Keysight Technologies, Inc. has officially announced the expansion of its Novus portfolio by introducing Novus mini automotive, which happens to be a quiet small form-factor pluggable (SFP) network test platform that addresses the needs of automotive network engineers as they deploy software defined vehicles (SDV).
According to certain reports, the solution effectively translates to a next generation vehicle interface that includes 10BASE-T1S, and multi-gigabyte BASE-T1 support for 100 megabytes per second, 2.5 gigabits per second (Gbit/s), 5Gbit/s, and 10Gbit/s.
More on the same would reveal how Keysight’s SFP architecture provides a flexible platform to mix and match these speeds for each port, with modules plugging directly into existing cards rather than requiring a separate card, something which most of the current test solutions are understood to mandate.
To understand the significance of such a development, we must also take into account the fact that, as vehicles move to zonal architectures, connected devices become a critical operational component to retain constant communication. Hence, any system failures caused by connectivity and network issues can impact safety and even potentially create life-threatening situations. Having said so, the whole risk in play here can be avoided if engineers thoroughly test the conformance and performance of every system element before deploying them.
“The Novus mini automotive provides real-world validation and automated conformance testing for the next generation of software defined vehicles. Our customers must trust that their products consistently meet quality standards and comply with regulatory requirements to avoid costly fines and penalties. The Novus mini allows us to deliver this confident assurance with a compact, integrated network test solution that can keep pace with constant innovation,” said Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & Security Solutions at Keysight Technologies.
Talk about how Keysight’s Novus mini automotive platform can help in the given context, we begin from its promise to provide a streamlined brand of testing. You see, the solution arrives on the scene with an ability to offer both traffic generation and protocol testing on one platform. Now, thanks to both functions’ presence on a single platform, engineers can optimize the testing process, save time, and simplify workflows without requiring multiple tools. Apart from that, the solution also tends to accelerate troubleshooting and facilitate efficient remediation of issues.
Next up, we must get into the potential for lower costs and simpler wiring. We get to say so because the platform in question is designed to support native automotive interfaces, BASE-T1 and BASE-T1S, that help lower costs and simplify wiring for automotive manufacturers, thus reducing the amount of required cabling and connectors. On top of that, BASE-T1 and BASE-T1S offer a scalable and flexible single-pair Ethernet solution which, on its part, can adapt to different vehicle models and configurations.
These interfaces also support higher data rates compared to traditional automotive communication protocols for faster, more efficient data transmission as vehicles become more connected.
Then, there is the solution’s compact design, which is reinforced by the fact that it features the smallest footprint in the industry with outstanding cost per port, and ultra-quiet, fan-less operation.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in the stated platform’s knowhow in terms of validating layers 2-7 in complex automotive network. Basically, Keysight’s Novus mini automotive platform can be expected to provide comprehensive performance and conformance testing that covers everything from data link and network protocols to transport, session, presentation, and application layers. Beyond that, it further validates the interoperability of disparate components across layers, a necessary component in complex automotive networks where multiple systems must work together in a hassle-free fashion.
Rounding up highlights would be the solution’s pledge to protect networks from unauthorized access. This it will do by supporting full line rate and automated conformance testing for TSN 802.1AS 2011/2020, 802.1Qbv, 802.1Qav, 802.1CB, and 802.1Qci. Markedly enough, the platform actually tests critical timing standards for automotive networking, considering precise timing and synchronization are crucial for the reliable and safe operation of ADAS and autonomous vehicle technologies. As for standards like 802.1Qci, they can help protect networks from unauthorized access and faulty or unsecure devices.
