Test gear checks out OPEN Alliance TC9 test spec for 1000BASE-T1

Rohde & Schwarz and connectivity and sensor component manufacturer TE Connectivity have successfully tested a communication link, utilizing Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables and TE’s MATEnet data connector system, for compliance with the One-Pair Ethernet (OPEN) Alliance Technical Committee (TC) group 9 test specification for 1000BASE-T1.

Automotive Ethernet is becoming the preferred solution for in-vehicle communications, offering to date speeds up to 10 Gbps. For data speeds up to 1 Gbps (1000BASE-T1), the communication link can run on unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling. However, for speeds of 1 Gbps and higher, electromagnetic interference (EMI) becomes increasingly critical and can potentially threaten the integrity of other communications within the vehicle. Therefore, the OPEN Alliance TC9 group, which defines the requirements of cables and connectors for in-vehicle networks using automotive Ethernet, is now focusing on shielded cabling in order to minimize emissions, as the industry moves towards much faster speeds, for example 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps or even 10GBASE-T1.

Those who integrate in-vehicle networks using cables and connectors will need to ensure compliance with the stringent TC9 STP test specifications. Rohde & Schwarz assisted TE in verifying the development and manufacturing of the cables and connector components used in the automotive industry. The compliance tests were performed on STP cables with TE’s MATEnet terminals and connectors using the R&S ZNB vector network analyzer together with the integrated in-situ de-embedding (ISD) function from AtaiTec.

Dr. Nik Dimitrakopoulos, Market Segment Automotive and responsible for automotive Ethernet & Infotainment at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “This test specification can be a challenging task for many engineers. With our R&S ZNB series vector network analyzers, we are providing the reference for high accuracy measurements in this market, ensuring a safer and connected world.”

Andreas Engel, Senior Manager, Business Development at TE Connectivity, said, “TE’s MATEnet is our highly robust miniaturized modular data connectivity solution for automotive Ethernet. Our customers demand the highest robustness and reliability and it is vital that we can demonstrate compliance with the most stringent test specifications for signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility. We are therefore delighted with the collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz to successfully demonstrate our product’s compliance with the OPEN Alliance TC9 specifications”

For more information about the Rohde & Schwarz solutions for in-vehicle communication networks, go to https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/_231834.html