Marvell Launches 1000BASE-T1 Development Platform

Marvell, a global leader in connectivity, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud infrastructure, storage, and multimedia semiconductor solutions, has recently unveiled its new automotive Ethernet reference platform incorporated with TE Connectivity’s (TE) MATEnet modular and scalable connector for automotive Ethernet.

The company’s new development platform supports audio video bridging (AVB) switching solutions featuring 100BASE-T1 and 1000BASE-T1 Ethernet physical layer (PHY) capability. This platform also enables automakers to rapidly prototype automotive systems with Gigabit Ethernet for electrical and electronic (E/E) architectures including Vehicle Domain Gateways, Electronic Control Units (ECU), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI).

Philip Poulidis, Vice President and General Manager, Automotive, Wireless and Internet of Things Business Units at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc., said in a statement that the next generation of vehicle technology calls for a high speed and resilient data infrastructure that can operate in the tough conditions of an automobile. He noted that applications such as autonomous driving, immersive infotainment system and advanced safety features are all driving these new architectures. “Marvell is excited to provide the industry’s first development platform that combines our network and Ethernet expertise with TE’s experience in providing real world automotive connector and cable systems to enable vehicle architects to begin designing these systems for mass production.”

According to Eric Kueppers, president of TE’s Global Automotive Business, they are pleased to work with Marvell to incorporate their solution into the first automotive systems that would offer 1000Mbps connectivity. He added that they were impressed with Marvell’s advanced Ethernet PHY technology that is exclusively designed for automotive 100 and 1000BASE-T1 Ethernet PHY transfer and the company’s proven headship in designing collectivity solutions for the next generation of connected cars.

The newly unveiled automotive reference platform offers 100BASE-T1, 1000BASE-T1 and 10/100/1000BASE-T1 Ethernet PHY ports with innovative switching silicon. Included in this platform is the support for the AVB networking standards of the AVnu Alliance’s certification test subgroup (CDS). This support includes Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) to offer end-to-end management of resource reservations for automotive data streams.

The Ethernet PHYs allow high definition and uncompressed video as well as high speed links between domains to support autonomous and connected driving systems and the fastest system bring up from power don to A/V bridging (AVB) operation. The reference platform includes Marvell’s 88Q1010 100BASE-T1 PHY and 88Q2112 100BASE-T1 PHY transceivers, 88EA1512 10/100/1000BASE-T PHY transceivers and 88EA6352 automotive grade AVB 7 port switch. The BASE-T1 technology is compatible with TE’s MATEnet scalable and modular connector for automotive Ethernet. Also, TE’s offering is compatible with Marvell’s automotive reference platform and comprises 1-port and 5-port links for 100/1000 BASE-T1 connectivity.

The 88Q2112 is the first 1000BASE-T1 automotive Ethernet PHY transceiver in the industry that is compliant with the draft IEEE 802.3bp 1000BASE-T1 standard, which enables high speed and bi-directional data traffic over lightweight, affordable single pair cable harnesses. The 88Q2112 supports the highest in-vehicle connectivity bandwidth in the market and is designed to meet the stringent EMI requirements of an automotive system. It also allows the transport of in-vehicle uncompressed 720p30 camera video and support for a number of HD video streams, including 4K resolution.

Meanwhile, the 88Q1010 low-power PHY device supports 100BASE-T1 and complies with the IEEE 802.3bw 100BASE-T1 standard. It supports compressed 1080p60 video for camera and infotainment systems and allows data transport in the car. Plus, it features a low power design and integrated filter that minimizes bill of materials (BOM) costs and allow small form factor designs. With the combination of these components, users are able to have a robust ADAS and infotainment experience in the connected car.

TE Connectivity’s MATEnet scalable and modular connector for automotive Ethernet is designed to meet the tough automotive environment by offering the required performance in automotive Ethernet data transmission up to 1Gbit/s in accordance with IEEE 100/1000BASE-T1. Based on miniaturized standard automotive terminals, such as 0.50 Series, MCON 050, Generation50, and NanoMQS, MATEnet connectors embody a global terminal platform. Moreover, there is a chance to use STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), and TP (Twisted Pair) cable types for Ethernet applications. Also, the MATEnet connector can be adapted to the specific needs of customers.