Column Control DTX

Automaker Gets a 360 View of Radar Design and Test Validation with 50% Less Manpower

Case Studies

Automotive radar technology is an indispensable part of the modern vehicle. Common wireless RF applications range from in-car communications and telematics, to keyless entry, wireless airbag triggering, and tire-pressure sensor data transmission. More applications are on the horizon with the emergence of infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including low-cost data and high-speed connectivity for cloud services and live music, global positioning and mapping, various safety applications, and emergency call services. While these applications deliver key advantages for drivers, they also add greatly to the amount of testing that must be completed before a design is fully verified (see Figure 1).

A leading luxury carmaker recently found itself up against this challenge, with its design and test verification resources stretched to the limit. As the automaker introduced new models with autonomous driving features, it grappled with the growing number of RF test requirements needed to meet both internal deadlines and achieve industry-standard conformance.

The Challenge: Keeping Track of Tests

The challenge for the automaker was how to keep track of all the RF tests needed for each new vehicle model, while also monitoring the development status of each test at the component and device/system levels. Additionally, the automaker’s R&D team found it difficult to ensure that necessary resources like test stands and prototype cars were available.

The team needed a workflow solution capable of:

  1. Modeling the entire car architecture
  2. Managing, assigning, and tracking tests
  3. 3Exing tests and generating reports
  4. Verifying results against specifications
  5. Offering visibility on which RF components and systems were ready for mass production

Initially, the automaker considered purchasing two separate solutions to meet its needs: generic enterprise management software and test automation software. However, this decision would mean having to run two different platforms and require additional resources to integrate both platforms.

The Solution: PathWave Lab Operations Software with RF Measurement Expertise

For an answer to this dilemma, the automaker turned to Keysight Technologies. The R&D team was already using Keysight automotive RF measurement solutions. When the team heard about Keysight’s PathWave design and test workflow software solution, it wondered if the software could meet its laboratory management requirements.

The automaker’s R&D team found the perfect fit with PathWave lab operations software. Tracking of individual component-level and overall system-design maturity level, provided the team a 360º view of their design workflow. Connection compatibility to various design and test instrumentation hardware also helped speed test workflows and enhanced their productivity. Plus, the software’s open application programming interfaces allowed the team to easily and quickly make customizations.

Because the PathWave lab operations software was designed to integrate with various third-party software and hardware, the R&D team integrated the entire workflow in its existing RF design and test setup in little to no time at all.

The Results

The automaker was impressed with the resources and money it saved using the automated PathWave lab operations software. With its new fully-connected and automated workflow, the company saved over 50% in terms of manpower. Better yet, it eliminated the need to manually collate and analyze data—something that would have been required had it opted to use separate enterprise management and test automation software solutions. And by using PathWave, the R&D team was able to better manage its assets and logistics, from the vehicle-level directly to the component level. The software precisely determined when specific models were ready for mass production. With the successful implementation of the automated Keysight PathWave lab operations software, the automaker is now keen to explore using the same solution at additional R&D centers around the world.

×

Please have a salesperson contact me.

*Indicates required field

Preferred method of communication? *Required Field
Preferred method of communication? Change email?
Preferred method of communication?

By clicking the button, you are providing Keysight with your personal data. See the Keysight Privacy Statement for information on how we use this data.

Thank you.

A sales representative will contact you soon.

Column Control DTX