Keysight and KD Partner to Advance Multigigabit Optical Automotive Ethernet Testing with New Signal Analysis Capability
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Keysight Technologies, Inc. and KD, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, have joined forces to develop a comprehensive testing solution for the next generation of automotive Ethernet technology. The focus of this collaboration is to address the growing demands for high-speed, reliable data transmission within vehicles, an essential aspect of modern automotive systems. The two companies have jointly created a Transmitter Distortion Figure of Merit (TDFOM) measurement and signal analysis metric that is pivotal in validating the performance of Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) transmitters. This innovative solution is based on the IEEE 802.3cz standard, a cutting-edge automotive Ethernet protocol.
The increasing complexity of modern vehicles, which today feature over 100 million lines of code, requires robust and high-performing networking solutions. With the rapid growth of infotainment systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and powerful in-vehicle computing platforms, the need for faster and more reliable data transmission has never been greater. To meet these demands, automotive Ethernet technology has been evolving at an unprecedented pace, pushing the limits of existing communication standards and driving the need for more advanced testing solutions.
Automotive Ethernet’s Role in the Evolving Automotive Landscape
As automotive technologies continue to advance, vehicles are becoming increasingly reliant on centralized computing systems, with more software-defined features and greater data sharing capabilities between fewer Engine Control Units (ECUs). This shift necessitates the development of high-speed communication systems that can support a wide range of applications, from safety-critical ADAS functions to data-intensive infotainment systems. Backbone communications links must therefore evolve to accommodate the massive data requirements of modern vehicles, particularly in the multi-gigabit-per-second range.
The emergence of new automotive Ethernet standards, particularly the IEEE 802.3cz standard, has been instrumental in meeting these requirements. Published in 2023, the IEEE 802.3cz standard is the highest data rate multi-gigabit standard developed for automotive Ethernet Partner. It supports data rates up to 50 Gb/s over glass optical fiber, with physical-layer requirements and management parameters for operations at 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Gb/s. This standard is designed to ensure that automotive Ethernet systems can support the next generation of in-vehicle networking platforms, enabling the seamless integration of high-speed data transmission within vehicles.
However, achieving these high-speed data rates over optical fiber is no simple task. The quality of the transmitted optical signal must be meticulously validated to ensure the reliability and performance of the system. This is where the collaboration & Partner between Keysight and KD comes in, offering an advanced testing solution that enables the automotive industry to validate these critical components.
Transmitter Distortion Figure of Merit (TDFOM) – A Revolutionary Approach to Signal Quality Testing
One of the most significant advancements arising from the Partnership between Keysight and KD is the development of the TDFOM measurement and signal analysis metric. This metric represents a crucial tool for evaluating the quality of multigigabit optical signals transmitted over glass optical fiber. The TDFOM measurement is a vital component of the IEEE 802.3cz standard, which outlines the requirements for automotive Ethernet systems.
The TDFOM measurement utilizes a reference receiver designed to model typical integrated circuit (IC) implementation. This ensures that the transmitter’s performance can be assessed in terms of its ability to meet the IEEE 802.3cz standard, Partner which specifies the physical-layer requirements for automotive Ethernet systems. The TDFOM metric is used to validate the transmitter’s signal integrity and interoperability with optical receivers, ensuring that the system will perform reliably under real-world conditions.
In essence, the TDFOM measurement helps ensure that automotive Ethernet transmitters conform to the stringent standards set by the IEEE 802.3cz protocol, ultimately guaranteeing the reliability and performance of optical communications within vehicles. This is a critical step in the development of automotive Ethernet systems that can support the data-intensive demands of modern vehicles.
A Comprehensive Testing Platform for Automotive Ethernet
The combined expertise of Keysight and KD has led to the creation of a powerful testing platform that provides a comprehensive solution for evaluating optical automotive Ethernet systems. This platform integrates KD’s software-based reference receiver and signal metric analysis capabilities with Keysight’s cutting-edge optical-to-electrical converter (O/E) and oscilloscope technology. Together, these tools offer a robust and reliable platform for testing the performance of optical transmitters and receivers.
The platform enables automotive manufacturers and suppliers to evaluate the ability of transmitted optical signals to achieve the required Bit Error Rate (BER) after passing through a worst-case optical channel and a reference receiver. This comprehensive approach ensures that optical automotive Ethernet systems can meet the high standards required for reliable in-vehicle communication.
This collaborative development is the result of both companies’ active participation in the creation of the TDFOM specification during the IEEE 802.3cz standard development. By working together on the specification, Keysight and KD have Partner ensured that their testing platform is fully aligned with the latest industry standards, providing a future-proof solution for the automotive sector.
Expert Insights from Keysight and KD
Rubén Pérez-Aranda, CTO and co-founder of KD, highlighted the significance of the collaboration in advancing the quality assurance of optical communications within the automotive industry. “With this agreement, we make a big step in providing OEMs and Tier-1 companies with the necessary means to test the quality of developments incorporating optical communications according to the IEEE Std 802.3cz. Keysight and KD Partner have collaborated in IEEE 802.3 to define the tests and metrics that ensure the new Ethernet communications standard meets the quality requirements demanded by the automotive industry,” Pérez-Aranda said.
The collaboration is particularly important for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 suppliers, as they seek reliable testing solutions for next-generation automotive Ethernet systems. The joint effort between Keysight and KD Partner Partner aims to provide these companies with the tools they need to validate and optimize optical communications technologies, ensuring that they can meet the stringent requirements of modern in-vehicle networking platforms.
Thomas Goetzel, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Automotive & Energy Solution, echoed Pérez-Aranda’s sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of optical fiber technologies in advancing automotive Ethernet. “Automotive Ethernet technologies have evolved and now derive significant benefits from optical fiber technologies for enabling multigigabit in-vehicle networking. Our innovative test and measurement equipment, combined & Partner with KD’s expertise in optical measurements, aims to assist customers in exploring reliable high-speed links in in-vehicle networking,” Goetzel stated.
Keysight’s test equipment, which includes high-performance oscilloscopes and optical-to-electrical converters, plays a pivotal role in evaluating the quality and performance of automotive Ethernet systems. Together Partner with KD’s advanced software and signal analysis capabilities, the two companies have created a comprehensive testing solution that provides automotive manufacturers with the tools they need to ensure the reliability and performance of their Ethernet systems.
Driving Innovation and Enhancing Interoperability
The collaboration between Keysight and KD represents a significant step forward in the development of automotive Ethernet technologies. By combining KD’s expertise in optical communications with Keysight’s leading-edge testing equipment, the partnership is driving innovation in the automotive sector. The goal is to enhance interoperability across the automotive Ethernet ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of optical communication standards in vehicles.
As the demand for high-speed, reliable data transmission within vehicles continues to grow, the need for advanced testing solutions becomes increasingly critical. The testing platform developed by Keysight and KD offers automotive manufacturers and suppliers the ability to validate their optical Ethernet systems, ensuring that they meet the performance and quality standards required for safe and efficient in-vehicle communication.
