Mouser Electronics White Paper
To be effective, safety systems will need to be integrated into every
aspect of the automotive design. To achieve this and offer space- and
weight-saving capabilities that will deliver new levels of performance
and efficiency, the automotive industry has developed a new approach:
zonal architecture.
In contrast to a domain architecture, in which vehicle systems are
grouped by function, zonal architecture offers a more efficient solution.
The functions within a vehicle are grouped by location into several
zones. Each zone is responsible for the devices installed in a particular
section of the vehicle and is connected to a locally installed zonal
controller or gateway. Because a zonal gateway is close to the devices it
controls, the cable lengths required to connect them are relatively short.
Each zonal gateway is then connected to the central computing cluster
at the heart of the vehicle. One critical change from existing vehicle
architectures is that the communication between zonal gateways and
the central computer resembles that of a computer network rather
than an automotive harness. As a result, this inter-zonal communication
can take place over a small, high-speed networking cable that greatly
reduces both the quantity and size of the cables that must be installed
around the vehicle.
This new approach leverages the latest developments in computing
power and high-speed communication, both of which will be essential
due to the huge increase in data that this next generation of vehicles
must analyze. The array of sensors that will form the eyes and ears of the
latest ADAS and autonomous systems will create an unprecedented
volume of information that must be processed at high speeds.
To meet these demands, the Amphenol Commercial Ve-NET™ Auto
Multi-Gigabit Connector System is designed to turn vehicles into
their own networked data centers. Derived from existing networking
protocols, the Ve-NET system follows the automotive 25GBASE-T1
protocol and can transmit data rates up to at least 25Gbps. Designed
to cope with electromagnetic interferences inside the automobile, this
connector system uses unshielded twisted pair or shielded twisted
pair cable for superior signal integrity. Complying with the stringent
USCAR2 and European LV214 specifications, Ve-NET components are
available in various sealed and non-sealed configurations, with housings
designed to prevent damage to the electrical contacts.
Conclusion
The automotive industry is shifting significantly. The adoption of new
power sources has coincided with the promise of autonomous vehicles
and the increasing integration of in-car systems with personal mobile
devices. Our relationship with cars will also change, from how we
control them to how we fuel them. All these innovations will affect how
vehicles are designed, enabled by the new zonal architecture. The
development of miniaturized sensors, high-speed communication, and
reliable connectivity will create safer vehicles, even when they are acting
autonomously.
Designers need access to these solutions and partners who can help
turn their concepts into reality. Amphenol has the technical expertise,
experience, and global footprint to develop connector and sensor
solutions for the next generation of cars and vehicles, ensuring that
safety remains at the very heart of automotive design.
Sources
1 "Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel," Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, November 21, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/
drowsy-driving.html
2 "Drowsy Driving," US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
accessed May 10, 2024, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-
driving
3 "Explanatory Memorandum (Regulation (EU) 2019/2144)," EUR-Lex, accessed
May 10, 2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_
COM%3AAres%282021%291075107&rid=11
4 "Advanced Driver Assistance Systems," National Safety Council, Injury Facts,
April 10, 2024, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/occupant-protection/
advanced-driver-assistance-systems/data-details/
