The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. What was once a hardware-dominated space is now evolving into a landscape defined by intelligent software, connectivity, and automation. This shift is paving the way for the software-defined vehicle (SDV)—where features and functions are delivered and upgraded through code, not just hardware
As demand rises for connected automotive solutions, autonomous capabilities, and over-the-air (OTA) updates, the spotlight is firmly on the in-vehicle network. These networks serve as digital highways, enabling communication not only between the many edge devices in the vehicle, but also between those edge devices and the cloud. This article explores the evolution of these networks, their key technologies, and the role they play in powering the next generation of AI-defined vehicles and connected mobility.
Legacy Systems
In-vehicle communication today begins with legacy protocols like CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), and FlexRay. While reliable for basic operations, these systems were designed for limited data exchange and struggled to meet the modern vehicle requirements of high bandwidth, security, and cloud accessibility. Their limitations in scalability have become obstacles to innovation.
Transition to Ethernet-Based Architectures
To meet growing data demands, the industry is transitioning toward automotive Ethernet. Offering higher bandwidth and more efficient data handling, Ethernet-based systems form the backbone of next-gen vehicle networks. In particular, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) enables these Ethernet systems to handle real-time traffic, which is essential for safety-critical applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving.
Key Protocols
Two key IP-based protocols define this evolution:
These protocols facilitate dynamic data flows and services between traditional bus systems and more modern ethernet backbones, simplifying communication and improving compatibility between cloud and edge systems.
Advantages
Compared to legacy architectures, Ethernet and IP protocols:
Definition and Capabilities
Connected vehicles go beyond onboard intelligence—they communicate with infrastructure, other vehicles (V2V), pedestrians (V2P), and the cloud (V2C) using Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies. These capabilities enable real-time decision-making and enhanced safety.
Network Requirements
To support this, in-vehicle networks must offer:
Edge Computing and Cloud Offloading
Modern networks allow computation and data to be distributed between the vehicle and the cloud. Appropriate edge/cloud offloading enables faster decision-making in the vehicle in real-time, while managing larger datasets from fleets of vehicles in the cloud, which is critical for AI-defined vehicles and autonomous platforms.
Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and Centralized Architectures
Concept of SDVs
The software-defined vehicle represents a fundamental shift: core functions are no longer defined by the hardware but are abstracted, virtualized, and updateable via software. This enables continuous improvement and feature expansion throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.
Shift to Centralized ECUs/Zonal Architectures
In this model, multiple small ECUs are replaced with a few high performance computing units connected via zonal hubs. This simplifies system design and cabling while enhancing performance.
Network Implications
These changes demand:
Challenges and Future Trends
Technical Challenges
Modern in-vehicle networks must handle bandwidth prioritization and ensure deterministic behavior in systems with both safety-critical and non-critical data.
Security Considerations
Protecting data during OTA updates and cloud exchanges is vital. Advanced authentication, encryption, secure boot, and partitioned software stacks are necessary safeguards.
Emerging Solutions
New technologies shaping the future include:
Standardization and Collaboration
Consortia, like AVNU and the eSync Alliance, are crucial for industry-wide standardization, ensuring interoperability and accelerating innovation.
In Essence
In-vehicle networks are no longer support systems—they are the digital infrastructure on which the future of mobility is built. Future in-vehicle networks will be foundational to connected and SDV technologies, requiring robust, secure, and flexible architectures. From vehicle diagnostics to real-time data sharing, these networks enable the capabilities that define connected automotive solutions and software-defined vehicles.
As vehicles become platforms for mobility services and software innovation, in-vehicle networks will continue to evolve toward high-performance, IP-based ecosystems.
The road ahead lies in harmonizing connectivity, performance, and security to fully realize the vision of autonomous and intelligent mobility.
As the industry transitions toward mobility-as-a-service and continuous innovation, Excelfore is committed to delivering robust, secure, and scalable networking solutions that drive the future of intelligent, connected mobility.