Using Ethernet over powerline communication in automotive networks

A main cost factor of the electronics in modern cars is the harness as well as the number and complexity of gateways between the different automotive networks. Part of the vision “All IP/Ethernet Car” is the reduction of this costs. Today cars use different networks for power distribution and communication. With Ethernet it is possible to combine these networks and thus to reduce these costs. The most promising candidate for automotive networks is a variation of Power Over Ethernet (POE), where it is possible to provide low power and 100 Mbps IEEE 802.3 Ethernet-like communication over a single pair of unshielded twisted wires. In this paper, we investigate another approach. We like to enable Ethernet over the automotive power network using Powerline Communication (PLC). This approach complements the POE solution, because it provides only low data rates but high power. Thus, it will have its merits when it comes to further reducing the harness. In this paper, Ethernet-PLC-bridges built upon the SIG60 automotive narrowband PLC (NB-PLC) transceivers from Yamar Electronics Ltd. are presented. The tests conducted so far indicate, that such an approach actually can serve as a replacement for the “low speed” Controller Area Network (CAN) and especially for the Local Interconnect Network (LIN), additionally providing power and Ethernet-based communication.