Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has announced new automotive Ethernet receiver compliance test solutions during the Automotive Ethernet Congress (AEC) held in Germany. These advanced solutions are designed to facilitate the transition to high-speed zonal architecture in vehicles, addressing the growing demand for software-defined automotive platforms.

1. Revolutionizing Automotive Testing

In an era where vehicles are becoming more data-driven and reliant on software, Keysight Technologies is at the forefront of innovation. The company demonstrated its latest automotive Ethernet receiver compliance test solutions at the AEC, showcasing products that enable automakers and their suppliers to validate Ethernet architectures ranging from 10BASE-T1S to 10GBASE-T1.

As automotive technology evolves, the necessity for robust Ethernet communication becomes paramount. Keysight’s new solutions are crucial for ensuring reliability and safety in next-generation automotive platforms, particularly as vehicle architectures continue to transition toward more software-defined models.

2. New Testing Solutions on Display

10BASE-T1S Receiver Test Solution

Keysight is unveiling its 10BASE-T1S Receiver Test Solution, developed in collaboration with BitifEye Digital Test Solutions GmbH. This innovative solution is tailored for emerging multi-drop 10BASE-T1S Ethernet architectures, which are vital for zonal and edge-controller applications. Key features include:

Automated Compliance Testing: The solution utilizes comprehensive automated receiver compliance test software that validates PHY compliance according to the Open Alliance TC14 PMA Test Suite 5.2.1 specification.

Channel Impairment Testing: It provides receiver Bit Error Rate (BER) verification under impaired channel conditions, facilitated by a new 10BASE-T1S media converter, ringing board, and MDI adapters.

Multi-Drop Network Capabilities: This allows for the validation of scalable zonal architectures, making it a versatile tool for modern automotive networks.

nGBASE-AU Optical Automotive Ethernet Test Solution

Additionally, Keysight is showcasing its nGBASE-AU optical physical-layer testbed, engineered to meet the increasing demands for bandwidth, electromagnetic interference (EMI) resilience, and long-reach communication needs within in-vehicle networks. Notable features include:

Standards Compliance: Full compliance with IEEE 802.3cz Amendment 7, 2023, and Open Alliance TC7 test house specifications ensures that the solution meets industry standards.

TDFOM Measurement Suite: This advanced suite includes measurements for TDFOM OMA, Extinction Ratio (ER), Average Output Power (AOP), and Optical Return (OAR) for enhanced signal quality assessment.

Supported Equipment: The solution is compatible with Keysight DCA-M models N1092A and N1092C, featuring clock recovery through the Keysight N1077B.

User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive test automation interface on FlexDCA allows for both conformant and developer test configurations, streamlining the testing process.

3. Industry Insights

Thomas Goetzl, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight's Automotive & Energy Solutions, emphasized the critical nature of high-speed Ethernet communication in today’s automotive landscape. "As vehicle architectures become more software-driven and data-intensive, the need for resilient, high-speed Ethernet communication is more critical than ever," he stated. Goetzl further asserted that the introduction of these testing solutions equips the automotive industry with essential tools to foster innovation and ensure robust, standards-compliant performance.

4. Conclusion

Keysight Technologies continues to lead the charge in automotive innovation, providing essential tools for the evolving demands of in-vehicle networks. With its new offerings showcased at AEC, the company is poised to empower automakers and suppliers in their transition to high-speed, software-defined vehicles.

Attendees of the Automotive Ethernet Congress can explore these groundbreaking solutions and engage with Keysight’s experts at booth B-07 throughout the event.

Original press release