R&S RTP scopes and Marvell 88Q6113 multiport multigigabit switch meet wideband test requirements

Rohde & Schwarz and Marvell announced that they have successfully demonstrated compliance tests and debugging for high-speed digital interfaces on the 88Q6113 multigigabit automotive switch platform. Developments in advanced driver-assistance systems are creating a new approach to in-vehicle network architecture design, the companies said, adding that with today´s vehicles leveraging at least a hundred ECUs, the current network architecture has reached its limits. The automotive industry is now focusing on a domain or zonal controller architecture to simplify network design and maximize performance. A domain controller can potentially replace the functions of many ECUs providing capabilities for high-speed communications, sensor fusion, and decision-making, as well as providing support for high-speed interfaces for cameras, radar, and lidar.

The Marvell 88Q6113 is suitable for implementing a domain/zonal controller network architecture and is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3 automotive standard, delivering high bandwidth with advanced routing and security. The 88Q6113 is an 11-port Ethernet switch that supports RGMII/MII/RMII, SGMII, XFI multi-speed SerDes (1/2.5/5/10 Gbps), and PCIe Gen 3.0, making it suitable for integrating the full range of sensors required for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving.

Signal integrity is a key factor for ensuring error-free data communication with all these high-speed digital interfaces, the companies said. In particular, the introduction of PCIe Gen 3.0 into the automotive industry will bring new challenges to engineers not yet familiar with the technology.

Rohde & Schwarz and Marvell reported that they were the first companies to execute successfully 1000BASE-T1 compliance tests, for the Marvell´s 88Q2112 Ethernet transceiver, using an R&S RTO oscilloscope. The latest improvements to the R&S RTP oscilloscope family include the 16-GHz acquisition bandwidth required to perform signal-integrity tests and debugging for SerDes, LVDS, PCIe Gen 3.0, MIPI, and more, as well as automotive Ethernet interfaces all present in Marvell´s 88Q6113 multigigabit automotive switch platform. The R&S RTP includes real-time de-embedding for signal-integrity analysis and has the highest acquisition rate on the market. In addition, the R&S RTP offers bus-measurement features supporting the high-precision latency measurements essential for debugging switches and networks, making this oscilloscope suitable for automotive network test.

Dr. Nik Dimitrakopoulos, automotive market segment manager at Rohde & Schwarz, commented, “With the introduction of domain and zone controllers in automotive networks, engineers will be faced with new challenges by the integration of fast serial interfaces like PCIe. Rohde & Schwarz is closely following the trends and test requirements in this industry. The addition to our portfolio of 16-GHz bandwidth for R&S RTP digital oscilloscopes can assist the automotive industry to overcome these challenges and fits perfectly in this market. We are very proud to assist Marvell in providing quality assurance for their products to their customers.”

Tim Lau, senior director of product marketing, Automotive Business Unit at Marvell Semiconductor added, “The Marvell 88Q6113 extends our multigigabit leadership, with interfaces delivering high-bandwidth to connected controllers and sensors. We are proud to partner with Rohde & Schwarz to

complete compliance testing and deliver reliable, high-quality solutions in this unique, emerging market.”