Demonstrating EMC testing of eCall technology to the latest UN ECE R10 standard, which regulates automobile-related EMC, Applus Laboratories and Rohde & Schwarz recently integrated eCall analysis capabilities into an electromagnetic compatibility test chamber in various setups.
A real car was used to assess an eCall system in the EMC hall at the Applus facility in Spain – the main objective of which was to showcase options for implementing eCall test capabilities in an EMC evaluation environment, by making accident emergency calls with a test vehicle without making false 112 calls. Various eCall immunity test scenarios have been developed as part of the scheduled update to the UN ECE R10 standard.
R&S was approached by Applus Laboratories to help with a demo of eCall testing in its EMC facilities. The setup used the R&S CMW500 cellular network emulator, along with the R&S CMW-KA09x eCall test software simulation and a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The R&S CMW-KA09x eCall test software from Rohde & Schwarz supports 2G-, 3G-, 4G- and 5G-based emergency call systems and can be used to test eCall with Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G NR (Next Generation eCall, or NG eCall). The software facilitates eCall compliance testing in line with the EU eCall, NG eCall, UN-R144 and other national standards.
During the showcase, an immunity test was conducted in a radio anechoic chamber and radio interference was introduced. The assessment confirmed the feasibility and ease of establishing an emergency call between the vehicle and simulated PSAP server with the R&S CMW500 eCall test solution. The minimum set of data was successfully transmitted from the test vehicle to the R&S CMW500 without any data loss. Voice communication was established between the vehicle and the test solution with clear audio quality and the vehicle’s received GNSS position was accurately transmitted.
Applus Laboratories used this demo to highlight eCall test scenarios with the R&S PSAP system in a workshop session attended by the United Nations Informal Working Group on Electromagnetic Compatibility, community representatives from various countries, as well as vehicle manufacturers from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).
Participants were said to have been impressed by the ease with which the R&S CMW500 handled the eCall test and found it beneficial witnessing the full breadth of eCall EMC routes.