Toshiba Corporation announced the launch of an automotive-grade Ethernet bridge solution for in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and other automotive applications. The TC9560XBG supports standards such as IEEE 802.1AS and IEEE 802.1Qav, generally referred to as Ethernet-AVB. The Ethernet-AVB standard enables stable, reliable multimedia transmissions, making it suitable for IVI and telematics.

Sample shipments of the TC9560XBG Ethernet bridge solution and TC9560AXBG, with CAN-FD features, start, with volume production slated for October 2016. Automotive electronics are becoming more complex with the addition of advanced sensors, high-resolution displays, on-vehicle cameras, automated driver assistance systems (ADAS), and their data transmission and controls. Connecting these devices with an industry-standard Ethernet protocol contributes to simplified wiring, cost savings, reduced harness weight and improved mileage.

Toshiba's new automotive-grade Ethernet solution also supports Ethernet-AVB, which is an important factor for multimedia applications. In addition, the device will be AEC-Q100[1] qualified to ensure performance in rigorous automotive environments. Strategy Analytics forecasts that demand for automotive Ethernet will exceed 120 million nodes by 2020[2], driven by increased in- and on-vehicle electronic content, including cameras, sensors, displays, safety systems and convenience solutions.

In particular, for emerging autonomous vehicle systems, a reliable, high-speed communications network is an essential requirement. Connected to an application processor or other system-on-chip (SoC) host, the TC9560XBG allows the host device to deliver audio, video, and data information through the 10/100/1000 Ethernet network in an automotive environment. Connection to the host is achieved via PCI Express (PCIe), HSIC or Time Division Multiplex (TDM)/I2S for audio traffic.

The IC's RGMII/RMII interface connects to the Ethernet switch or PHY device, and both AVB and legacy traffic are supported. An on-chip ARM Cortex-M3 processor can perform system control and management. The new chipset will be showcased at the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to be held from January 6 to January 9 in Las Vegas, U.S.A. Part Number: TC9560XBG/TC9560AXBG.

CPU Core: ARM Cortex-M3. HOST Interface (External Application) - PCIe I/F: Gen2.0(5GT/s), Endpoint, Single lane - HSIC I/F: 480Mbps. Automotive Interface - Built-in MAC compliant with Ethernet-AVB, Interface selectable from RGMII/RMII/MI, (Support is planned for MII), IEEE802.1AS, IEEE802.1Qav compliant, CAN-FD: Max.

2channels (TC9560AXBG only). Audio Interface: Selection from I2S or TDM. Peripheral Interface - Selection from I2C or SPI- Quad-SPI – UART - Interrupt port – GPIO.

Power-Supply Voltage 1.8V/3.3V (IO), 1.2V (HSIC), 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V (RGMII/RMII/MII), 1.1V (Core). Package P-LFBGA 170 balls, 10mmx10mm, 0.65mm pitch.