Build flexible and
future-proof vehicle networks

The Ethernet Handler is an orchestration service that runs on the application processor (AP), dynamically managing network conditions based on real-time use cases. This service intelligently configures the Ethernet switch with the appropriate settings to activate advanced network features such as QoS, VLAN segmentation, time synchronization, and address control, without manual intervention.

In addition to real-time configuration, the service provides continuous monitoring, diagnostics, and over-the-air (OTA) update support, enabling smarter and more responsive vehicle networks that evolve throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

Key Features and Benefits

• Context-Aware Configuration
  Automatically adjusts network behavior based on active use cases (e.g., driving mode, infotainment usage, or ADAS activation), ensuring optimal bandwidth, latency, and security settings at all times.
• Continuous Monitoring & Diagnostics
  Provides deep visibility into network performance and health, enabling proactive issue detection and minimizing the need for service center visits.
• OTA-Ready by Design
  Supports remote updates of network configurations and orchestration logic—future-proofing vehicles as new features or compliance requirements emerge.
• Simplifies Vehicle Program Development
  Reduces the need for manual per-vehicle configuration, enabling scalable rollout across multiple models and regions with minimal engineering effort.
  

The In-Vehicle Network Manager’s Core Networking service delivers the foundational capabilities required for modern, software-defined vehicle networks. With support for TSN/AVB, dynamic QoS, precision time synchronization, VLAN segmentation, and address-level communication control, it ensures low-latency, high-reliability connectivity across critical domains. These features empower OEMs to build flexible, high-performance networks that support ADAS, infotainment, and autonomous workloads, while improving security, scalability, and integration speed.

Key Features and Benefits

• TSN/AVB Support

  Real-Time and Deterministic Communication
  Deliver deterministic, low-latency networking for safety-critical and infotainment systems. Built on IEEE 802.1Qav, this feature ensures data is delivered where it needs to go, quickly and predictably.

  • Ideal for ADAS, autonomous functions, and high-fidelity media
  • Boosts system reliability and real-time performance

• Intelligent Quality of Service (QoS)

  Prioritize What Matters Most
  Automatically route high-priority traffic—such as sensor data—while managing bandwidth and preventing congestion through dynamic traffic shaping.

  • Ensures consistent performance for critical features
  • Improves customer experience and minimizes service issues

• Precision Time Sync

  Every Millisecond Counts
  Synchronize ECUs with gPTP and QoS software to maintain precise time alignment. Supports VLAN-based isolation and unicast/multicast PTP configurations.

  • Essential for coordinated control, sensor fusion, and safety systems
  • Speeds up development and reduces integration risks

• VLAN Management

  Smarter Segmentation, Stronger Security
  Easily provision and monitor VLANs to logically isolate traffic across infotainment, drivetrain, and safety domains—minimizing cross-talk and enhancing reliability.

  • Supports secure multi-domain architecture
  • Enables flexible, scalable designs for next-gen vehicles

• Address Lookup Control

  Only the Right Devices Talk
  Enforce strict communication paths with static MAC address configurations. Prevents unauthorized ECU communication and simplifies diagnostics.

  • Strengthens in-vehicle cybersecurity
  • Ensures consistent and predictable inter-ECU communications

Sonatus In-Vehicle Network Manager offers a comprehensive set of diagnostic and debugging tools that give OEM engineers deep visibility into in-vehicle Ethernet networks. From development to post-deployment support, these tools ensure robust operation, rapid issue resolution, and optimized performance, delivering the following benefits.

Key Features and Benefits

• Network Flow Collector
  Analyze real-time network flow data to detect anomalies, optimize traffic patterns, and support forensics after unexpected behaviors.
• Port Mirroring
  Configure static or dynamic mirroring for deep packet inspection—essential for both security analysis and development-time debugging without disrupting live traffic.
• Ethernet Status Monitoring
  Monitor link health, activity, and errors across all switch ports with support for MIB counters (unicast, multicast, broadcast, drops), link flaps, and SQI metrics—enabling early detection of network degradation.
• Ethernet Packet Interceptor
  Capture and inspect specific packets for protocol-level debugging or traffic validation during integration and test phases.
• OBD Authentication
  Secure the On-Board Diagnostics port by enforcing ACL-based access control—only authorized tools and traffic are permitted, minimizing security risks during service access.
• Switch On-Board CLI
  Grant engineers direct command-line access to monitor, configure, and debug switch behavior in real time—ideal for low-level issue resolution and hands-on diagnostics.

Sonatus In-Vehicle Network Manager includes a suite of features that enhance system reliability, support low-power operation, and enable secure, fault-tolerant updates. These capabilities ensure stable performance throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle—from real-time monitoring to safe firmware delivery.

Key Features and Benefits

• PHY Manager
  Monitor and control external Ethernet PHYs, detect health issues, and perform automated resets to maintain link integrity.
  • Improves link stability and uptime
  • Reduces manual recovery during integration and diagnostics

• Switch Health Monitor
  Continuously tracks switch temperature and voltage levels, taking corrective actions and logging OEM-defined faults to prevent hardware failures.
  • Enables early fault detection and safe shutdowns
  • Enhances the durability of in-vehicle networking hardware

• Network Sleep & Wakeup
  Implements Open Alliance TC10 protocol to control Ethernet sleep and wake states based on vehicle power modes—enabling energy efficiency without sacrificing readiness.
  • Reduces power consumption in standby modes
  • Seamlessly reactivates networking when vehicle wakes

• Switch Firmware OTA
  Manages switch flash partitions with redundancy and recovery logic, supporting A/B updates and automated rollback in case of corruption.
  • Enables reliable OTA updates across platforms
  • Prevents bricking and reduces recall risks with built-in failover

The In-Vehicle Network Manager includes a robust suite of network security features to help OEMs protect against cyber threats, ensure compliance with standards like ISO 21434, and maintain operational integrity across all network layers. From preventing storm-based congestion to intrusion detection and secure boot processes, these capabilities safeguard the vehicle network throughout its lifecycle.

Key Features and Benefits

• Storm Control
  Mitigates broadcast, multicast, and unicast storms using hardware-based ingress rate control and credit-based buckets for fine-grained suppression.
  • Prevents network congestion and system slowdowns
  • Maintains stable performance across all domains
• Secure Boot
  Enforces encryption for switch firmware images before and after installation, including backup copies.
  • Ensures only trusted code is executed on startup
  • Protects against tampering and firmware corruption
• DoS Attack Prevention
  Leverages vendor ASICs to detect and block DoS attacks, while logging and monitoring critical counters.
  • Shields networks from overload and malicious disruption
  • Enables proactive mitigation and compliance testing
• Ethernet Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
  Monitors Ethernet traffic for OEM-defined intrusions like bus flooding, replay attacks, reconnaissance, and physical manipulation.
  • Supports ISO 21434 automotive cybersecurity compliance
  • Improves real-time threat visibility and response
• Dynamic ACL Configuration
  Allows engineers to dynamically permit or block specific traffic types during diagnostics or development.
  • Enhances testing flexibility without compromising security
  • Simplifies troubleshooting with precise access control
• Linux Firewall Configuration
  Manages firewall rules for the Linux-based control plane (slow path), ensuring non-switch traffic is secure and compliant.
  • Protects software-based services from unauthorized access
  • Complements hardware-level protections for end-to-end security