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TeslaPatent applicationCars & transportInterest 4/10

Tesla patents hardware-only Ethernet link management for vehicles

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Tesla describes a method for managing data connections in Ethernet networks using dedicated hardware instead of software. The system uses a state machine to open, close, and replay network links automatically. This approach aims to handle connection stability without relying on general-purpose processors.

Why it mattersThis could improve the reliability of in-vehicle networking by offloading routine connection tasks from the main computer to specialized hardware.

In the filing’s own words

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating in an Ethernet-based network using a transport layer without assistance of software-controlled mechanisms. In some embodiments, a first node is configured to open and close a link with a second in the Ethernet-based network according to a state machine hardware of the first node. The first node can include a hardware link timer configured to determine whether to replay the link. The first node can include a hardware replay architecture configured to replay the link in hardware only.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A first node for Ethernet based communication, the first node comprising: one or more processors configured to implement a transport layer hardware only Ethernet protocol, wherein the one or more processors are configured to implement a state machine configured to: operate in an open state where a link is open between the first node and a second node; transition from the open state to an intermediate close state; and transition from the intermediate close state to a close state to close the link in response to receiving a close acknowledgement from the second node.

Facts

Company
Tesla (Tesla, Inc.)
Official title
TRANSPORT PROTOCOL FOR ETHERNET
Publication number
US20260332543A1
Application number
19103486
Filed
Aug 17, 2023
Published
Oct 22, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

H04L 49/9015 Electricity & electronicsH04L 49/351 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.