E6964A Automotive Ethernet MDI S-parameter Compliance Solution

Keysight E6964A  

Automotive Ethernet MDI S-parameter Compliance Solution  

Medium Dependent Interface (MDI) S-parameter testing made more accurate for components being tested for 100BASE-T1 or BroadR-Reach transmission compliance.

Introduction  

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. E6964A automotive Ethernet MDI S-parameter software provides you with an accurate way to verify BroadR-Reach and/or 100BASE-T1 designs and components. Most R&D teams believe they’re ready for automotive Ethernet because they’ve mastered low-speed buses like CAN or LIN. However, with automotive Ethernet you can’t glance at a few bits on the bus and quickly understand what’s happening. Next-generation Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) require cameras and radar systems with increasingly high resolution. That means new requirements for speed and bandwidth—and automotive Ethernet provides much faster transfer of ADAS-related data. Automotive Ethernet enables faster data communication to meet the demands of today’s vehicles and the connected vehicles of the future. Unlike CAN, LIN or MOST buses used before, the IEEE standard for automotive Ethernet demands rigorous compliance verification with test cases that cover Tx, Rx and harness/connector assemblies. Keysight’s full suite of automotive Ethernet solutions automate testing and validation across Tx, Rx, link segment and unique MDI S-parameters solution for 100 Mb/s automotive Ethernet. The E6964A automotive Ethernet MDI S-parameter test software lets you quickly execute Ethernet physical-layer (PHY) electrical tests for transmission compliance using the IEEE 802.3bw standard. In addition to the measurement data, the report provides a pass/fail analysis. The E6964A displays the results in a text format. Using the Keysight E6964A MDI S-parameter application (100BASE-T1 compliant) software increases confidence and repeatability of automotive Ethernet S-parameter testing.

The E6964A MDI S-parameter application is available in the following license variations

– E6964A-1FP Fixed to one E5071C vector network analyzer

– E6964A-1TP Server-based transportable license to move from a lab or company to different E5071C vector network analyzers

Features  

Using the Keysight E6964A MDI S-parameter application (100BASE-T1 compliant) software increases confidence and repeatability of automotive Ethernet S-parameter testing. The Keysight MDI S-parameter compliance software offers several features to simplify the validation of automotive Ethernet designs.  

The E6964A software:  

– Guides you how to make connections to the device under test.

– Configures the ENA for the test

– Produces an automated test result calculation including correction for impedance profile slope and summing of all four S-parameters

– Creates a simple Pass/Fail judgement

– Complies with MDI S-parameter testing per BroadR-Reach V3.2 (OPEN alliance PMA test suite version 2) as well as IEEE 802.3bw (100BASE-T1) specifications

E6964A MDI S-parameter compliance software  

The E6964A MDI S-parameter test software saves you time and gives you confidence by setting the stage for automatic execution of 100BASE-T1 transmitter S-parameter tests. Some of the difficulties of performing tests for 100BASE-T1 return loss measurements are properly connecting to the vector network analyzer, loading the proper setup files, and then analyzing the measured results by comparing them to limits published in the specification. Without intimate knowledge of how to use a network analyzer these steps can be intimidating and confusing. The 100BASE-T1 MDI S-parameter application gives you confidence in setting up, executed and analyzing the results. There are two different governing bodies of these automotive ethernet standards. The specifications from IEEE 802.3bw issued on October 2015 defines electrical specifications for 100BASE-T1 including the MDI return loss that is covered by this software. The OPEN Alliance1 test suite for BroadR-Reach (OABR) physical layer transceiver specification for automotive applications V3.2, dated June 24th, 2014 specifies the return loss characteristics required. In addition, the Open Alliance Automotive Ethernet ECU (TC8) specifies return loss and mode conversion of the MDI and fixture test. Keysight E6964A BroadR-Reach Link segment test software incorporates these specifications and the test suites so that you do not need to be an expert on any of them. Keysight’s E6964A BroadR-Reach MDI S-Parameter software provides the same test as the Test Mode 4 Management Data Input (MDI) Return Loss Test in the N6467B Automotive Ethernet TX Compliance Test. The only difference is that this test runs directly from a vector network analyzer and does not require an oscilloscope.