Automotive Ethernet Physical Layer Compliance Testing

Anritsu Company and Tektronix are working together to provide an integrated test solution for physical layer compliance of Automotive Ethernet links, addressing validation requirements for in-vehicle digital infrastructure based on IEEE standards.

Context of the Cooperation
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly adopting Ethernet-based networks to support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and centralized vehicle architectures. These applications require deterministic data transmission and strict interoperability across components from multiple vendors. Ensuring this interoperability depends on validated physical layer performance according to IEEE 802.3bw, 802.3bp, and 802.3ch specifications.

Anritsu and Tektronix address this requirement by combining complementary measurement capabilities. Anritsu contributes frequency-domain characterization using vector network analysis, while Tektronix provides time-domain signal analysis and automated compliance testing. The cooperation targets engineers responsible for development, validation, and production testing of Automotive Ethernet components such as cables, connectors, and electronic control units.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The solution integrates the Anritsu ShockLine MS46524B vector network analyzer with the Tektronix 6 Series MSO oscilloscope. The VNA performs differential S-parameter measurements required for evaluating Media Dependent Interface (MDI) return loss and mode conversion loss. These parameters are critical for verifying impedance matching and minimizing signal degradation on single-pair Ethernet links.

Measured S-parameter data is transferred to the oscilloscope environment, where Tektronix TekExpress Automotive Ethernet compliance software executes automated test sequences. The software aligns with the OPEN Alliance PMA TC8 test specifications, enabling standardized pass/fail evaluation and report generation. Anritsu supports SCPI-based remote control of the VNA, allowing integration into automated test systems, while Tektronix provides the compliance framework and reporting tools.

Deployment and Implementation
The test setup uses qualified Ethernet test fixtures, phase-stable cables, calibration kits, and a defined common ground between device under test and fixture. Fixture qualification according to OPEN Alliance requirements is part of the measurement process to ensure repeatability and traceability. The configuration supports both laboratory validation and automated production environments.

The MS46524B VNA operates up to 43.5 GHz, providing sufficient bandwidth and dynamic range for current and emerging Automotive Ethernet variants. The oscilloscope-based compliance stage allows correlation between frequency-domain and time-domain behavior during debug and validation.

Applications and Expected Impact
The cooperative solution is intended for automotive component manufacturers, cable suppliers, and system integrators working on Ethernet-based vehicle networks and industrial automation-adjacent validation workflows. By separating precision parameter extraction from standardized compliance evaluation, the approach reduces ambiguity in physical layer testing and supports consistent results across development and certification phases.

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