Automation of vehicles has improved to new levels that driverless cars will be common in the near future. With the exponential increase in high-tech function, data and processing comes the demand for faster data transfer. All major players in the industry need solutions that support higher speed, enhanced reliability and increasing safety standards.

Communication within the different elements of the vehicle is the key to automation. Protocols such as CAN bus was used for engine control units, sensors, and other electronic automotive subsystems. However, most engineers are of the opinion that CAN bus has its limitations in supporting higher bandwidths and power levels required for heavy data-consuming infotainment systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Hence connectors that meet the potential needs in addition to the current requirements are preferred in these vehicles.

Automotive Ethernet offers a perfect solution. It provides a new application solution derived from existing, proven data transfer technology.  Ethernet becomes the backbone of the vehicle, supporting higher levels of data processing and different communication types. Multiple systems within a car are connected with a single Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. This establishes a super speed communication between the systems to provide all the features we enjoy. Automotive Ethernet delivers unmatched data transfer speeds up to 100x faster than CAN bus, and will establish the necessary standards for advancing autonomous vehicle technology.

Connectors like NETBridge from Amphenol ICC are ideal for automotive Ethernet connections. These USCAR-2 compliant connectors are designed for the harsh automotive environment and can transmit up to 100Mbit/s and 1Gbit/s according to IEEE 100BASE-T1 and 1000BASE-T1.

Know more about connectors from Amphenol ICC that supports different automotive applications.