Rohde & Schwarz supports smartphone-to-car communications

Rohde & Schwarz has joined the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to support the organisation’s mission to foster industry-wide standards for communications between vehicles and smartphones.

The company will contribute its broad expertise in mobile device and automotive technology testing to the consortium; in particular, it will provide its solutions for the development and production of ultra-wideband (UWB) devices and modules for automotive applications such as keyless vehicle access.

The CCC is a cross-industry organisation that advances technologies for smartphone-to-car connectivity solutions. The recently launched CCC Digital Key Release 3.0 specification enables compatible mobile devices to perform passive keyless access and start the engine via UWB in combination with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

UWB is a radio-based communications technology for short-range, high-speed spatial and directional transmission of data, and is likely to feature on a wide range of computer devices and IoT peripherals in the future. UWB’s accurate ranging capability and low power consumption, combined with high security and reliability, makes it suitable for automotive applications such as remote access and gesture recognition; for instance, the car can be parked or its boot opened autonomously. Furthermore, with the UWB-enabled Digital Key connection standardised by the CCC, access credentials to a rental vehicle can be shared or temporary access to in-car parcel delivery services can be granted via a mobile phone.

Testing the performance of UWB devices is important in the lab and on the production line to ensure compatibility and correct operation. As a leader in wireless device testing, Rohde & Schwarz provides a full range of UWB test solutions for R&D, certification and production that measure key parameters such as time of flight (ToF) and angle of arrival (AoA).

For example, the R&S CMP200 radio communication tester is suitable for solving UWB test challenges in volume production as well as in R&D. The tester combines the capabilities of a signal analyser and a signal generator in a single instrument, offering a complete solution for transmitter, receiver, ToF and AoA measurements in conducted and radiated mode, compliant to IEEE 802.15.4a/z specifications.

“Our membership of the CCC is a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to provide the automotive industry with test solutions to accelerate the realisation of connected cars,” said Jürgen Meyer, Vice President Market Segment Automotive at Rohde & Schwarz. “We look forward to working closely with the CCC.”

Image caption: The R&S CMP200 radio communication tester is suitable for solving UWB test challenges in volume production as well as in R&D.

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