This article is structured in three segments:
Coax Cables – Scenario and Applications
We begin by exploring data transmission via coaxial cables, now a mainstay in automotive applications due to the growing integration of cameras and advanced sensors in modern vehicles. To address these evolving needs, GG continually expands its coaxial cable portfolio, focusing on products engineered for both mechanical resilience and high-performance data transmission.
We will also highlight innovations enabling operation at temperatures up to 125°C, unlocking new possibilities for automotive designs.
Scenario of Ethernet Cables Speeds (STP & UTP)
Next, we examine the future of differential pair applications, emphasizing the demand for higher Ethernet data rates (Gbps) in the next generation of shielded twisted pair (STP) cables. A key focus is backward compatibility, ensuring new cable technologies maintain established connector dimensions while supporting higher frequencies and data rates.
We will also discuss the rise of new standards in unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, which are paving the way for Ethernet to replace legacy protocols such as CAN and LIN, enabling a fully compatible Ethernet network for both high and low data rates within vehicles.
Solutions for Long Vehicles
Finally, we address the unique requirements of commercial vehicles, which increasingly demand long-link solutions supporting data rates up to 2 Gbps and cable lengths up to 40 meters. These advancements present significant technological challenges, particularly in terms of signal integrity and standardization, which the industry must overcome to realize robust, future-ready connectivity.
Coax Cables – Scenario and Applications
Modern automotive coaxial link segments are engineered for high data rate transmission and robust mechanical resilience against bending and torsion stresses. Common contemporary applications include infotainment systems, GPS, radio, telematics, front sensors, gateways and cameras.
Notably, devices such as cameras installed in tailgates, adjustable mirrors or doors require both exceptional data transmission capabilities in the Gbps range and superior mechanical durability. Optimal connection performance is achieved by integrating CoSpeed® 5031 and CoSpeed® 5174 cables (commonly referred to as CX031 and CX174 under ISO 19642-11 standards) within the same link segment.
The CoSpeed® 5031 cable is intended for high-speed data transmission over extended vehicle distances, while the CoSpeed® 5174 cable is specifically designed for extreme bending and torsion resistance, often described as “HiFlex” application. Both GG cables are certified according to major automotive standards (including ISO and ASA) and are utilized in numerous designs by leading car manufacturers worldwide.
The combination of these two cables forms the foundation of emerging platforms currently in development, such as Ethernet and SERDES over coaxial architectures.
Automotive coaxial cables are classified based on mechanical durability, data rates and signal loss. The HiFlex category, designed for flexibility under bending and torsion, is led by the CoSpeed® 5174, while static applications use options like CoSpeed® 5031 and 5044 (CX44). There is a trade-off: greater flexibility in cable design reduces data rates and increases signal losses.
Notably, the new CoSpeed® 5031/6 addresses the need for both high resilience and performance in HiFlex applications. The CoSpeed® 5031/6 builds on all the features of the original CoSpeed® 5031, adding improved mechanical resilience. This enhancement offers engineers greater flexibility in their designs.
For example, it allows for scaling up electronic applications like tailgate camera modules, which are typically used in standard cars, to larger vehicles. A longer vehicle requires a longer link, increasing data transmission losses. By replacing the CoSpeed® 5174 in the moving section with the new CoSpeed® 5031/6, link losses can be reduced to levels comparable to those of a regular-sized vehicle.
This advancement makes it possible to upscale applications like camera modules for larger vehicles, simplifying component portfolios, reducing development time and achieving economies of scale.
Power Over Coax
Coaxial cables in cars can transmit both power and data, known as Power over Coax (PoC), by applying voltage to the cable’s inner conductor or shield.
While standard coaxial cables function in environments up to 105°C with only data transmission, adding power causes additional heat that can exceed this limit. Therefore, for PoC systems to operate reliably, cables must tolerate temperatures higher than those currently supported.
New versions of the CoSpeed® 5031 and CoSpeed® 5174 can handle temperatures up to 125°C, enabling PoC systems with Tmax = 105°C to perform optimally. At 105°C, the CoSpeed® 5174 (125°C) can deliver over 3 Amps, while the CoSpeed® 5031 (125°C) transmits nearly twice as much energy for larger modules.
Coaxial cables rated for 125°C allow greater power transmission and PoC helps reduce system complexity, weight and cabling.
Scenario of Ethernet Cables Speeds (STP & UTP)
Ethernet connectivity has surged in recent decades, enabling modern automotive applications such as rear and front cameras, infotainment systems, data gateways and lane detection, among others.
Typically, Ethernet connections utilize differential pairs. Data is transmitted through cables featuring a pair geometry, commonly referred to as twisted pairs. GG’s twisted pair solutions are branded as “GG 2Speed®”.
To meet the demands of today’s high-speed data transmission, often in the Gbps range, shielded twisted pair cables (STP) are essential. The 2Speed® 251 stands out as the leading Ethernet cable. Thanks to its exceptional performance, it is widely adopted for a variety of data transmission protocols. It also serves as the foundation for the next generation of cables, which will support data rates of 25 Gbps (2Speed® 25X) and, in its third generation, 50 Gbps (2Speed® 35X).
The 2Speed® 251 is fully compatible with all major automotive connectors available on the market. The integration of standards and connectors with the 2Speed® 251 creates a cohesive connectivity ecosystem within the automotive sector.
This robust ecosystem accelerates development timelines, streamlines and standardizes the bill of materials and drives cost reductions for OEMs and end users alike.
The upcoming higher data-rate variants of the 2Speed® 251 are being designed with the same philosophy of backward compatibility. The new cables will retain identical dimensions and connector compatibility, ensuring seamless integration within the existing ecosystem. This approach maintains a standardized bill of materials, enables rapid development and amplifies future cost savings while delivering state-of-the-art data transmission performance.
Solutions for Long Vehicles
GG’s TruckSpeed® and FarmSpeed® are new products meant to address the unique requirements of commercial vehicle applications, where long-link solutions functioning at distances up to 40 m and supporting data rates up to 2 Gbps are needed.
Significant technological challenges arise in terms of signal integrity due to the link lengths involved. This challenge is addressed by applying a thicker metal core for data transmission combined with superior dielectric materials to reduce link losses.
GG 2Speed® 231 (0.35 mm²) and 2Speed® 234 (0.50 mm²) are robust, future-ready connectivity solution STP cables for large link lengths. These cables offer data transmission up to 2 Gbps.
Power transmission is also challenging in these applications because many systems must be powered in parallel. Power transmission over the data lines is not an option; thicker copper conductors are needed to transmit the required energy.
The solution is cable hybridization, combining data and power transmission within the same cable bundle. The TruckSpeed® and FarmSpeed® families meet the demanding requirements of commercial vehicle applications, including harsh environmental conditions.
They reduce application complexity due to their versatility and compatibility, allowing various functions to be packed into one cable compatible with new connector variants.
Lack of proper standardization remains a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of high-speed automotive data transmission solutions, particularly for long-distance channels in commercial vehicles.
Currently, the only established standard for 40 m channel transmission is IEEE802.3bp Type B, supporting frequencies up to 600 MHz and data rates up to 1 Gbps.
For shorter cable lengths, the OA MultiBase T1 standard offers a more advanced specification, supporting frequencies up to 4 GHz for 10GBASE-T1 Ethernet. This enables much higher data rates and bandwidth, meeting the requirements for modern vehicle architectures that integrate high-performance cameras, sensors and infotainment systems.
The gap between the capabilities of standards for short and long cable runs underscores the need for harmonized specifications that address both scenarios.
Establishing comprehensive standards for all cable lengths and data rates would facilitate interoperability, simplify development and ensure reliable performance across the entire commercial vehicle ecosystem.
Conclusions
The evolution of automotive data transmission is being driven by innovations such as the CoSpeed® 5031/6 HiFlex Cable, which provides the dual benefits of extended link lengths, high data rates and enhanced mechanical resilience.
Higher operational temperature capabilities of coaxial cables are also enabling increased Power over Coax (PoC) energy transmission, reducing complexity, cabling needs and weight.
Regarding data transmission over differential pairs, new STP generations based on 2Speed® 251 are pushing data rates further and supporting bandwidth-intensive applications for future electronics generations.
Backward compatibility remains a cornerstone of the ecosystem, ensuring integration for future cable generations.
Advanced UTP technologies, such as 2Speed® 113 and 2Speed® 132, enable seamless integration of high- and low-data-rate Ethernet networks in vehicles using standards such as OA 10BASE-T1S and SAE J3117/4, moving toward a unified vehicle Ethernet network and replacing legacy protocols.
The 2Speed® 234 and 2Speed® 231 solutions are purpose-built to accommodate extended link lengths in commercial environments.
Additionally, hybrid approaches such as TruckSpeed® and FarmSpeed® optimize cabling infrastructure by facilitating the concurrent transmission of data and power over a single cable.
Nevertheless, the absence of comprehensive standardization remains an obstacle for integration. The establishment of unified standards for differential pair technologies across all cable lengths and data rates will be essential for guaranteeing interoperability, minimizing system complexity and advancing the seamless adoption of high-performance technologies within commercial vehicles.
