RF calibration and verification testing automates V2X chipset production

Keysight Technologies’ PathWave Test Executive for Manufacturing Developer Version now supports automated RF calibration and verification testing for the Autotalk cellular vehicle to everything (LTE V2X) and dedicated short range communications (DSRC) chipsets. The chipsets are typically used in telematics control units which are embedded onboard systems that control wireless tracking, diagnostics and communication to and from a connected vehicle.

New vehicles are being equipped with multiple wireless systems which can present increased testing complexity and more complicated, expensive and time-consuming test and validation procedures. Telematics in particular, are required to interface with dozens of network technologies and communications protocols, said Keysight.

Off-the-shelf support for Autotalks chipsets automates complex calibration and verification testing to accelerate time to market, said the company. The software based test supports industry-leading chipsets, including 5G V2X, LTE V2X and DSRC communication chipsets. It also accelerates complex testing scenarios with automated control of Autotalks chipset and Keysight test instruments used as a standard test solution for a production line.

It also reduces deployment time and costs because the off the shelf test software does not require manufacturers to develop or maintain costly custom testing software or have deep wireless / radio frequency expertise for its development and use, explained Keysight Technologies.

The testing software runs on the Keysight E6640A wireless test set and is automated by the KS8328A PathWave Test Executive for Manufacturing Developer Version.

Amos Freund, vice president of R&D at Autotalks, said: “This collaboration with Keysight Technologies gives our mutual customers access to a turnkey calibration and verification solution, instead of going through the costly internal development process. Keysight implemented and automated Autotalks’ calibration guidelines and optimised it for performance utilising Keysight’s equipment capabilities.”

Thomas Goetzl, vice president and general manager of Keysight’s Automotive and Energy Solutions, said: “This solution . . . abstracts the complexity of RF calibration and verification of chipsets into a simple and easy-to-use test sequence”. 

Keysight Technologies delivers design, emulation and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. It serves customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defence, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets.

http://www.keysight.com

> Read More

Green Hills Software supports Imagination’s RISC-V CPUs 

At AutoTech Detroit this week, Imagination Technologies will be demonstrating Green Hills’ µ-velOSity running on its RISC-V CPUs’ RISC-V Catapult CPUs. The two companies have announced a partnership in which Green Hills’ µ-velOSity RTOS will support Imagination Technologies’ CPUs to accelerate real-time safety and security in automotive and industrial designs.

This partnership will extend support to Imagination’s Catapult CPU family roadmap in the future, confirmed the two companies. 

The µ-velOSity RTOS is the smallest of Green Hills Software’s family of real time operating systems. It has been updated and optimised to support the RISC-V architecture and has been certified to meet industry standards for functional safety and security. It offers seamless integration with the safety-certified Green Hills MULTI integrated development environment (IDE) and C/C++ compilers, in order to make it easy for developers to learn and use to create high performance, small footprint designs for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Imagination and are thrilled to extend our support to the company’s RISC-V CPUs,” said Dan Mender, vice president of business development at Green Hills Software. “The adoption of the RISC-V instruction set architecture is increasing rapidly in countless markets, particularly in IoT, industrial, and embedded applications. By using Imagination’s Catapult family and our µ-velOSity RTOS, advanced debugger and optimising C/C++ compilers, customers can efficiently create and confidently deploy safety- and security-critical RISC-V applications,” he added.

Catapult is Imagination’s RISC-V product line designed from the ground up for deployment and is configurable for use in a variety of markets, said the company.

Imagination’s RISC-V real-time CPUs can be integrated into complex SoCs for applications as wide ranging as networking, packet management, storage controllers and sensor management for AI cameras and smart metering. The company also provides GPU and AI accelerator IP and confirmed it will be expanding its RISC-V CPU product line with more applications-focused solutions in the future. All Imagination GPUs are compatible with RISC-V SoCs.

Imagination will be demonstrating Green Hills’ µ-velOSity running on Imagination’s RISC-V CPUs at AutoTech Detroit (7 to 8 June) at Booth 827. 

https://www.imaginationtech.com

> Read More

Infineon adds support for AutoSAR v4.4.0 to Aurix software

Support for AutoSARv4.4.0 extend the Aurix TC3xx MCAL support already available from Infineon Technologies. This expansion adds ASIL D and SIL-2 compliant drivers to support AUTOSARv4.4.0.

For ASIL D applications, the MC-ISAR TC3xx roadmap has been updated to also provide ASIL D compliant drivers. With the upcoming Maintenance Release 2.25.0, the driver will include ASIL D compliant software products. Support for IEC 61508 SIL-2 will be provided with Release 2.30.0. The latest release aims at AutoSAR applications in all automotive domains, including engine, chassis, safety, and body. It also applies to commercial agricultural vehicles (CAV), industrial and marine applications, Infineon noted.

According to the company, the biggest advantage of the MC-ISAR AS440 EXT TC3xx is its support for the latest standards, eliminating the need for additional drivers for ASIL D argumentation. It facilitates software partitioning and provides more flexibility by allowing the driver to run in an ASIL D domain, simplifying system-level security argumentation. Developers can therefore work with a production-ready driver with a qualification and safety certification that is ASIL D compliant, helping to avoid systematic failures. In addition, the driver offers ISO 21434 support for continuous monitoring. 

Infineon’s partners further assist developers with additional services and support.

The listed AutoSARv4.4.0 MCAL software packages is provided with MC-ISAR Basic drivers enabled (MCU,DIO, ICU, GPT, PWM , SPI , ADC, WDG, OCU, FLS, FEE, CAN, CanTrcv, LIN, BFX, CRC).

Another driver is the MC-ISAR Com Enhanced (FlexRay, Ethernet). Infineon also provides the MC-ISAR MCD MCAL complex driver – 11 complex drivers in addition to the standard AutoSAR drivers (DMA, FLSloader, UART, DS-ADC, SMU Safety Management Unit, DEMOCD: HSSL, SENT, I²C, IOM I/O Monitoring, STM System Timer, IRQ Interrupt Request).

In addition, the software packages include important features like AutoSAR BFX and CRC library, ASPICE L2, ASIL D process for FFI, MISRA 2012 change 1 (CERT-C) compliance (AUTOSARv4.4.0), and ISO 21434 support for continuous monitoring.

The key ASIL D compliant drivers with IEC 61508 SIL-2 support will be available from mid-2023. 

http://www.infineon.com

> Read More

Lidar target simulator extends Keysight’s autonomous driving test portfolio 

Automated testing software provides insightful analytics to improve sensor design and performance, said Keysight Technologies. The company has expanded its portfolio of autonomous driving validation test products with the E8717A lidar target simulator (LTS), which enables automakers and lidar sensor makers to test and validate lidar sensors for autonomous vehicles (AVs).

Initially developed for use in meteorology and topography, lidar is now being adopted as an automotive sensing technology that enables AVs to “see” and safely navigate through complex driving scenarios. Lidar sensor makers must ensure advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) quickly and reliably detect objects. To properly test sensors, designers currently need large floor spaces and use traditional target boards. There is also industrial pressures to reduce sensor cost and scale to mass production, said Keysight.

The Keysight LTS addresses these challenges by simulating test targets at defined distances and reflectivity with a compact and standardised bench setup. It is designed to simplify and accelerate the testing, validation and production of automotive lidar sensors through standardisation and automation.

The compact bench setup saves test floor space by simulating target distances from three to 300 metres and simulating surface reflectivity from 10 to 94 per cent.

The testing software generates insightful analytics by sweeping target distance and reflectivity. This enables the design and performance of sensors to be improved, said Keysight.

The LTS test setup is fully automated using a cobot and powered by Keysight PathWave Test Executive for Manufacturing for test automation. The cobot provides precise device movement for field of view testing and the automation software accelerates testing and throughput to support volume production.

According to Thomas Goetzl, vice president and general manager for Keysight’s Automotive and Energy Solutions, this is the first cobot-assisted lidar target simulator with variable distance and reflectivity simulation available and enables the company to “support a volume roll out of lidar with a scalable manufacturing test solution.”

Keysight will demonstrate the E8717A LTS at Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany (13 to 15 June) Hall 10-1332.

http://www.keysight.com

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration