Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1385324
mouser.com/te-connectivity 11 Decisions such as how many cables to place inside the vehicle and where to place them, where to place Ethernet switches and whether the switch should be in an existing electronic control unit (ECU) or a new dedicated ECU must be made for every feature that requires Ethernet. This decision is crucial to avoid or mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) or other mechanical disturbances. For example, 360-degree cameras on a heavy-duty vehicle transmit high-speed data from the outside of the vehicle to the in-cabin display for the driver to view. Four cameras (one on each side of the vehicle) send signals to an ECU. Designers need to plan where to place a switch to combine the data from the four cameras and send that data in one signal to the ECU. The switch can be in the vehicle or in one of the cameras, which would have four ports to input data from the three other cameras and then send out data. Another option is to integrate the switch into the video display monitor. Active automated functions such as automatic adaptive braking and other advanced driver- assistance systems (ADAS) that include a multi-sensor array, require even more thought in early design stages. Each sensor will have a dedicated communication link to an ECU. The more sensors the vehicle has, the more cables and communication connections are needed. An autonomous heavy-duty vehicle of the future would require a wide sensor array for about 16 radars, 10 lidars, and 10 cameras around the vehicle. Single-pair Ethernet protocol (100BASE-T1 at 100Mbps or 1000BASE-T1 at 1Gbps) provides the ability to transmit data at high speeds. Ethernet networks and connectors allow original equipment manufacturer (OEM) designers to seamlessly integrate more devices into the network and accelerate data connectivity in their vehicles. As a point-to-point topology, Ethernet changes the vehicle's electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture. As OEMs decide to add more features and devices, designers will also need to factor in Ethernet switches to direct the signal and gateways to communicate between Ethernet and CAN. To optimize space, weight, and performance under harsh conditions, designers must consider in the first stages of design how they will integrate Ethernet where it is needed for advanced functionalities.