By Jürgen Meyer, Director for Automotive, and Dr Ernst Flemming, Product Manager for oscilloscopes, Rohde & Schwarz

From radar to wireless connectivity and in-vehicle networking to cyber-security, the level of electronics and data systems in modern vehicles is growing rapidly. This growth, in turn, drives new test and measurement (T&M) challenges for vehicle manufacturers and automotive OEMs, challenges that encompass a variety of scenarios, from testing RF and Ethernet technologies to semiconductors and electromagnetic compatibility. Some can be addressed by customising and using test technologies originally created for other sectors, whilst others require new solutions.

eCall

One of the factors driving increased electronic content in vehicles is legislation. Among the many examples of legislation-led technology is the European Commission’s eCall initiative, where an eCall unit automatically contacts the emergency services from a vehicle in the event of an accident, providing key data from its sensors. Since April 2018, car manufacturers are required to equip all new vehicles sold in the EU with an eCall module.