Keysight introduces advanced automotive Ethernet receiver and optical test solutions to accelerate validation, ensure standards compliance, and support the shift toward high-speed, software-defined vehicle architectures.
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) is set to make a significant impact at the Automotive Ethernet Congress (AEC) in Germany with the introduction of its latest generation of in-vehicle network testing solutions. As the automotive industry undergoes a profound transformation driven by software-defined architectures and ever-increasing data demands, Keysight’s innovations aim to address one of the most critical aspects of modern vehicle development: ensuring robust, high-speed, and standards-compliant communication across complex automotive networks.
The company’s showcase at booth B-07 will center on advanced receiver (Rx) compliance testing solutions designed to support automotive Ethernet validation across a wide spectrum of speeds—from 10BASE-T1S to 10GBASE-T1. This broad coverage reflects the rapidly evolving requirements of in-vehicle networking, where legacy systems are giving way to scalable, high-bandwidth architectures capable of supporting next-generation applications such as autonomous driving, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and real-time data analytics.
The Shift Toward Software-Defined Vehicles
Modern vehicles are increasingly defined not just by mechanical engineering, but by software and data. This paradigm shift has led to the emergence of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where centralized computing and zonal architectures replace traditional distributed electronic control units (ECUs). In such environments, automotive Ethernet has become the backbone of communication, offering the bandwidth, flexibility, and scalability required to handle growing data loads.
However, with this transition comes heightened complexity. Ensuring reliable data transmission across multiple domains—ranging from safety-critical systems to consumer-facing applications—requires rigorous validation processes. Receiver testing, in particular, has become a mission-critical component, as it directly impacts the ability of systems to interpret incoming signals accurately under a wide range of real-world conditions.
Addressing Critical Testing Challenges
Keysight’s latest solutions are designed to tackle the multifaceted challenges associated with automotive Ethernet validation. As network speeds increase and architectures become more distributed, engineers must contend with issues such as signal integrity degradation, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and noise coupling. These factors can significantly impact system performance if not properly addressed during the development and validation phases.
By introducing comprehensive receiver compliance testing solutions, Keysight enables automakers and suppliers to validate physical layer (PHY) performance with greater precision and efficiency. This capability is essential for ensuring that in-vehicle networks meet stringent industry standards while maintaining the reliability and safety expected in automotive applications.
10BASE-T1S Receiver Test Solution
One of the key highlights of Keysight’s presentation at AEC is its 10BASE-T1S Receiver Test Solution, developed in collaboration with BitifEye Digital Test Solutions GmbH. This solution is specifically designed to support emerging multi-drop Ethernet architectures, which are increasingly being adopted in zonal and edge-controller designs.
Unlike traditional point-to-point communication, multi-drop architectures allow multiple devices to share a single communication medium. While this approach offers advantages in terms of cost and scalability, it also introduces additional complexity in terms of signal management and validation. Keysight’s solution addresses these challenges by providing a comprehensive suite of automated tests that ensure compliance with industry specifications.
The test solution includes advanced software capable of executing receiver validation in accordance with the Open Alliance TC14 PMA Test Suite 5.2.1 specification. This ensures that PHY devices meet the required performance criteria under standardized conditions. Additionally, the solution enables bit error rate (BER) verification under impaired channel conditions and in the presence of coupled noise—scenarios that closely mimic real-world operating environments.
To support these capabilities, Keysight has introduced new hardware components, including a 10BASE-T1S media converter, ringing board, and MDI adapters. These tools work together to create a controlled testing environment that accurately replicates the challenges faced in actual vehicle networks. Furthermore, the solution’s multi-drop testing capabilities allow engineers to validate the performance of scalable zonal architectures, ensuring that systems can handle the demands of modern vehicle designs.
Advancing Optical Automotive Ethernet with nGBASE-AU
In addition to its copper-based testing solutions, Keysight is also demonstrating its nGBASE-AU optical automotive Ethernet test solution. This cutting-edge platform is designed to address the growing need for higher bandwidth, improved EMI resilience, and long-reach communication within vehicles.
Optical Ethernet is emerging as a key enabler of next-generation automotive networks, particularly in applications that require high data rates and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Keysight’s nGBASE-AU solution provides a comprehensive testbed for validating optical physical layer performance, ensuring compliance with the latest industry standards.
The solution fully supports IEEE 802.3cz Amendment 7 (2023) as well as Open Alliance TC7 test house specifications. This ensures that manufacturers can confidently develop and deploy optical Ethernet technologies that meet global requirements. A key feature of the platform is its advanced TDFOM (Transmitter Dispersion Eye Closure Quaternary) measurement suite, which includes metrics such as optical modulation amplitude (OMA), extinction ratio (ER), average optical power (AOP), and optical attenuation ratio (OAR). These measurements provide detailed insights into signal quality, enabling engineers to optimize performance and identify potential issues early in the development process.
The testbed is compatible with high-performance oscilloscope models such as the Keysight DCA-M N1092A and N1092C, with clock recovery facilitated by the Keysight N1077B. This integration ensures precise signal analysis and reliable measurement results. Additionally, the platform features an intuitive test automation interface within FlexDCA, allowing users to configure both standardized compliance tests and custom development scenarios with ease.
Enabling Faster Innovation Cycles
One of the primary benefits of Keysight’s new solutions is their ability to accelerate innovation cycles within the automotive industry. By providing automated, standards-compliant testing capabilities, these tools reduce the time and effort required for validation, enabling engineers to focus on design optimization and system integration.
As vehicle architectures continue to evolve, the ability to quickly validate new technologies becomes increasingly important. Keysight’s solutions support this need by offering scalable, flexible testing platforms that can adapt to changing requirements. Whether working with low-speed multi-drop networks or high-speed optical links, engineers can rely on a consistent testing framework that ensures accuracy and repeatability.
Supporting Industry Standards and Collaboration
Keysight’s commitment to industry collaboration is evident in its alignment with key standards organizations such as IEEE and the Open Alliance. By ensuring compliance with established specifications, the company helps foster interoperability and consistency across the automotive ecosystem.
The collaboration with BitifEye Digital Test Solutions further underscores Keysight’s approach to innovation. By partnering with specialized experts, the company is able to deliver solutions that address specific industry challenges while maintaining a high level of technical rigor.
Meeting the Demands of Future Mobility
As the automotive industry moves toward a future defined by connectivity, autonomy, and electrification, the importance of reliable in-vehicle communication cannot be overstated. High-speed Ethernet networks will play a central role in enabling these capabilities, serving as the foundation for data exchange between sensors, controllers, and cloud-based systems.
Keysight’s latest testing solutions are designed with this future in mind. By addressing both current and emerging requirements, the company is helping to pave the way for the next generation of automotive innovation. From ensuring signal integrity in multi-drop networks to validating optical communication links, these tools provide the insights and capabilities needed to build robust, high-performance systems.
Executive Perspective
Thomas Goetzl, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Automotive & Energy Solutions, emphasized the significance of these advancements, noting that as vehicle architectures become increasingly software-driven and data-intensive, the need for resilient, high-speed Ethernet communication is more critical than ever. He highlighted that the introduction of the 10BASE-T1S receiver test portfolio and the nGBASE-AU optical solution equips the automotive industry with essential tools to accelerate innovation while ensuring robust and standards-compliant performance.
Keysight’s unveiling of next-generation in-vehicle network test solutions at the Automotive Ethernet Congress 2026 represents a strategic response to the evolving needs of the automotive industry. By addressing the complexities of modern vehicle architectures and providing comprehensive testing capabilities, the company is enabling automakers and suppliers to navigate the transition to software-defined, data-centric mobility with confidence.
Through its focus on innovation, standards compliance, and collaboration, Keysight continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of automotive technology—ensuring that the vehicles of tomorrow are not only more connected and intelligent, but also reliable, safe, and efficient.
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