Toshiba’s latest Ethernet Bridge IC finds applications in telematics, in-vehicle infotainment

More and more road vehicles now have onboard connectivity, equipping them with internet and cellular access, and allowing information to be shared among onboard systems and devices and with external systems and services. On top of this, low latency communications are essential for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies.

These developments all require more complex automotive communication systems supported by reliable transmission standards with real-time data delivery. The Ethernet TSN standard was developed expressly to meet these needs.

Bearing the facts in mind, Japan’s Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has expanded its lineup of automotive Ethernet bridge ICs with the new TC9562 series. TC9562AXBG, which offers more interfaces than Toshiba’s current bridge ICs, the TC9560 series; TC9562BXBG which supports Ethernet TSN and Ethernet AVB and TC9562XBG, which offers simpler IC configuration than current products.

Toshiba has said that the sample shipments of the three new products will start in February, and volume production will start in October 2019.

The Ethernet AVB specification offers real-time reliable data transmission and is increasingly used in vehicles. Toshiba currently offers the TC9560 series of Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000Mbps) solutions compliant with IEEE 802.1AS and IEEE 802.1Qav.

Toshiba says its new product family responds to market demand with support for both the current AVB and the new TSN networking standards.