Concepts and Evaluation for Next-Generation In-Vehicle-Networking based on Multi-Host PCIe

Gačnik, Luka (author), Žemva, Andrej (mentor), Liu, Richy (comentor)

As vehicles move toward full autonomy, increased sensors and high-performance Electronic Control Units (ECUs) demand high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfers via a common interface. Centralizing in-vehicle ECUs is becoming more common in Electrical and Electronic (E/E) architectures. This approach will likely need a high-speed backbone to connect High-Performance Computing (HPC) units efficiently. This thesis evaluates Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) as a potential solution for the communication in next-generation In-Vehicle Networks (IVNs) backbone. Recent advances—including cabled PCIe solutions and Non-Transparent Bridge (NTB) technology enabling multi-host configurations—support its use in the automotive environment. Multi-host PCIe scenarios were evaluated on a Linux platform using available PCIe and NTB drivers. A PCIe Gen 4.0 Switchtec switch was used in the setup, with Jetson Xavier AGX devices operating as the hosts. Bandwidth and latency were measured against Ethernet performance, and signal integrity was assessed for various copper cable lengths. Experiments achieved a throughput of 14.8 GBps over 1 m of OCuLink cable with a PCIe Gen 4.0 x8 link. Latency measurements using a minimum payload size yielded ≈1000 ns for PCIe Gen 4.0 and ≈4000 ns for 1000BASE-T Ethernet. The maximum cable length achieved at Gen 4.0 was 3 meters. Cabled PCIe in a multi-host configuration shows promise as an IVN backbone. However, PCIe is not yet ready for complete in-vehicle integration. For widespread automotive adoption, a separate standardization addressing cybersecurity and real-time requirements such as Quality of Service (QoS) is necessary.

• Language: English
• Keywords: PCIe, NTB, IVN, multi-host topology, Linux, latency, bandwidth, centralization, automotive
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-170036
• COBISS.SI-ID: 241793539
• Publication date in RUL: 02.07.2025

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Koncepti in vrednotenje omrežnega povezovanja v vozilih naslednje generacije na osnovi večgostiteljske tehnologije PCIe

Abstract

Težnja k popolno avtonomni vožnji ima za posledico vse več senzorjev in visokozmogljivihelektronskih krmilnih enot (ECU) za prenos podatkov z visoko pasovno širino in nizkozakasnitvijo prek skupnega vmesnika. Centralizacija ECU-jev v vozilu postaja vse bolj pogosta v električnih in elektronskih (E/E) arhitekturah. Ta pristop bo potreboval visokohitrostno hrbtenično arhitekturo za učinkovito povezavo visokozmogljivih računalniških enot (HPC). Ovrednotite tehnologijo Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) kot možno rešitev za komunikacijo v hrbteničnem omrežju v vozilih naslednje generacije. Opišite najpomembnejše značilnosti tehnologije PCIe in njenih protokolnih plasti. Vzpostavite okolje PCIe z več gostitelji in predstavite praktične nastavitve, uporabljene za njegovo oceno. Kritično analizirajte eksperimentalne rezultate in ocenite primernost tehnologije PCIe za popolno integracijo v vozilih.

• Keywords: PCIe, NTB, IVN, večgostiteljska topologija, Linux, zakasnitve, pasovna širina, centralizacija, avtomobilska industrija