FEATURE TEST & COMPLIANCE Testing the TCU
Peter Macejko, Anritsu Corporation discusses how a new integrated software tool is providing an easy-to-implement way to test specific wireless standards in connected cars
A
ll modern connected cars rely on the all-essential TCU (Telematics Control
Unit) to communicate with the external world. This embedded, onboard in- vehicle mini computer system communicates with other electronic in- car systems and externally via its embedded radio. The TCU is part of an in-vehicle network (IVN) exchanging messages between Electronic Control Units (ECU) and sensors via CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. A TCU also provides the possibility to
position a vehicle using the built-in GPS/GLONASS/GALLILEO modules. The TCU supports radio-based technologies via modules such as the Wi-Fi module, for an in-car Wi-Fi solution, the Bluetooth module, and the GSM/LTE module for mobile communications. The latter is highly notable regarding vehicles equipped with eCall systems, which have the capability to initiate a phone call to an emergency centre in the event of an accident. To realise eCall, two designs of an automotive TCU are possible – remote or integrated. The integrated system design supports audio codecs, amplifiers, ADCs/DACs and other circuitry to enable the voice to transmit and receive functionality of the cellular system. Figure 1 shows a very simplified part of
a TCU scheme for radio communication in possible eCall designs. Electronic parts, such as Electrostatic Discharge protection diodes, Linear Low Drop regulators, Clock Buffers and others, which are normally present, are not shown. An Increased amount of technology
enabling wireless connectivity inside a TCU requires a straightforward and easy- to-implement way to test a specific wireless standard. For eCall systems, it is important to verify mainly the cellular (GSM/LTE) functionality of a TCU. One possibility is to use the Anritsu MD8475A/B signalling tester through the integrated software tool – SmartStudio. This solution provides semi-automated test scenarios for testing and debugging automotive use cases more efficiently by replacing real life time consuming drive
16 JULY/AUGUST 2020 | ELECTRONICS Figure1 (above):
The radio Communication part of a TCU
automate tests scenarios. Such configuration of a system enables more advanced ways of testing a TCU. More importantly, it can automate not only tests of cellular networks but also test Wireless LANs (WLAN), as its API is open. One of the strongest features of the
testing. The software-based solution can be easily customised to meet user needs. Supported cellular technologies are LTE, LTE-Advanced, W-CDMA/HSPA/HSPA- Evolution/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EGPRS, CDMA2000 1X/1xEV-DO Rev. A. and TD- CDMA/TD-HSPA. Manipulation of the instrument can be
further automated by using Anritsu’s SmartStudio Manager. The platform is usable across multiple test teams for environments including development and integration. The design environment is based upon a flowchart solution that allows the user to connect blocks to define the test flows. No special programming skills are required. Figure 2. shows part of the
test implemented in SmartStudio Manager. This software needs to be run on a separate computer, which is connected to the instrument via Ethernet. It is then possible to control the instrument and fully
Figure 2:
SmartStudio Manager view
test platform is the possibility to run a specific script to perform part of a measurement. The script can be written in languages such as Perl or Python so it further enhances the use of the managing software. In the case of WLAN testing, it can correctly setup an AP using the SSH protocol and execute an Iperf throughput measurement accordingly. This offers the possibility to test UDP or TCP peak data rates. An automation computer equipped with
Figure 3:
Automation with SmartStudio Manager
adequate hardware and with SmartStudio Manager installed helps to test and verify most of the wireless connectivity of a TCU. It provides a tool for making eCall validation easier by controlling a signalling tester. Besides testing of emergency calls, the signalling tester can be also used for simulation of many different test scenarios commonly found in other cellular applications. Support for the W-Fi tests further enhances the measuring capability of the system. Such a testing system can be described as Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation, which is becoming more popular due to its ability to simplify many test cases, save time and increase the company’s return on investment (ROI).
Anritsu Corporation
www.anritsu.com
/ ELECTRONICS
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