As the “nerve center” connecting various electronic systems in vehicles, automotive communication chips must ensure high-speed transmission of massive data while guaranteeing zero-latency processing of critical information, laying the foundation for a safe and efficient intelligent driving experience.

Editor / Rongge

In the wave of automotive intelligence and connectivity, automotive communication chips have become the core driving force behind the transformation of the automotive industry. With the popularization of advanced technologies such as autonomous driving and intelligent cockpits, traditionalCAN buses can no longer meet the real-time transmission requirements of massive data, while automotive Ethernet, with its advantages of high bandwidth and low latency, has become the preferred choice for the next-generation backbone network. As the “nerve center” connecting various electronic systems in vehicles, automotive communication chips must ensure high-speed transmission of massive data while guaranteeing zero-latency processing of critical information, laying the foundation for a safe and efficient intelligent driving experience.

It is predicted that in the future, the number of Ethernet ports in smart vehicles will exceed100 by2025, and the number of automotive Ethernet physical layer chips in China will exceed290 million, attracting many companies to layout in this vast market.

At the China Chip Exhibition during the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, over 150 member units showcased more than 1200 domestic automotive chips, among which the self-developed automotive-grade switch chip from Neuron Company——KD6610 series attracted significant attention, including 9-port (KD6610-9), 7-port (KD6610-7), and 5-port (KD6610-5) models, showcasing the breakthrough progress of domestic chips in the automotive networking field.

Part 1

Innovative Automotive-Grade TSN Chip Fills Industry Gap

The KD6610 series chips strictly adhere to the AEC-Q100 automotive-grade certification standards, meaning they can operate stably in extremely harsh environments. Whether in the frigid polar regions or the scorching deserts, these chips ensure normal communication of automotive electronic systems. Their excellent electromagnetic interference resistance, low power consumption, and high stability meet the demands of various scenarios such as intelligent driving, in-vehicle infotainment, and body control.

Among them,KD6610-P9 targets high-level intelligent driving systems, supporting 9 port gigabit Ethernet switching, providing ultra-low latency and precise time synchronization capabilities, ensuring efficient operation of intelligent driving;KD6610-P7 is suitable for intelligent cockpit domain controllers, integrating safety isolation functions to effectively ensure secure data interaction among multiple systems, enhancing the safety and stability of the intelligent cockpit;KD6610-P5 focuses on vehicle body electronic architecture, aiding the intelligent upgrade of traditional models with high cost-performance, promoting the automotive industry’s transition to intelligence.

In addition, this series of chips, compared to similar chips such as Marvell5050, NXP1110, has 2.5GB and 5GB high computing power ports, while supporting 802.1AS gPTP and IEEE1588, 802.1CB, 802.1Qci, 802.1Qbv and other protocols, meeting the rapid development of autonomous driving domain control, providing support for the high-speed development of automotive manufacturing from the chip level. Notably,KD6610 has achieved full-process localization in design, tape-out, packaging, etc., filling the market gap for domestic automotive-grade TSN chips.

TSN is a key technology for achieving high reliability and low latency in automotive network communication, profoundly changing the landscape of automotive communication. By introducing precise time synchronization and traffic scheduling mechanisms, it achieves accurate control and management of network traffic, ensuring real-time transmission of critical information such as autonomous driving sensor data and braking commands, avoiding accident risks caused by network congestion. Neuron Company has actively increased R&D investment in TSN technology, releasing the first domestic TSN switching chip KD6530 in 2020, widely used in high-speed rail, aircraft, and other fields. These technological accumulations will benefit automotive scenarios, helping to better meet the needs for real-time accurate data transmission and reducing latency, ensuring vehicle safety.

Currently, the penetration rate of domestic automotive-grade chips is only 10%-20%, but policy promotion and supply chain security needs have brought opportunities for local enterprises. Tariff and sanction risks are forcing OEMs to seek domestic alternatives, and the demand for high computing power and high bandwidth chips in smart vehicles is surging, providing a track for innovative companies. Neuron’s general manager Xue Baihua stated: “We have created our own international standard AUTBUS, and we are also the first domestic company to achieve mass production of TSN chips. Although there is still a gap with international giants, our fully controllable process allows us to respond quickly to market demands.”

Part 2

Dual-Engine Drive: The Rise and Outlook of Industry Newcomers

Since its establishment in 2016, Neuron Company has focused on the R&D and innovation of automotive communication chips. The company has gathered a group of top talents from the semiconductor and communication fields, rapidly emerging in the automotive chip sector due to its strong technical accumulation and keen market insight. Its major R&D achievement, the KD6630 chip, as the first fully controllable switch chip in China, began development as early as 2019 and completed 1 million kilometers of road testing on 50 BAIC Arcfox vehicles in 2022, demonstrating the company’s strong technical strength and innovation capability.

“The core competitiveness of the company lies in technological innovation and self-control.” Xue Baihua stated. In terms of technological innovation, Neuron has created the international standard AUTBUS and promoted it in the automotive field, taking the lead in conducting TSN technology research, achieving remarkable results in the network switching field. In terms of self-control, its chips are fully self-sufficient from design to production, breaking free from dependence on foreign technology, providing strong support for the safety of the national automotive industry. The application of the company’s products not only enhances the intelligence level of vehicles but also reduces procurement costs for OEMs, promoting cost reduction and efficiency improvement in the automotive industry.

Despite significant achievements, Neuron Company also faces challenges. In international competition, high-end models still rely on chips from international giants, and there are still gaps in technical details and some key technologies compared to international giants, necessitating strengthening of technical accumulation and solidifying IP foundations. According to Xue Baihua, Neuron plans to achieve comprehensive coverage of automotive-grade Ethernet chips within two years, continuously increasing R&D investment, expanding product application areas, and strengthening cooperation with OEMs and component manufacturers to jointly build a complete automotive chip ecosystem. Although challenges remain ahead, its “domestic substitution + technological innovation” dual-engine drive is expected to write a more brilliant chapter in the era of smart vehicles, making greater contributions to the development of the domestic automotive-grade chip industry.

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