Keysight Launches WOW Cargo AE6980T Optical Automotive Ethernet Test Solution for Next-Generation Vehicles
Keysight Technologies, Inc.has unveiled the AE6980T nGBASE-AU Optical Automotive Ethernet Transmitter Test Solution, the industry’s first platform specifically designed to qualify next-generation optical automotive Ethernet PHYs in full compliance with the IEEE 802.3cz standard. The announcement was made during the 2025 IEEE SA Ethernet & IP @ Automotive Technology Day held in Toulouse, France, where Keysight highlighted the transformative potential of optical automotive Ethernet in next-generation mobility.
The IEEE 802.3cz standard addresses the growing demand for robust multi-gigabit optical automotive Ethernet, covering data rates from 2.5G to 50G over multimode fiber. By enabling low-latency, electromagnetic interference (EMI)-immune connections with high bandwidth and lighter cabling, the standard lays a solid foundation for the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). As automotive technology evolves, reliable high-speed connectivity has become a critical enabler for the adoption of centralized zonal architectures, autonomous driving capabilities, and future mobility solutions.
Optical automotive Ethernet represents a significant evolution in in-vehicle networking, offering the combination of high-speed performance, signal robustness, and efficiency that legacy copper-based networks cannot match. For automakers transitioning to centralized network architectures, optical links are increasingly viewed as essential to meeting the demanding requirements of next-generation vehicles, including high data throughput, flexibility, and reliable operation under harsh automotive conditions. The AE6980T test solution addresses these challenges by providing an advanced, precise platform to validate optical PHY performance against industry standards.
Advanced Measurement Capabilities and Platform Integration
The AE6980T is built upon Keysight’s proven FlexDCA platform, integrating a sophisticated Transmitter Distortion Figure of Merit (TDFOM)-assisted measurement suite. TDFOM is a key metric for assessing optical signal quality, enabling predictive analysis of real-world performance and detailed insights into signal integrity. By evaluating parameters such as optical modulation amplitude (OMA), extinction ratio (ER), average optical power (AOP), and optical amplitude ratio (OAR), engineers can identify potential performance bottlenecks and simplify device debugging.
The solution also streamlines testing workflows through automated compliance applications, which reduce setup complexity and produce comprehensive HTML reports suitable for engineering and validation teams. This ensures that both test houses and in-house R&D teams can efficiently validate PHY devices while maintaining adherence to IEEE standards.
Key features of the AE6980T Optical Automotive Ethernet Transmitter Test Solution include:
- Full compliance with IEEE 802.3cz Amendment 7 (2023) and Open Alliance TC7 test house specifications.
- Comprehensive TDFOM measurement suite (TDFOM OMA, ER, AOP, and OAR) for robust signal quality assessment.
- Support for Keysight DCA-M oscilloscopes (models N1092A/N1092C) with clock recovery using the N1077B module.
- Intuitive FlexDCA interface for automated testing, supporting both developer-centric and conformant test configurations.
The combination of hardware and software capabilities makes the AE6980T a critical tool for ensuring that optical automotive Ethernet systems meet the stringent quality requirements needed for modern vehicles. By automating complex test procedures and providing detailed signal insights, the solution accelerates time-to-market while ensuring reliability and compliance.
Collaboration with Industry Leaders
Keysight worked closely with KD, a leading developer of optical transceiver chipsets for multigigabit automotive Ethernet, during the development of IEEE 802.3cz. This partnership contributed directly to the finalization of the TDFOM test specifications and ensured that KD’s software-based TDFOM reference receiver aligns seamlessly with Keysight’s test platforms. By integrating these reference metrics into Keysight’s measurement systems, customers can now achieve precise, standard-compliant testing of in-vehicle optical networks.
David Ortiz, Chief Technology Officer of KD, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “Keysight’s new test solutions, designed for test houses, Tier-1 suppliers, and OEMs, support the robust automotive optical communications standard IEEE 802.3cz. They represent another step forward in building a complete ecosystem that will drive the adoption of optical automotive Ethernet communications in future vehicle platform architectures.”
Thomas Goetzl, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Automotive & Energy Solutions group, highlighted the broader impact of the AE6980T: “Automotive Ethernet has advanced significantly, with optical fiber now delivering major advantages for enabling multigigabit in-vehicle networks. By combining our innovative test and measurement solutions with deep expertise in optical measurement technologies, we help customers develop and validate reliable high-speed connectivity for the next generation of vehicles.”
Driving the Future of Automotive Connectivity
The introduction of the AE6980T reflects Keysight’s ongoing commitment to redefining automotive connectivity. Optical automotive Ethernet is poised to play a central role in next-generation vehicles, supporting the data-intensive requirements of ADAS, infotainment systems, and centralized computing architectures. By providing engineers and suppliers with the tools to rigorously test and validate optical PHYs, Keysight is enabling the industry to accelerate the adoption of this transformative technology.
As vehicle architectures continue to evolve, with growing reliance on high-speed data communication and centralized compute nodes, optical links are becoming indispensable. The AE6980T supports this transition by delivering precise, reliable, and automated testing capabilities that reduce development risk and ensure compliance with emerging standards. In doing so, it supports the automotive industry’s broader goals of safety, efficiency, and performance.
Beyond the technical capabilities, Keysight’s solution also emphasizes usability and workflow efficiency. Its intuitive interface and automated reporting simplify integration into existing engineering and validation processes, reducing the time and cost associated with complex testing scenarios. This enables Tier-1 suppliers, OEMs, and test houses to accelerate development cycles while maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability.
