This keynote provides an overview of the dependability and monitoring capabilities available in multi gigabit Automotive Optical Ethernet, nGBASE AU, as standardized in IEEE 802.3cz. The talk explains how a full duplex optical link over a simple and robust automotive harness, based on fiber optic cables and connectors, can be continuously supervised during operation. It highlights how transceiver implemented monitors, combined with the Physical Header Data side channel defined by IEEE 802.3cz, enable runtime bidirectional status exchange and quantitative link quality reporting between link partners.
