#10 - Executive Talks by RanLOS

Discussing automotive testing with Lars Granbom

The importance of testing and measurement
In the landscape of automotive technology, reliable and cost-efficient tests and measurement solutions are crucial. As self-driving and autonomous vehicles develop, the need for reliable communication systems and effective measurement tools has never been more critical. These instruments enable engineers to identify and solve problems efficiently, ensuring that new products and components function optimally.

Lars mentions: “When engineers are testing and developing new products or components, they need to have instruments and tools that are easy to use to be able to do your work. These are like the eyes and ears of engineers.”

RanLOS offers a solution and test system that significantly simplifies the process of measuring vehicle antennas, allowing engineers to measure how antennas radiate in different directions, the quality and capacity of digital OTA signals transmitted between antennas, and much more.

Enhancing vehicle communication and safety
Modern vehicles are sophisticated communication hubs, constantly exchanging large amounts of data with their surroundings, which is essential for safety and efficiency. For instance, if an accident occurs, data can be sent from the vehicle to a base station, which then alerts other drivers, helping them to change routes or prevent further incidents.

Lars: “If you look at modern vehicles, they are constantly communicating with the environment and there are very large amounts of data being sent to and from the car. This is essential for being able to use and develop self-driving and autonomous cars”.

RanLOS solutions can test this type of communication, ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission. Traditional methods of measuring antenna performance often require long distances between antennas and sophisticated setups, which can be costly and difficult to manage. RanLOS has simplified this process, allowing for more straightforward and cost-effective measurements replicating long-distance scenarios at a short distance with the RanLOS reflector and test solution.

Lars: “What we do, which is much less complex than what our competitors do, is that we have simplified the entire setup which makes it easy for engineers to use. RanLOS solution enables engineers to daily measure the different technical parameters of the system and antenna connection”.

Accessible and cost-effective test solutions
One of the primary advantages of the RanLOS test system is its accessibility and ease of use. Engineers do not need to send vehicles to specialized labs for testing; they can perform measurements directly on-site. This not only saves time and reduces costs but also increases the capacity for testing, as engineers can conduct measurements regularly and continuously without requiring specialized education.

“You don’t need to send the car to a specialized test or research lab to perform measurements, you can do it on-site alongside the development process. This is what’s so fantastic, by easily being able to measure continuously”.

Despite advancements in vehicle technology, connectivity issues remain a significant concern for many car consumers, leading to dissatisfaction which impacts the overall driving experience. RanLOS addresses this problem by providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for measuring and improving vehicle connectivity, which is at the top of the strategic agenda for many vehicle manufacturers today.

Louice mentions: “Today, vehicle connectivity isn’t good enough and many car consumers are not satisfied. It [connectivity] is at the top of the strategic agenda for many vehicle manufacturers because they don’t have a cost-effective way to measure this”.

Autonomous vehicle development
Testing solutions, like RanLOS technology, plays a pivotal role in the development of autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles can function safely and efficiently by enabling reliable and continuous measurement of communication systems and antenna performance. This not only leads to fewer accidents and reduced environmental impact but also paves the way for a future where fully autonomous vehicles are a reality.

Louice: “Looking at today, there are partially autonomous vehicles on the market. What we can see is that it results in fewer accidents, less environmental impact, and so on. So, there are a variety of advantages”.

Conclusion
The automotive industry is constantly developing and is driven by advancements in vehicle communication and autonomous technology. Accurate and efficient measurement is essential to this progress, and RanLOS stands at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to meet these demands. By simplifying the measurement process and making it more accessible, RanLOS solutions can help to enhance vehicle connectivity and consumer satisfaction as well as supporting the development of safer and better connected society. As we look to the future, solutions like the ones we have at RanLOS will be crucial in shaping the landscape of automotive technology.

Lars: “For me as an engineer, it’s important to have an easy-to-use instrument which helps me to perform the measurements needed for my design and my product to be as good as possible in the end. That’s what we need to contribute with to the development of vehicles”.