With the arrival of new systems and protocols in modern Ethernet-based in-vehicle networks, automotive test and validation engineers are challenged with new and more complex testing approaches than with traditional networks based on CAN or LIN. TC8 defines test processes and supports the establishment of test houses that can perform the ECU tests. Full coverage of the TC8 ECU test specifications is required by OEMs to guarantee interoperability of Automotive Ethernet communication devices. The OPEN Alliance Special Interest Group has launched a comprehensive test plan to verify the correct implementation of several standards and protocols in Automotive Ethernet ECUs, called “OPEN Alliance Automotive Ethernet ECU Test Specification - TC8 ECU and Network Test”. OPEN Alliance, the global standard-setter for Automotive Ethernet, specifies the electrical requirements and test procedures for cables and connectors through the technical committee TC9. Tailored test solution for TC8 ECU test specifications Automotive Ethernet is a key enabler for high data rate applications, as well as for data backbone, connecting different domain controllers. Joint customers such as OEMs, tier1s, tier2s, system integrators and test houses will all benefit from the automotive expertise and global presence of both companies. Rohde & Schwarz offers a unique test solution to cover all the mandatory test cases for the PHY layer based on the company’s R&S RTO oscilloscope and the R&S ZND vector network analyzer, while Spirent complements this solution by adding its unique Automotive C50 test platform to support all protocol layers. The new partnership will mean customers can now have the best of both worlds when it comes to compliance testing and debugging for 100BASE-TBASE-T1.

To meet your needs, Tektronix offers a full line of test solutions for Signal Quality and Compliance.

As members of the OPEN Alliance (One-Pair Ether-Net) Special Interest Group (SIG), both companies have been working closely with the industry and have joined forces to develop tailored solutions to address the challenges that the emerging technologies bring. Testing an automotive Ethernet design often requires an oscilloscope, appropriate probes, a signal source, software and appropriate test fixtures.

Automotive ethernet testing