Automotive Ethernet: Trends, Protocols, and Challenges with Reference to IEEE 1722

The rapid evolution of in-vehicle electronics and the growing demand for high-bandwidth, real-time data exchange have positioned Automotive Ethernet as a cornerstone of next-generation vehicle architectures. Although earlier advancements relied heavily on legacy protocols like CAN, LIN, and FlexRay, they increasingly fall short in supporting the scalability, flexibility, and performance required by modern ADAS, infotainment, and zonal systems. Automotive Ethernet, fortified by IEEE Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards, now enables determin-istic, low-latency communication across multiple vehicular do-mains, fostering convergence of heterogeneous systems onto a unified backbone. The development, important protocols, and current trends in automotive Ethernet deployment are all thoroughly examined in this review. The paper systematically examines critical technology gaps—including challenges in scalability, interoperability, real-time determinism, network complexity, and security—that impact the effectiveness and future readiness of in-vehicle networks. Drawing from current research and standardization efforts, the review proposes robust solutions and strategic directions—such as unified network architectures, advanced TSN scheduling, modular design, and integrated security frameworks—to address these systemic challenges. Specific protocols like IEEE 1722 are discussed as illustrative examples within the broader context. Ultimately, this work offers a holistic perspective on enabling scalable, interoperable, and secure Automotive Ethernet for next-generation vehicles.