System Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2024 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Ethernet communication network is a high speed communication network providing data transfer speeds of 100Mbps to 1Gbps, to support the on vehicle applications that require high data transfer rates such as over the air updates, driver assistance systems (Video data, radar data, ultrasonic data), multi media systems and connectivity to external devices. The GWM is the primary module within the Ethernet communication network and manages the distribution of data to the other connected modules on the network. Data from external sources (cloud based data) is received by the TCU and transferred over the Ethernet communication network to the GWM where it is distributed to the other modules connected to the Ethernet communication network and the vehicle communication networks. The modules connected to the Ethernet communication network are dependant on the vehicle configuration.

Component Description

Ethernet Network Gateway Module Connector

The Ethernet network connects to the GWM through master connectors. The first generation of the enhanced central gateway module (GWM) has one Ethernet master connector. The second generation is equipped with two. Each master connector is capable of housing 5 Ethernet cable connections. The number of Ethernet network connections on each vehicle is determined by the individual vehicle requirements, not all of the available Ethernet connections will be used. Refer to the system diagram above for details of the Ethernet communication network connections on this vehicle..

Each individual Ethernet cable connects into one of the master connectors, their location within the master connectors is determined by the vehicle program and may not be the same for all vehicle lines. Each individual Ethernet cable has a color coded connector end and each color is aligned to a specific module across all vehicle lines.

The Ethernet cable connector end color assignment is as follows:

Jet Black dedicated for the IPMA - ADAS module
Pure White dedicated for the HUD module
Light Blue dedicated for the TCU
Claret Violet dedicated for the APIM
May Green dedicated for the IPC
Nut Brown dedicated for Diagnostics
Platinum Grey dedicated for the DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) module
Light Pink dedicated for the PCM
Pastel Orange dedicated for the TCU 2
Pastel Green dedicated for the BCM

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Item	Description
1	Enhanced central gateway module (GWM 1)
2	Enhanced central gateway module (GWM 2)

NOTE: The Number of Ethernet master connectors and Ethernet communication circuit connections depicted in the graphic above are for description of capability only and may not represent what the vehicle is equipped with.

Gateway Module

The GWM receives data from the Ethernet network and distributes the data to the receiving modules across all of the vehicle networks.

Ethernet Cable

The Ethernet communication network cables are twisted unshielded jacketed cables connected to form a point to point network.