TÜV NORD Partners with Spirent to Develop Ethernet Testing Services

Crawley, UK/Essen, Germany – February 3, 2015 – Spirent Communications, the leader in networks, services and devices testing, today announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with TÜV NORD GROUP to jointly develop testing services for Ethernet-based networks in vehicles. With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers. The focus will be on defining comprehensive test scenarios that ensure the data networks in vehicles meet the highest requirements when it comes to reliability and safety.

The use of multiple cameras, sensors and infotainment systems means that the volume of data transmitted in cars is increasing dramatically making greater bandwidth a must. Existing in-car networking technologies can no longer cope with these requirements especially when it comes to performance and operational efficiency. As a result, Ethernet, proven in telecommunications and enterprise networks, is becoming a key technology in the automotive field. However, Ethernet must be adapted for the specific needs of automotive environments, therefore manufacturers and suppliers are working to develop corresponding standards in various organizations.

TÜV NORD’s Institute for Vehicle Technology and Mobility, with almost 100 employees, will support the automotive industry in developing test cases and examining the compatibility with international norms. In addition, TÜV NORD engineers are collaborating actively on the development of standards in various organizations such as the OPEN Alliance, which is developing test scenarios that will serve as guidelines for auto manufacturers.

“In the next few years Ethernet will become the de facto standard for broadband data networks in vehicles,” said Heiko Ehrich, head of Automotive Electronics & Car IT at TÜV NORD. “But as with all new technologies sophisticated testing in the early stages is paramount to guaranteeing safety. Manufacturers and suppliers often lack both the solutions and the experience needed to draw up test scenarios. Further, every car manufacturer has developed specific practices when it comes to designing vehicles. As a result test services must be adapted to these individual concepts.”

The test systems must be capable of scrutinizing automotive network designs for performance, reliability and safety under realistic conditions. TÜV NORD selected Spirent’s automotive test solution consisting of the TTworkbench automation platform, Spirent TestCenter software and C50 automotive Test Appliance with support from OPEN Alliance BroadR-Reach® standards. BroadR-Reach, an automotive Ethernet standard, will be used by car manufacturers worldwide and form the basis for networking new functions such as cameras, safety radars, infotainment systems, internet connections for Telematic services and other applications.

“Spirent was first to develop a BroadR-Reach based test solution, reiterating our support for the automotive industry,” said Thomas Schulze, director of Business Development, Automotive Business Unit at Spirent Communications. “This important cooperation with TÜV NORD GROUP now enables us to define concrete test cases and carry out the corresponding testing and appraisal.”