IoT solutions provider Quectel Wireless Solutions and Rohde & Schwarz have successfully validated Quectel’s 5G eCall module, part of its AG56xN series of automotive modules. For the test, the R&S CMX500 wideband radio communication tester was used.
eCall, the automatic emergency call system for vehicles sold in the European Union (EU), was introduced in 2015 and has been a mandatory requirement for all new cars in the EU since 2018. eCall systems currently use 2G/3G circuit-switched cellular networks. As these networks will be phased out in just a few years, emergency call systems (in-vehicle systems and infrastructure) will be adapted to the newest 4G/5G packet-switched cellular networks.
The automotive industry will need NGeCall test solutions to deliver eCall modules that include the new NGeCall functions.
The AG56xN series uses a MediaTek MT2735 chipset so the modules can support 5G Rel-15, and they deliver data rates of up to 4.0Gbps downlink and 480Mbps uplink within a 200MHz bandwidth.
The modules are also equipped with an array of interfaces, including cellular (4 × 4 MIMO) and GNSS antenna interfaces, USB 3.0, PCIe (Gen3), RGMII, SGMII, multiple UARTs, SPI, I2C, I2S (PCM), SDIO, ADCs and GPIOs. They are also compatible with automotive-grade wi-fi and Bluetooth modules.
The test setup for the 5G/LTE automotive module included the R&S CMX500 communication tester along with the R&S CMX-KA098 5G eCall test option simulating a NG eCall Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and an R&S SMBV100B vector signal generator for GNSS simulation.
The test, according to the companies, confirmed a successful establishment of an 5G emergency call between the Quectel module and the PSAP. The transmission of the minimum set of data (MSD) was successfully achieved without any data loss and the simulated GNSS position was accurately transmitted. Additionally, voice communication was established with clear audio quality.
The R&S CMX500 with the R&S CMX-KA098 software option can be effectively used for NGeCall testing under reliable and configurable 5G network conditions, the companies say.
Juergen Meyer, vice president of market segment automotive at Rohde & Schwarz, said, “This is an important milestone in the rollout of the next-generation eCall system, which will have a significant impact on road safety. With our test equipment and Quectel’s 5G eCall module we successfully established an entire eCall process and verified this new key feature.”
The test setup was shown last week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
