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Tektronix Streamlines Automotive Ethernet Testing
Automotive ethernet solution for 5 and 6 series mixed-signal oscilloscopes solve critical signal analysis and debug testing challenges, saving time and increasing cost savings.
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CIO Applications | Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Automotive ethernet solution for 5 and 6 series mixed-signal oscilloscopes solve critical signal analysis and debug testing challenges, saving time and increasing cost savings.
FREMONT, CA: Tektronix has launched two new software packages with its 5 and 6 Series Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes (MSO), which significantly simplify Automotive Ethernet testing, debugging and protocol decoding. Automotive engineers can now conduct Automotive Ethernet testing using the latest Signal Separation software without disrupting the ECU system or cutting the ethernet cable to install a directional coupler, while the PAM3 analysis package offers in-depth insight into signal features at the system level.
As the transition to Automotive Ethernet or IEEE 802.3bw (formerly BroadR-Reach) technology in cars accelerates, extensive design validation is essential to guarantee that various ECUs are interoperable and safe. To separate the full-duplex signal, current Automotive Ethernet testing solutions require technicians to install a directional coupler. This adds insertion and returns loss and makes it hard to determine whether the system or extra equipment is a consequence of an error.
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To eliminate these problems, Tektronix’ unique Signal Separation software separates the full-duplex signal from both master and slave test points by looking at voltage and current waveforms and providing separate signals using a proprietary algorithm. This technique shows real ECU signals without a directional coupler and simultaneously offers complete protocol debug of master and slave ECUs.
Tektronix Signal Separation software is simple to use, lowers test expenses, and enhances the precision of measurements. Signal Separation promotes Automotive Ethernet's complete life cycle testing from design to service. Users can use in-car testing solution, as well as testing signal integrity during cranking or other situations.
Vehicles are rapidly becoming data centers on wheels, and proven IT techniques are entering automotive networks. Testing has become more complex and time-consuming because safety and reliability are so critical. As these new software offerings show, the organization is aggressively developing innovative complete life cycle alternatives for automotive engineers to simplify and accelerate system testing and product development, lowering test times and expenses.
Automotive Ethernet's three levels of PAM3 bring extra signaling complexity and place new requirements on test methodology, partly because the three amplitudes produce two eye diagrams. The Tektronix PAM3 analysis package offers an extensive collection of software clock recovery measurements that provide higher understanding into signal features, speeding up validation and characterization of PAM3 models with varying cable lengths, noise conditions or ECU settings. In a correct ECU setting, the solution also allows for eye-opening measurements, eye mask testing, jitter separation, and Bit Error Rate (BER) plotting.
The PAM3 Analysis was evaluated and validated by leading automotive OEMs and T1 firms along with Signal Separation alternatives. The Tektronix solution includes not only the signal and protocol analysis but also the Automotive Ethernet Compliance test for physical layer, complete test automation, and thorough pass/fail reporting according to the Open Alliance TC8 specification.
Tektronix 5 Series MSO and 6 Series MSO oscilloscopes offer analog bandwidth of up to 8 GHz, sample rates of 25 GS/s and a 12-bit analog to digital converter (ADC), delivering the performance required to capture waveforms with the high-signal reliability and resolution necessary to view small waveform details in Automotive Ethernet.
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