1000BASE-T1
• Enhanced noise immunity
• Support for a wide temperature range
• Long-term reliability design

These are some of its strengths, and its greatest feature is that it can handle control data and large-capacity data on the same network. While conventional CAN was "communication for control purposes," automotive Ethernet is responsible for "integrated communication of control and data."​

However, simply being high-speed isn't enough for vehicle control. Control signals must "arrive within a predetermined time." Time-sensitive networking (TSN) solves this problem.

What is TSN (Time Sensitive Networking)?

Ethernet is inherently a communication method that is "fast but has weak guarantees regarding order and timing." Since data is basically transmitted when there is available capacity, it is not a problem for internet use, but the situation is different for vehicle control.

For example, brake control signals andsteering control signals require real-time capabilities and must arrive within a specified time. However, in a zone configuration, data is centralized from each zone to a central HPC (High Performance Computer), resulting in camera footage and control signals flowing simultaneously. Without priority control, this creates risks such as video data occupying bandwidth and control signals experiencing delays.

This is where TSN becomes important. TSN enables time synchronization, bandwidth reservation, and priority control. If regular Ethernet is like a "general road," then TSN is like a "highway with priority lanes." Therefore, since traffic rules can be set for each type of communication, for example, video data, control signals, and diagnostic communications can coexist safely on the same network.

In short, TSN can be described as "a technology that elevates Ethernet to the level of automotive control."

The role required of semiconductors

As mentioned in the first article, zone configurations require microcontrollers and network devices with communication capabilities as hardware.

The Infineon AURIX™ series of automotive microcontrollers, available through Macnica, features multi-core (lockstep core), hardware safety mechanisms, and an integrated HSM, making them high-performance microcontrollers suitable for zone controllers and safety control applications.

Furthermore, since Infineon acquired Marvell Technology's automotive Ethernet business in 2025, its lineup of automotive Ethernet switches and PHYs will contribute to the construction of high-speed, highly reliable communication infrastructure in zone configurations.

Please consider it.

Summary | The era where communication design becomes architecture design

Automotive Ethernet is not just about high-speed communication. In a zone architecture,

Bandwidth design

Real-time guarantee

・Redundant configuration

• Security design

It is necessary to consider these factors in an integrated manner, and we have entered an era where communication design itself is directly linked to E/E architecture design.

Next time, we'll delve deeper into the relationship between zoning and security design.

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