Ethernet bridge ICs operate in automotive and industrial applications

By Alex Pluemer, contributing writer

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. expands its line of automotive Ethernet bridge ICs with the new TC9562 series. The new series supports the current Ethernet AVB and new Ethernet TSN networking standards. The Ethernet TSN standard was developed to meet the growing needs of vehicles with complex automotive communication systems.

Internet and cellular access allow information to be shared between on-board systems and external services and systems, while low-latency communication is a key factor in advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving technologies. This rapidly developing technology requires reliable transmission standards with real-time data delivery.

The three new products include:

• The TC9562XBG offers simpler configuration than Toshiba’s current product family.
• The TC9562AXBG supports expanded interface capabilities with SGMII in addition to the RGMII, RMII, and MII interfaces supported by the current product line.
• The TC9562BXBG supports Ethernet TSN standards IEEE 802.1Qbv, IEEE 802.1Qbu, and IEE 802.3br, as well as TC9562AXBG’s capabilities.

Key features of the TC9562 series:

CPU Core

• Arm Cortex-M3

Host Interface

• PCle I/F: Gen2.0 (5 GT/s), endpoint, single lane

Automotive Interface

• Ethernet AVB MAC integrated

Choice of SGMII/RGMII/RMII/MII Interfaces (TC9562AXBG, TC9562BXBG support SGMII) compliant with IEEE802.1AS, IEEE802.1Qav standards

• Ethernet AVB/TSN MAC integrated (only for TC9562BXBG) compliant with IEEE 802.1Qbv, IEEE 802.1Qbu, IEEE 802.3br standards

Peripheral Interfaces

• I² C or SPI
• Quad-SPI
• UART 2ch
• Interrupt ports
• GPIO

Supply Voltage

• Choice of 1.8 V/3.3 V (for I/O)
• Choice of 1.8 V/2.5 V/3.3 V (for RGMII/RMII/MII)
• 1.8 V (for SGMII, PCIe)
• 1.1 V (for Core)

Package

• P-LFBGA 120 balls; 9 × 9 mm, 0.65-mm pitch

When connected to a host, the TC9562 family will allow the host device to deliver audio, video, and data through the 10/100/1,000 Ethernet network. Toshiba anticipates the new bridge ICs to be implemented in in-vehicle infotainment systems, telematics, audio amplifiers, and industrial equipment. The TC9562 family will be AEC-Q100 Grade-3−qualified.

Toshiba is currently developing a low-power mode for the TC96562 series featuring 0.5-mW power consumption and a 100-ms recover time (at 20°C).