2024-04-12
Application Note
There is a critical importance of continuous testing when developing wireless communication systems for vehicles. Why is this important and how can car manufacturers perform tests during development in a convenient and cost-effective way? Let’s explore this in our application note below.
![active-measurement_ranlos-beamforce-42 RanLOS test setup for testing wireless communication systems for vehicles](https://usercontent.one/wp/ranlos.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/active-measurement_ranlos-beamforce-42-qmxj10u79i638tvosy4g7mscju4lpqrg6vnuue7ry8.webp?media=1714030099)
Introduction
This application note emphasizes the critical importance of comprehensive testing in developing wireless communication systems for vehicles. These systems, characterized by complexity involving digital components, analog components, and software, demand thorough testing for both customer satisfaction and system reliability.
The theory of signal modulation underscores the significance of accurate signal detection at the receiver’s end, particularly in systems with higher modulation schemes that store more information. Natural and in-car disturbances impact signal quality and need to be considered when the test system is chosen to be used for measurements and verification of the vehicle communication system.
In conclusion, this application note highlights why it is important to perform tests when developing wireless communication systems for vehicles. It also presents RanLOS test system as a cost-effective and reliable solution to ensure optimum measurement performance.
Short description of a typical communication system
When establishing a wireless connection, the capacity and therefore the throughput is important. The communication system consists of a number of components and subsystems. It is a complex system with digital and analog subsystems and much software. Customer experience is of high importance and the quality of the communication system is very important. Testing the entire communication system in a car is therefore of high priority. In addition, a growing percentage of the vehicle’s technical performance depends on how well the communication system works. All this shows that tests of the communication system are a vital part of the development process of new vehicles.
A wireless communication channel uses a space in the frequency spectrum. In order to use the frequency space as efficiently as possible the frequency spectrum is divided into areas that can be used for different purposes and functionalities. The frequency space is then used for transferring digital data at a certain speed (capacity/throughput). To be able to communicate with as high capacity/throughput as possible, different modulation technologies are being used. High order modulation scheme enables high data rates but will also require a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
QAM constellation diagrams
Examples of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) constellation diagrams, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, and 256 QAM
![Examples of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) constellation diagrams, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, and 256 QAM.](https://usercontent.one/wp/ranlos.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QAM-constellation-diagrams.webp?media=1714030099)
Measurements with RanLOS test equipment
RanLOS test technology is based on practical parameters and is designed to be easy to use, cost-effective, and deliver excellent measurement quality. The test systems are designed to be used in anechoic chambers, semi-anechoic chambers, EMC chambers, open measurement sites, etc.
The RanLOS test technology makes it possible to perform measurements in far-field conditions whilst the competitors mainly measure in near-field conditions and thereafter convert the result to far-field conditions with mathematical methods. This means that the RanLOS system is easy to use and that it is possible to supplement an already existing EMC chambers to do the measurement of the communication system in the vehicle.
Do you want to learn more about why testing is vital when developing wireless communication systems for vehicles? Make sure to download our free pdf version of this Application Note below. ✅
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