Modular Ethernet connector for Ethernet vehicle networks with various transmission rates

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) for connecting a Media Access Control port (MAC port) (31) to an Ethernet bus (20) in a vehicle. The Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) comprises a Bus Internet Network (BIN) module (110, 210, 310) and a transceiver module (120, 220, 320). The BIN module (110, 210, 310) is configured for mechanical and electrical connection to the Ethernet bus (20). The transceiver module (120, 220, 320) is configured for signal transmission between the BIN module (110, 210, 310) and the MAC port (31) via a media-independent interface (21, 22, 23). The BIN module (110, 210, 310) and / or the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) are / are taken from a BIN module catalog or a transceiver module catalog, respectively, depending on the media-independent interface (21, 22, 23) and / or the data transmission rate of the Ethernet bus (20).The BIN module catalog and the transceiver module catalog each comprise at least one BIN module (110, 210, 310) or transceiver module (120, 220, 320) that are electrically and mechanically connectable to each other and are designed for integration into the Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300).

Description

The invention relates to a modular Ethernet connector, which is designed in particular for connecting a media access control (MAC) port to an Ethernet bus in a vehicle. The modular construction of the Ethernet plug enables flexible adaptation to different network requirements by virtue of the fact that different modules can be used for connection to the Ethernet bus and for communication with the MAC port.Modern vehicles have numerous electronic components connected to one another via wired Ethernet. While the protocol stack assigned to the data link layer (layer 2 according to the OSI layer model) is usually designed to be identical or very similar, the cable types assigned to the physical layer (layer 1 according to the OSI layer model) and connectors of different Ethernet connections in a vehicle have considerable differences. Known solutions use Ethernet connectors of different geometry, with different pin occupation of connection contacts and with different electronic plug modules depending on the transmission speed (for example 100 Mbit Ethernet, 1000 Mbit Ethernet or multigigabit Ethernet) and / or depending on the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) required in each case.These differences make a uniform, cost-effective cabling solution difficult for the provision of Ethernet connections in vehicles. Therefore, there is a need for a universally usable configurable Ethernet connector for use in vehicles.The document US 2014 / 0017933 A1 describes a modular plug connector with a plug connector assembly with an insert assembly in the rear part of the plug connector housing. In one embodiment, the connector has a plurality of terminals in a multi-row configuration and the cartridge assembly includes a substrate suitable for receiving one or more electronic components such as inductors, transformers, or other signal conditioning elements or magnets. The substrate is also connected to the conductors of two modular terminals of the connector and can be removed from the housing so that it can be replaced with an insert assembly having different electronics or terminal configuration. In this way, the plug may be configured for a variety of different standards (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet and 10 / 100 Mbit Ethernet). In another embodiment, the connector assembly includes a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) housed within the housing.The document US 2005 / 0196119 A1 describes a miniaturized network module (small form-factor pluggable SFP module) having two interfaces to a host, wherein a first interface supports the 1000Base-X network protocol and a second interface is designed as a serial gigabit media independent interface (SGMII) interface. Depending on the host-supported interface, the network module transmits via a media dependent interface (MDI) according to the 1000Base-T network protocol.The document US 20009 / 0175283 A1 describes a USB-to-Ethernet controller which is set up for two operating modes. In a first operating mode, the USB-to-Ethernet controller operates autonomously as an integrated chip. In a second operating mode (dual-PHY operating mode), the USB-to-Ethernet controller operates as an Ethernet PHY or as a USB-to-Rev-MII bridge chip with an external media access controller (MAC) of an Ethernet controlled by a microcontroller. The USB-to-Ethernet controller provides a mechanism for autodetection and autoselection of the respective communication interface (Ethernet interface or USB device interface) by means of a station management register in such a way that two physical devices can be accessed by the MAC of the microcontroller via the same station management interface.The document US 2016 / 0043766 A1 describes, as compact small shape factor pluggable (CSFP) modules, a CSFP connector and a dual Ethernet socket connector which are configured for connecting a first Ethernet transceiver to a second Ethernet transceiver.The document EP 2 421 100 A1 describes a plug connection module for connecting an electronic device to an Ethernet communication network, wherein the plug connection module comprises a first and a second Ethernet connection for connection to one or more Ethernet networks or Ethernet sub-networks and a device connection for connection to the electronic device, wherein the plug connection module further comprises a switching network node module and the two Ethernet connections and the device connection are coupled via the switching network node module in such a way that an Ethernet frame arriving via one of the connections can be forwarded or is forwarded to at least one of the other connections.The document DE 102 42 921 A1 describes an Ethernet plug which is connected to an Ethernet terminal and serves for connecting the latter to a communication line, wherein an Ethernet switch is integrated in the Ethernet plug.The object of the invention is to provide a modular Ethernet connector which enables simple adaptation to different data transmission rates and physical interfaces in a vehicle network without a separate connector having to be developed for each specific application.The object is achieved according to the invention by a modular Ethernet connector having the features of claim 1.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.The invention proposes a modular Ethernet connector that connects a Media Access Control (MAC) port to an Ethernet bus. The Ethernet connector includes a bus Internet Network (BIN) module and a transceiver module. These two modules make it possible to adapt flexibly to the different requirements of the Ethernet bus and the interface to the MAC port.The BIN module is mechanically and electrically configured to be coupled to the Ethernet bus. It supports various data transfer rates and physical media, thereby providing a universal interface to the bus. The transceiver module takes over the task of signal transmission between the BIN module and the MAC port via a media-independent interface. This interface ensures that the communication can take place independently of the physical medium of the Ethernet bus.An essential feature of the BIN module and of the transceiver module is their modularity. Depending on the requirements of the network, in particular with regard to the media-independent interface and the data transmission rate of the Ethernet bus, the BIN module and the transceiver module can be selected from a predefined catalog. The BIN module catalog and the transceiver module catalog each include at least one module. The modules of the BIN module catalog and the transceiver module catalog are both mechanically and electrically compatible with one another and can be integrated into the Ethernet plug.This modular construction allows the Ethernet connector to be adapted to different network requirements without a complete redesign being necessary. This enables a reduction in the development and production costs and at the same time increases the flexibility and flexibility of the plug.By using a single cable and plug type, the complexity of inventory management on both the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the supplier side is significantly reduced. This facilitates logistics and saves costs.Due to scale effects in production and procurement, costs can be saved. If more parts of the same type are obtained, they are usually more advantageous in terms of purchase. The modular construction of the plug permits standardization, which leads to a reduction in production costs.A universal plug system with several Ethernet plugs designed according to the invention supports several transmission rates and enables simple upgrades and scalability. Fewer technical aspects have to be taken into account since only the physical design within the Ethernet plug has to be adapted to the requirements of the respective speed level. This can be implemented as a placement option.The invention significantly simplifies the design and development process for in-vehicle network systems. In particular with regard to the spatial design, only one geometry has to be taken into account independently of the selected Ethernet data transmission rate. This reduces the development effort considerably.Unified Ethernet connectors reduce the risk of misconnections and thus improve overall system reliability. Fewer variants in production generally result in a more robust and less error-prone manufacturing process.In one embodiment, the BIN module catalog comprises at least one BIN module each, which is configured for mechanical and electrical connection to an Ethernet bus with a transmission speed of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbit / s), to an Ethernet bus with a transmission speed of between 100 Mbit / s to 1000 Mbit / s and to an Ethernet bus with a transmission speed of more than 1000 Mbit / s.The transceiver module catalog comprises transceiver modules which are configured for signal transmission between at least one BIN module removed from the BIN module catalog and a MAC port, wherein at least one transceiver module provides a media-independent interface according to a media independent interface (MII) interface specification, at least one transceiver module provides a media-independent interface according to a gigabit media independent interface (GMII) interface specification and at least one transceiver module provides a media-independent interface according to a multi gigabit media independent interface (XGMII) interface specification.This embodiment enables the particularly easy and flexible production of Ethernet-based vehicle networks which connect components (in particular control units) to different media-independent interfaces via Ethernet buses with different transmission speeds (data transmission rates).In one embodiment, at least one transceiver module of the transceiver module catalog is designed as a 100BASE-T1 switch. A 100BASE-T1 switch is a network device that has been specially designed for data transmission over Ethernet in vehicles and industrial applications. In contrast to conventional Ethernet standards, which typically use two or four line pairs, the 100BASE-T1 standard allows data to be transmitted over a single line pair at a rate of 100 Mbit / s. This makes it particularly suitable for the requirements of modern vehicles in which space and weight savings play a major role.At least one further transceiver module of the transceiver module catalog is designed as a 1000BASE-T1 switch and provides a transmission rate of 1000 Mbit / s. Furthermore, at least one further transceiver module of the transceiver module catalog is designed as a multi-gigabit switch and provides a transmission rate of several gigabits per second (Gbit / s). Typically, multi-gigabit switches support speeds such as 2.5Gbit / s, 5Gbit / s, and up to 10Gbit / s, making them suitable for networks having high bandwidth requirements, such as modern vehicle networks, data centers, or industrial applications.This embodiment enables the use of a configurable Ethernet plug both in vehicle networks with a transmission rate of up to 100 Mbit / s, which only place comparatively low requirements for example with respect to electromagnetic interference protection, and in vehicle networks with transmission rates of several gigabits per second, which are required for applications with high bandwidth requirements (for example video monitoring, high-resolution cameras, lidar / radar data processing and infotainment systems in vehicles) or for the networking of a very large number of components (control units, sensors, multimedia devices and the like), which however require additional provisions for avoiding electromagnetic interference.Multi-gigabit switches often offer the flexibility to support multiple speed levels (e.g., 1Gbit / s, 2.5Gbit / s, 5Gbit / s, and 10Gbit / s). As a result, the vehicle network can be scaled flexibly depending on the requirements of the connected devices. The proposed embodiment thus improves the scalability and future safety of networking solutions in vehicles.In one embodiment, the BIN module catalog comprises at least one BIN module which does not have a shielding termination and is suitable for connection to an Ethernet cable with a low transmission rate (for example 100 Mbit / s) and low requirements for electromagnetic or electrostatic interference protection. Furthermore, the BIN module catalog comprises at least one BIN module, which has a capacitive-resistive shielding termination between a shielding contact and a power ground, and at least one BIN module, which has a purely capacitive shielding termination between a shielding contact and a digital ground. As a result, Ethernet connectors can be very easily adapted for connection to Ethernet cables with different transmission speeds and different requirements for electrical interference protection.In one embodiment, all BIN modules of the BIN module catalog are pin compatible with all transceiver modules of the transceiver module catalog. As a result, Ethernet connectors can be configured particularly easily and flexibly from the modules of the catalogs.In one embodiment, the BIN module and / or the transceiver module of the Ethernet plug according to the invention are / is configured for an over-the-air (OTA) update, with which the data transmission rate of the Ethernet bus to which the Ethernet plug is to be connected and / or the data transmission rate of the media-dependent interface to which the MAC port (for example the MAC port of a control unit, of a sensor such as a video, lidar or radar camera or an infotainment device) is to be connected can be configured. As a result, terminals (for example infotainment devices of different qualities or generations) and cabling for an Ethernet bus can be configured flexibly and, if required, also subsequently. This reduces manufacturing and service costs and reduces the complexity of vehicle variant-dependent different networking solutions.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows an Ethernet connector for connecting a microcontroller to a 100 Mbit / s Ethernet, FIG. 2 shows an Ethernet connector for connecting a microcontroller to a 1000 Mbit / s Ethernet, and FIG. 3 shows an Ethernet connector for connecting a microcontroller to a multigigabit / s Ethernet.Elements corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals in all drawings.FIG. 1 schematically shows a microcontroller 30 having a media access control (MAC) port 31 and an Ethernet plug 100 in an embodiment configured for 100 Mbit Ethernet. The microcontroller 30 is connected to an Ethernet cable 20 via the Ethernet connector 100, wherein an Ethernet protocol according to a media independent interface (MII) 21 for Fast Ethernet is transmitted between the Ethernet connector 100 and the microcontroller 30.The Ethernet connector 100 comprises a bus Internet Network (BIN) module 110 arranged on the bus side (i.e. facing the Ethernet cable 20) and a transceiver module 120 electrically connected thereto, which is arranged facing the microcontroller 30. On the bus side, the BIN module 110 has a first and second Ethernet pin 111, 112 on which Ethernet signals (i.e. the voltage levels specified according to the physical layer of the OSI layer model) are applied. The transceiver module 120 is arranged between the BIN module 110 and the microcontroller 30.The Ethernet connector 100 is supplied via a supply voltage contact Vbat and a ground contact GND. The ground contact GND is electrically connected to a power ground PGND and to a digital ground DGND. The power ground PGND is the reference point for electrical potentials of the supply voltage Vddx and signals derived therefrom. The digital ground DGND is the reference point for digital electrical signals (small signals). From the supply voltage Vddx provided on the supply voltage contact Vbat, all the transceiver supply voltages Vddx required for the electrical supply of the transceiver module 120 are tapped and / or derived.The BIN module 110 comprises, arranged one after the other in the line routing from the Ethernet pins 111, 112 to the transceiver module 120, an electrostatic protection device (ESD protection device) 115, a common mode terminator 116, a DC voltage decoupling 117 and a common mode choke 118.The electrostatic protection device 115 is arranged between the Ethernet pins 111, 112 and the power ground PGND and is configured for protection against electrostatic discharges (ESD).In the embodiment shown, the common mode terminator 116 is designed as an R-C network, in which the Ethernet pins 111, 112 are connected via a voltage divider, the central contact of which provides the common mode voltage, which is connected to the power ground PGND via an R-C low pass filter.The DC voltage decoupling 117 is designed as a capacitive decoupling, in which a capacitor is arranged between a respective Ethernet pin 111, 112 and a connection of the common mode choke 118.The transceiver module 120 comprises a transceiver 121, which in the present embodiment is designed as a 100BASE-T1 switch. Transceiver 121 is connected to Ethernet pins 111, 112 via common mode choke 118 and capacitive DC decoupling 117. Furthermore, the transceiver 121 is connected via in the present case four lines (preferably designed as two unidirectionally transmitting twisted pair lines) to the MAC port 31 of the microcontroller 30, via which the MII 21 is provided.The transceiver 121 is fed with a clock pulse from a clock pulse generator 122 and is supplied in terms of voltage via a supply voltage filter 123 arranged in each case in accordance with the digital ground DGNDor the supply voltage Vddx. The clock 122 and the supply voltage filters 123 are tuned to the MII 21 provided by the transceiver 121.FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of an Ethernet plug 200 for connection between a 1000 Mbit / s Ethernet provided on the Ethernet cable 20 and the microcontroller 30. in this embodiment the Ethernet plug 200 comprises a BIN module 210 with giga Ethernet pins 211, 212, an ESD protection device 215, a common mode terminator 216, a DC decoupling 217 and a common mode choke 218, and a transceiver module 220 with a transceiver 221, a clock generator 222 and two supply voltage filters 223 in an arrangement which is in principle the same as the already explained embodiment of FIG. 1.In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the Ethernet connector 200 in the present case has a shielding contact 213 on the bus side, which can be connected to a cable shielding of the Ethernet cable 20, which is not shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The shielding contact 213 is connected to the power ground PGND via a shielding termination 214 embodied in the present case as an R-C network in the manner of a low-pass filter. This improves the suppression of electromagnetically imposed interference on the Ethernet signals which are transmitted via the Giga-Ethernet pins 211, 212 and reduces the power loss of the input or output Ethernet signal due to reflection at the line end of the Ethernet cable 20.Transceiver 221 is connected to MAC port 31 of microcontroller 30 via line pairs that provide a gigabit media independent interface (GMII) 22. The GMI 22 may be provided in various variations, including, for example, as a reduced media independent interface (RMII) or as a reduced gigabit media independent interface. Clock 222 and supply voltage filter 223 are tuned to the GMII 22 provided by transceiver 221.In the embodiment shown here, the transceiver 221 is designed as a 1000BASE-T1 switch.FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an Ethernet plug 300 for connection between a multigigabit / s Ethernet provided on the Ethernet cable 20 and the microcontroller 30. in this embodiment the Ethernet plug 300 comprises a BIN module 310 with giga Ethernet pins 311, 312, a shielding contact 313, a shielding termination 314, an ESD protection device 315, a DC decoupling 317 and a common mode choke 318, and a transceiver module 320 with a transceiver 321, a clock generator 322 and two supply voltage filters 323 in an arrangement which is in principle the same as the already explained embodiment of FIG. 2. A terminator for common mode suppression (analogous to the common mode terminators 116, 216 of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively) is not provided here.In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the shielding contact 313 is connected to the digital ground DGND via a shielding termination 314 which is embodied in the present case as a parallel circuit of shielding capacitors (thus purely capacitive). This improves the suppression of electromagnetically imposed interference on the multigigabit Ethernet signals transmitted via the Giga Ethernet pins 311, 312, and reduces the power loss of the coupled-in or coupled-out multigigabit Ethernet signal due to reflection at the line end of the Ethernet cable 20.Transceiver 321 is connected to MAC port 31 of microcontroller 30 via line pairs that provide a multi-gigabit media independent interface (XGMII) 23. The XGMII 23 may be provided in various variations, including but not limited to, for example, a 10-gigabit media independent interface or a serial gigabit media independent interface. Clock 322 and supply voltage filter 323 are tuned to the XGMII 23 provided by transceiver 321.In the embodiment shown here, the transceiver 321 is designed as a multi-gigabit switch.FIGS. 1, 2 to 3 illustrate that with an Ethernet connector 100, 200, 300 of modular construction according to the invention, connections between a microcontroller 30 and an Ethernet bus 20 for different variants of an Ethernet protocol (for example 100 Mbit, 1000 Mbit or multigigabit) can be established particularly easily by adapting the modular Ethernet connector 100, 200, 300 to the respective variant of the Ethernet by selecting the BIN module 110, 210, 310 and / or the transceiver module 120, 220, 320.List of reference characters100, 200, 300 Ethernet plug 110, 210, 310 bus internet network (BIN) module 111, 112 first, second Ethernet pin 211, 212, 311, 312 first, second Giga Ethernet pin 213, 313 shielding contact 214, 314 shielding termination 115, 215, 315 electrostatic protection device (ESD protection device) 116, 216 common mode terminator 117, 217, 317 DC voltage decoupling 118, 218, 318 common mode choke 120, 220, 320 transceiver module 121, 221, 321 transceiver 122, 222, 322 clock generator 123, 223, 323 supply voltage filter 20 Ethernet cable, Ethernet bus 21 media independent interface, media independent interface (MII) 22 media independent interface, Gigabit Media Independent Interface (GMII) 23 Media Independent Interface, Multigigabit Media Independent Interface (XGMII) 30 Microcontroller 31 Media Access Control Port (MAC Port) DGND Digital Ground GND Ground Contact PGND Power-Ground Vbat Supply Voltage Contact Vddx Supply Voltage

Claims

Modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) for connecting a media access control (MAC) port (31) to an Ethernet bus (20) in a vehicle, characterized in that the Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) comprises a bus Internet Network (BIN) module (110, 210, 310) and a transceiver module (120, 220, 320), wherein - the BIN module (110, 210, 310) is configured for mechanical and electrical connection to the Ethernet bus (20), - the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) is configured for signal transmission between the BIN module (110, 210, 310) and the MAC port (31) according to a media-independent interface (21, 22, 23), - wherein depending on the media-independent interface (21, 22, 23), 23) and / or, depending on the data transmission rate of the Ethernet bus (20), the BIN module (110, 210, 310) and the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) are each designed in such a way that the BIN module (110, 210, 310) and the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) are each electrically and mechanically connectable to one another and are configured for integration into the Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300).Modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) according to Claim 1, characterized in that - the BIN module (110, 210, 310) is configured for mechanical and electrical connection to an Ethernet bus (20) having a transmission speed of up to 100 megabits per second, to an Ethernet bus (20) having a transmission speed of between 100 megabits per second to 1000 megabits per second or to an Ethernet bus (20) having a transmission speed of more than 1000 megabits per second, and - the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) is configured for signal transmission between the BIN module (110, 210, 310) and a MAC port (31), wherein at least the transceiver module (120, 220, 320) has a media-independent interface (21, 22, 23) according to a Media Independent Interface (MII) interface specification or, a Media Independent Interface (21, 22, 23) according to a Gigabit Media Independent Interface (GMII) interface specification or a Media Independent Interface (21, 22, 23) according to a Multi Gigabit Media Independent Interface (XGMII) interface specification.Modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transceiver module (120) is designed as a 100BASE-T1 switch or is designed as a 1000BASE-T1 switch or is designed as a multigigabit switch.Modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the BIN module (110) does not have a shielding termination (214, 314) or has a capacitive-resistive shielding termination (214) between a shielding contact (213) and a power ground (PGND) or has a purely capacitive shielding termination (314) between a shielding contact (313) and a digital ground (DGND).Modular Ethernet connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the BIN module (110, 210, 310) is designed to be pin-compatible with the transceiver module (120, 220, 320).

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