Marvell Readies Gigabit Ethernet for Autonomous Cars

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Marvell Semiconductor Inc. is launching what it claims is the first automotive Gigabit Ethernet transceiver. The new 88Q2112 platform supports the highest in-vehicle connectivity bandwidth (1,000 Mpbs) and next-generation networking standard that is expected to be finalized in 2016.

Although carmakers are just starting to design for a 100Mb Ethernet, Marvell says a higher capacity system is needed to handle the increasing number of advanced-driver-assistance systems, telematics and connectivity features.

Marvell says its 88Q2112 system—described as a physical layer transceiver—enables the transport of uncompressed 720p30 video camera imaging and supports multiple high-definition video streams with as much as 4K resolution. It also supports high data rate sensors needed for autonomous vehicle functionality.

The proposed IEEE 802.3bp 1000BASE-T1 standard allows for high-speed, bi-directional data traffic over single pair cable harnesses.

Marvell expects Gigabit Ethernets initially to be used to connect infotainment modules. Other potential future applications include image processing, high-fidelity object recognition and serving as a backbone network that connects various vehicle control systems with each other.

Marvell will demonstrate its new system next week at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Standards Assn. Ethernet & IP conference in Yokohama, Japan.