Automotive Ethernet is becoming the preferred solution for in-vehicle communications, offering data speeds up to 10Gbps. For data speeds up to 1Gbps (1000BASE-T1), the communication link can run on unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling. However, for speeds of 1Gbps and higher, electromagnetic interference (EMI) becomes increasingly critical and can potentially threaten the integrity of other communications within the vehicle.  

Therefore, the OPEN Alliance TC9 group, which defines the requirements of cables and connectors for in-vehicle networks using automotive Ethernet, is now focusing on shielded cabling in order to minimize emissions, as the industry moves towards much faster speeds. 

Those who integrate in-vehicle networks using cables and connectors will need to ensure compliance with TC9 STP test specifications. Rohde & Schwarz assisted TE compliance tests were performed on STP cables with TE’s MATEnet terminals and connectors using the R&S ZNB vector network analyzer together with the integrated in-situ de-embedding (ISD) function from AtaiTec. 

Now the test benches can reproducibly test the reflection and transmission of these sensor covers over their entire surface at cycle rates of less than ten seconds. 

 The R&S QAR quality automotive radome tester tests the entire radome rather than a few points. It is based on distributed planar arrays of transmit and receive antennas operating in the E band (77 GHz and 79 GHz bands). The system performs spatially resolved reflection measurements, allowing reliable evaluation of radome performance within seconds whilst highlighting material defects.  

The millimeterwave images reproducibly show how much of the radar signal is reflected by the radome and how much is transmitted unhindered through the radome (transmissivity). The system reveals even the smallest inhomogeneity in the material. 

The first test bench with the automotive radome tester contains different type-specific holders for the objects under test (component nests) and two test stations for transmission and reflection reference measurements. The machine is driven by the Löhnert instant scripting RunTime (LisRT V3) software together with a Siemens SPC controller. The radomes can be placed in the test holders either manually or by a robot. The system identifies them by a barcode or a data matrix code (DMC). 

Normalization of the test equipment (self-adjustment to changed operating conditions) is possible directly on the line. The measurement accuracy and function can also be verified directly on the line without reconfiguration. The test bench can be adapted to new radomes and specifications. The test benches are available for automotive radomes up to 200mm in diameter. 

The device can convert the frequency of HTL (high-threshold-logic) signals into a freely scalable analogue measurement variable (current/voltage. With an analogue 16bit resolution, or as a digital measured value via Modbus RTU or RS232, the converted signals can be analyzed further. To increase accuracy a linearization of up to 24 control points can be programmed. 

In addition to quadrature signals with HTL signals, the converter can process the formats RS422, TTL and HTL differential formats, as well as single-channel signals from other measuring systems such as incremental encoders. 

The FU210-28 also has pulse counting mode, which enables conversion of the total flow rate (volume). Linearization can also be programmed in this operating mode. 

The unit has six inputs and outputs. 

The new Anritsu Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A has been integrated with the EMITE E600 Reverberation Chamber to test OTA TRP/TIS performance of Wi-Fi 6 devices in a repeatable environment. With built-in communications protocols and optimized performance for WLAN testing, the MT8862A + EMITE reverberation chamber can characterize with high reliability the performance of the latest devices in the market. 

David Sánchez, CEO of EMITE, says, “We are proud once again to develop a world’s first capability for testing 802.11ax Over-The-Air with the aid of Anritsu’s unique Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A and our E600 Reverberation Chamber WLAN OTA test platform. The unique capabilities of the Anritsu-EMITE WLAN OTA Test Platform cannot be met by competitors, and some of our major customers have already shown extreme interest.” 

The new integration has been able to measure total radiated power (TRP) and total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) OTA performance for IEEE 802.11ax devices. 

The use of WLAN networks is not exclusive to traditional indoor scenarios like homes, offices and airports but can be also found in automobiles. Wi-Fi Bluetooth technology is commonplace in cars used for pairing with a driver’s phone. Wi-Fi 6 will enable communication between other cars (V2V) or between a car and an infrastructure (V2I) using standard IEEE 802.11p, created for inter-vehicle use. Vehicle manufacturers are packing vehicles with the Wi-Fi 6 standard to future-proof models for years to come. 

Hideo. Zuinen, product manager, IoT Test Solutions Div of Anritsu Corporation added, “WLAN OTA performance test demand is recently increasing in order to secure the brand position with high-quality WLAN products. The IEE802.11ax will be a standard WLAN technology in the future from the latest technologies and features viewpoint, and we are also proud to release the OTA test solution collaborated with EMITE’s leading-edge chamber products to the world-wide market.” 

Powered by the ARM Cortex-A9 processor, the MCM-204 is designed as a standalone DAQ device without the need for a host computer, and provides dual Ethernet ports to transmit data back to the backend server and enable daisy-chain connection of multiple devices.  

Commonly used vibration-related indices, such as voltage, FFT, and RMS, can be calculated additionally the MCM-204 offers flexible support for various data access options, providing remote management and firmware/algorithm update through the built-in web console.   

“Conventionally, in order to provide constant machine monitoring, a DAQ system consisting of an embedded host computer and DAQ card are deployed at remote machine sites. However, when remote machines are numerous and spread out geographically, the deployment of DAQ systems at each site becomes prohibitive,” said Tim Juan, director of ADLINK’s IoT solutions and technology. 

“The MCM-204 standalone edge system can be easily integrated at field sites, and perform the task of filtering raw data without the need for a host computer, significantly reducing the required data bandwidth, and ultimately allowing manufacturers and machinery suppliers reduce TCO by up to 70% and improve their ROI.” 

The MCM-204 also features a 24-bit high resolution ADC and captures high-frequency signals at 128kS/s. All channels have a built-in IEPE 4mA excitation current source, eliminating the need for additional signal conditioning to trigger sensors to capture signals. In addition, the MCM-204 can also support digital tachometer, digital temperature sensor, and voltage output load current sensor functions for acquiring rotating speed, temperature and load current of the machine. Furthermore, the unit has rich built-in data type support, including as voltage, FFT data, and RMS_OA.  

To enable a decentralized structure, the ADLINK MCM-204 offers an exclusive Custom Filtering Algorithm import mechanism that allows users to modify filter or pre-processing algorithms in C/C++ and compile under Linux. The MCM-204 provides the ability to migrate domain-knowhow filtering algorithms to the edge in a secure manner.  

Jörg Erens, managing director, says, “The development and production of Sample Handling Equipment for Gas Measurements is a specialty itself, so we decided to explain our products in an interactive way – especially in time where many people are forced to stay home.” 

In the past week the company has uploaded ten product videos describing such things as its emission gas sampling probes, heated pipes and more.  

“We’ve been active on YouTube and LinkedIn for years, but our industry hasn’t always proven to be a first mover in the past. If the current situation now leads to a rethink and thus all possibilities of digitization are used more intensively, this would be a positive effect from this challenging time,” added Jörg. 

In addition to the videos the company is also offering video conferences with customers with the help of Microsoft teams who need further guidance on AGT-PSG product usage. 

Janne Seurujärvi, managing director at Test World, says “This global pandemic is unprecedented and we will comply with official advice for businesses continuing to operate during the COVID-19 outbreak.  

“For the time being, we are able to continue running indoor testing programs safely, with the health and well-being of our staff at the forefront of our minds at all times. We are using our unique facilities to try and keep the industry moving while much of the automotive sector is on pause indefinitely.” 

While under global travel restrictions, Test World can test tires and vehicles without the customer having to visit the proving ground in Ivalo, Finland. Instead Test World can receive products to be tested by freight, which continues to move freely, and send test results in return. 

The human vibration measurement and analysis applet is the seventh applet released under the BK Connect Applet concept. It focuses on the aspects of human vibration from the perspective of occupational health and safety: whole body and hand-arm vibration. 

The applet comes with seven distinct set-ups for different measurements requiring specific types of analysis for calculating the maximum transient vibration value, vibration total value and the vibration dose value.