In Lucas Mearlan’s “Ethernet is Coming to Cars,” the author writes about the newfound ability for car-based microchips to be able to have 100MBps Ethernet networks within their vehicles. Essentially, a new set of processors from Freescale are set to link Wi-Fi routers and electronics within cars over twisted pair cable instead of CAT 5, which is said to provide a sufficiently robust networking topology for cars. Among the possibilities these systems will bring includes allowing cars to become interconnected, thus potentially reducing instances of collisions between vehicles, thus keeping occupants safe. The article itself also broadly discusses technological trends within cars and automobiles, noting that electronics and audio/video devices like built-in DVD players, backup cameras, traffic light recognition and more are becoming essentially mandatory in new cars, thus requiring a whole new systems architecture to fit all of this new software and hardware. The choice of using Ethernet for these systems, as well as the ensuing competition from other standards like LVDS demonstrates a need to standardize one system in order to provide the greatest level of compatibility for all cars involved in these changes.
This article relates greatly to the chapter on Ethernet, as it discusses that platform’s applicability to creating unconventional networking solutions for places other than the home or office. Since wired LANs are the most effective measure for the kinds of systems required in car-based electronics systems, it makes sense to use Ethernet. As the chapter mentions, Ethernet is also an extremely economical and cost-effective measure, which makes it ideal for introducing these new systems to cars without dramatically increasing the price of the vehicles (particularly for consumers). Such an extremely physical networking platform will serve automobiles well, particularly as they deal with issues of mobility, size and efficiency. Ethernet-based networks will be able to be accomplished at a very small scale, so it would not interfere with the form factor of the car to a tremendous degree. The chapter also discusses the 802.3 Committee and the IEEE Standards Association, both of which are organizations that likely would need to approve a standardized Ethernet networking platform in conjunction with car companies to solidify whatever system ends up being used in cars.
All in all, the article provides some interesting illumination on the way cars are going, and the new systems required to satisfy the needs of discerning consumers. No longer are we satisfied with cars that simply get us from point A to point B; we also need a tremendous number of amenities, including ones that promote greater safety like lane-change warning systems and backup cameras. These kinds of advancements are incredibly important in a changing world that increases its use of technology every day, so finding an easy to use and standardized Ethernet system is necessary to make these transitions more streamlined. This article does a great job of noting both the applicability of Ethernet to these specific needs, as well as the process behind standardizing it and the competing platforms that seek to take its place as the new means by which networking technology is incorporated into today’s vehicles. The article also provides some helpful information about the timeline that is expected to bring these transitions in – noting that 2020 will see more than half of all cars with Ethernet ports, and that these cars will likely be able to communicate with each other.
Works Cited
Mearlan, Lucas. “Ethernet is Coming to Cars.” Computer World. Oct. 21, 2014.
