“The future of the automotive industry is being reshaped around software and networks. The Ethernet ring architecture utilizing AM26 MCUs is an innovative solution that reduces the complexity of zone architectures and significantly improves the efficiency and safety of in-vehicle networks.”

Texas Instruments (TI) held 'TI Embedded Labs 2025' at the Westin Seoul Parnas on the 20th.

At the technology presentation that day, TI Director Park Seong-il presented on the topic of 'Simplifying Zone Architecture by Designing Ethernet Ring Architecture Using AM26 MCU'.

As the automotive industry rapidly changes, the hottest topic in the industry these days is Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) and the zonal architecture for implementing it.

Especially in the SDV era, efficient and secure network design is essential.

Regarding this, Director Park Seong-il said, “Recently, the industry is using the AM26 MCU for Ethernet ring arrays.“Keytecture is attracting attention as a solution that dramatically reduces the complexity of zone architecture,” he said.

Director Park Seong-il said, “The existing domain architecture required multiple MCUs for each function and a complex wiring network,” adding, “This resulted in various problems such as increased vehicle weight, higher costs, and difficulties in maintenance.”

He also said, “Zone architecture aims to solve this problem by dividing the vehicle into physical areas and controlling all functions in each area in an integrated manner,” adding, “On the other hand, high-performance MCUs and efficient networks are essential for area-specific control.”

Regarding this, Director Park Seong-il stated, "The AM26 MCU has a built-in Ethernet switch (CPSW), allowing each zone controller to function as a network router. In an Ethernet ring structure, the central processing unit (CCU) and each zone controller are connected in a ring shape, transmitting data in both directions."

According to Director Park Seong-il, the key advantage of this structure is natural redundancy, as data is transmitted in both directions, so even if one network is down, communication can continue through another route.

Additionally, it can reduce wiring weight by more than 30% compared to the existing star structure, and minimize data transmission delay by utilizing the hardware acceleration function (CPSW) of the AM26 MCU.

Additionally, the network structure has been simplified, enabling rapid response in the event of a failure.

The actual implementation of the AM26 MCU-based Ethernet ring architecture is designed with area-specific controller placement, Ethernet ring network configuration, central processing unit integration, and edge node management.

First, divide the vehicle into 3 to 4 zones, and install a zone controller equipped with an AM26 MCU in each zone. Next, connect each zone controller to an Ethernet ring to allow data to flow in both directions.

Additionally, major systems such as ADAS and IVI are integrated and managed by the CCU, and real-time data is exchanged with each zone controller.

Edge nodes, such as sensors and actuators, are directly connected to the zone controller and efficiently controlled, and utilize the CPSW function to maximize network performance, including packet replication, deduplication, and latency reduction.

Director Park Sung-il stated, "Some automakers are already adopting AM26 MCU-based Ethernet ring architectures, significantly reducing vehicle weight and costs." He added, "This is particularly advantageous for implementing future vehicle services such as over-the-air updates, real-time safety control, and high-performance infotainment. This architecture will become the standard after 2030."