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Automotive Certification & Testing

Automotive Testing Services & Certification

Safety, efficiency, quality, and compliance are of the utmost importance in the automotive industry, regardless of whether you are a car manufacturer, a developer of communication devices for vehicle installation, or a chip manufacturer.

To ensure that a vehicle and the multitude of integrated electrical and electronic sub-assemblies (EUBs) are fully compliant with regulatory aspects as well as industry requirements, vehicles and components must be properly tested and certified.


cetecom advanced is one of the world’s leading automotive testing service providers. We have many years of experience in supporting manufacturers and product developers around the world. Our international network of offices, laboratories, test centers and experts for international type approval ensures the quality of our services in every country.


As a recognized testing laboratory in accordance with DIN ISO 17025:2018, we offer the resources and expertise to provide our customers in the automotive industry with qualified automotive testing and certification services. From the testing of a product to successful market access and approval – we are committed to the goals of our customers.

DAkkS
DAkkS
KBA
KBA
All accreditations
All accreditations

Automotive Testing – The benefits

There are several good reasons for automotive testing and certification. We have listed a small selection:

  • Regulatory compliance
    Without thorough testing and certification, most components and products are restricted from market access.
    Compliance with specific, relevant regulations is a necessary requirement for accessing those markets.
  • Product safety
    Appropriate testing procedures are vital in proving the resilience and reliability of systems.
    This is especially important when it comes to complex products like vehicles with several
    electrical and electronic sub-assemblies (EUBs)
  • Fault discovery
    Automotive testing services can help to potentially reveal minor or substantial flaws in a complex product.
    Given the right solutions, these flaws can be identified and targeted at an early stage. This helps to prevent
    expensive or time-intensive adjustments later.

With cetecom advanced, our customers gain access to these and various other benefits of professional automotive testing and certification solutions. Feel free to contact us – we gladly provide you with the necessary support in our state-of-the-art test facilities.

Our Automotive Testing & Certification Solutions

Certification & Approvals

Depending on the market and region, automotive components can be subject to a variety of requirements. Popular examples for these requirements are the following certifications:

  • Europe (CE/E-Mark)
  • USA (FCC)
  • Canada (ISED)
  • Japan (MIC)

Since there is no single program for international product certification, components and products of manufacturers must be properly approved. This is where the expertise of cetecom advanced is crucial.

As a recognized contact of the authorities and an established provider of automotive testing services, we support our customers in developing a roadmap to successful market access and approval worldwide. We handle the entire project management, including country-specific regulations, and ensure direct market approvals in the USA, Canada, Japan, and Europe. This is made possible by our own internal certification bodies.

Certification services for automotive components for the following Motor Transport Authorities:

  • E1 (Germany), Kraftfahrtbundesamt (KBA)
  • E13 (Luxembourg), Société Nationale de Certification et d’Homologation (S.N.C.H.)
  • E24 (Ireland), National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

Certification services for radio products

Our tests cover the frequency range up to 500 GHz. Due to this, we can provide tests and certifications for a wide range of radio technologies, including Bluetooth®, WLAN, LTE, UWB and radar.

  • Europe (CE)
  • USA (TCB)
  • Canada (FCB)
  • Japan (RCB)
  • International Type Approval (ITA)
  • QI-Certification

We offer International Type approval for more than 180 countries with our in-house certification bodies (NB, TCB, FCB, and RCB). cetecom advanced is your partner to ensure that your products meet all country-specific requirements for international market approval, certification and homologation.

Automotive Testing & Certification Services – Our expertise

Regulatory Testing

Regulatory testing, especially regarding electrical and electronic sub-assemblies (EUBs), is essential. Modern vehicles heavily rely on these sub-assemblies to perform a variety of functions and tasks. Our automotive testing services ensure that regulatory aspects and industry requirements are properly considered when testing and certifying those components.

Our automotive testing and certification services also cover many common radio technologies from Bluetooth® to Car to x Communication to Wireless Power. We also perform the required tests in our state-of-the-art test facilities based on the currently applicable norms and standards. Our reports are recognized worldwide and can facilitate the market approval of various products.

Regulatory Testing acc. to RED

The Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which applies to all EU member states, covers the standards for wireless equipment used in the European Union. It was introduced in 2016 to replace the R&TTE Directive and is now the primary legislation for radio transmitting and receiving equipment. You must demonstrate compliance with the RED to register your product for CE marking.

Testing according to RED consists of several components, which are listed below. The essential requirements of RED testing are:

  • Radio Testing
  • EMC Testing
  • Electrical Safety Testing
  • Health (e.g. SAR Testing)

Radio Testing

To bring compliant radio equipment to market, various compliance regulations must be adhered to depending on the market or region. Radio testing ensures that a device makes effective use of the radio spectrum without interfering with other devices.

When evaluating device/radio performance and efficiency, radio technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, radar, short range devices (SRDs), RFID, and cellular have specific RF parameter testing requirements.

  • Cellular 2G/3G/4G/5G – EN 301 511, EN 301 908-1
  • WLAN – EN 300 328
  • Bluetooth® – EN 300 328
  • GPS – EN 300 440-2
  • UWB Testing from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz
    Europe: ETSI EN 302 065 –x, USA: FCC Part 15 F, Canada: Rule RSS-220, Japan: ARIB Standard STD-791
  • RADAR: EN 302 288 (24-GHz-Radar), EN 301 091 (77-GHz-Radar), 76-81 GHz Radar
  • RFID – EN 302 291, EN 300 330, EN 302 208, EN 300 440
    cetecom advanced also supports RFID for the applications ePassport, EMVCo Contactless, NFC
  • Wireless Power/QI-Certification – EN 303 417

EMC

All radio components in a vehicle must meet electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) specifications in accordance with the RE Directive. In this way, manufacturers ensure that unwanted electronic emissions remain within tolerable limits and that the vehicles are insensitive to external sources of interference such as other electronic vehicle components, but also, for example, TV transmitters and mobile phone base stations. This is determined in tests for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

  • Cellular 2G/3G/4G/5G – EN 301 489-52
  • WLAN/Bluetooth® – EN 301 489-17
  • GPS – EN 301 489-19
  • UWB – EN 301 489-33
  • Radar – EN 301 489-51
  • RFID – EN 301 489-3

Electrical safety

Electrical safety is a crucial fundamental requirement for the market approval of technical and/or automotive products. As a result, it is an essential component of regulatory tests and the certification. Since we are an established provider of automotive testing and certification services, we can conduct all the necessary tests and provide our customers with the required certifications for their components and products.

The European standards are defined by IEC/EN standards. Additionally, the CB program offers a global approach to market access in over fifty nations now. The US and Canadian markets require NRTL/UL certification.

  • EN 60950-1
  • EN 62368-1

Health / SAR / MPE

Measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) ensures that exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by technical devices is within specified limits. As an automotive testing services provider, we make sure that all relevant components of a vehicle are SAR-tested and thus don´t pose any health risks to consumers.

We also offer testing for frequencies above 6 GHz (above from SAR testing) – > maximum permissible exposure (MPE) according to EN 62311.

E-Mark / EMC Automotive Testing

Our labs offer technical services for the performance of tests in the following categories:

  • Electromagnetic compatibility (UN-R 10)
  • Anti-theft alarm system (UN-R 97 (Parts I and II) / UN-R 116 (Parts II and III))
  • Electronic immobilizer (UN-R 97 (Part III) / UN-R -116 (Part IV))
  • Electric vehicles (UN-R 100 (REESS))
  • Accident emergency call systems (UN-R 144)
  • Electromagnetic compatibility for agricultural-, forestry- and construction machinery (ISO 14982-1, ISO 13766-1/-2)

Certification of emergency call systems in vehicles

Emergency call systems in vehicles are vital to protect the lives of passengers in case of an accident. As an automotive testing services provider, cetecom advanced was involved in establishing specifications for eCall systems and defining appropriate certification standards.

We provide certifications for the proper implementation of the eCall emergency call system for vehicles in the European Union. We also cover ERA-GLONASS testing services and certifications for the emergency call system for vehicles in the Eurasian Customs .

OEM standards – automobile manufacturer approval

cetecom advanced can conduct various component tests according to the specifications of several automotive manufacturers. Here is a small excerpt of the manufacturers according to whose standards we can test.

  • BMW (GS 95002-2, GS 95002-5)
  • MAN (M3285, M3499)
  • Mercedes Benz (MBN 10284)
  • Peugeot, Citroen (PSA B21 7110)
  • Smart (DE 10005B)
  • Volvo (STD 515-0003)
  • VW, Seat, Skoda, Audi, Porsche (VW80000, TL81000)
  • Jaguar Land Rover (JLR-EML-CS)

Your specific requirements aren´t listed above? Feel free to contact us. We will do our best to expand our automotive testing services to cover your certification needs.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing (EMC)

To ensure that control and entertainment systems of modern vehicles operate as intended, all electronic components must meet the specific EMC requirements defined by the automobile manufacturer.

They must also comply with industry EMC standards to avoid interference. cetecom advanced provides a variety of automotive EMC testing services to guarantee full operability.

Our services

  • Conducted- and radiated Emissions (CISPR 25)
  • Absorber-lined shielded enclosure (ISO 11452-2, 200-6000 MHz / 150 V/m)
  • Harness excitation methods (BCI method) (ISO 11452-4, 10 kHz-400 MHz)
  • Stripline (ISO 11452-5)
  • Immunity to magnetic fields (ISO 11452-8)
  • Portable Transmitters (ISO 11452-9, starting from 380 MHz)
  • Electrical disturbances from electrostatic discharges (ISO 10605)
  • Electrical transient transmission (ISO 7637-2 / ISO 7637-3)

Battery Testing

When it comes to automotive testing services, cetecom advanced supports manufacturers with testing solutions and qualification services for their high-performance Li-ion battery systems. This ensures the safe and successful application of these batteries in energy storage systems and electric vehicles.

Even under extreme circumstances, it is necessary to control the extremely high electrical charge and especially the high energy density caused by the chemical elements used to avoid hazards. Since our battery safety testing services include a wide range of qualification procedures, we can provide our customers with the required certifications for their batteries.

We are also able to conduct special battery testing procedures in our facilities. Potential high-risk tests and simulations take place in an external security bunker.

Our services

  • External test facility for propagation and abuse tests on large-scale batteries and devices
  • Explosion-proof environment for critical tests
  • Footprint: 2400 mm x 2000 mm (approx. 7.84 ft. x 6.56 ft.), height: 2000 mm, max. mass for batteries in the inner testing chamber: 1.000 kg / approx. 2.204 lb

Environmental Testing

During transport or operation, many products are affected by environmental factors like vibrations and mechanical impact. Products frequently also need to withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, or solar radiation. The environmental testing laboratory at can determine whether components meet the necessary conformity requirements in terms of safety and functionality by simulating shifting environmental influences.

Our services

  • Climate Testing
  • Vibration & Shock
  • Crash Test Bench
  • Corrosion
  • Vacuum chamber
  • IP Protection classes
  • Sun simulation (artificial weathering)
  • Chemical resistance
  • Tailor-made environmental simulation tests

OTA Testing

By measuring the signal path as a whole and how well the antenna works, OTA testing ensures that the devices chosen or designed will function as intended.

Radomes Testing

The RF transmission and reflection properties of the material used to mount automotive radars behind bumpers or radomes influence both the performance of the radar sensor and the safety-critical system it supports.

For instance, inaccurate data on the range and angular position of objects will result from the radome’s inhomogeneity or excessive attenuation. As a result, it is critical to carry out precise testing throughout the process of development and production to guarantee the radome’s consistent material quality.

Automotive services at a glance

Antenna crane

  • New sophisticated 3D antenna positioning technology
  • maximum adaptability in the measurement of antenna performance
  • wide range of OTA (Over-the-Air) and antenna pattern tests on large devices

Automotive Experience Lab

  • Testing radomes and bumpers around automotive radar sensors with the QAR50 by Rohde & Schwarz.
  • The QAR50 is fast, precise, reliable and a perfect complement to cetecom advanced’s own automotive radar capabilities.

As a specialist for automotive testing and certification, cetecom advanced offers comprehensive support for the international market access of your products. This includes consulting, testing, system certification and project management – all from a single source. Do you require further information or a tailor-made testing solution? Get in contact with us via mail@cetecomadvanced.com – we will provide you with the best possible support.

 

cetecom advanced - your reliable partner for automotive radar

In the course of further developing our testing services, we have continuously invested in the modernization of our test laboratory for automotive radar systems over the past years. In particular, we have integrated new measurement equipment into our test environment to delight our customers with faster measurement times and higher precision in regulatory testing:

  • Signal and spectrum analyzer with up to 85 GHz.
  • Frequency multiplier from 50 to 170 GHz
  • Harmonic mixer

Thanks to new measurement techniques and a new signal and spectrum analyzer, we are able to reliably determine the most important parameters of your products up to 85 GHz without external mixers. This means we are ideally equipped to test future generations of broadband automotive radars. Even if the harmonics go higher, no problem for us! We cover the frequency ranges up to 325 GHz with our further calibrated “measuring stations” and the competence of our team.

The following overview shows you our offer in the radar and radio sector:

Frequency Region
Japan USA Canada Europe
77 GHz Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 8 Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment Article 49.14-12, Article 49.14-13 FCC Part 95, Automotive Radar RSS-251, Automotive Radar Ordinance concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment ETSI EN 301 091-1, Automotive Radar
24 GHz Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 8 Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment Article 49.14-11 FCC Part 15.249, Automotive Radar RSS-310, Automotive Radar Ordinance concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment ETSI EN 302 858, Automotive Radar
24 GHz UWB Ordinance concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc. of Specified Radio Equipment Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 47-2 Ordinance Regulating Radio Equipment, Article 49.27-2

Accreditations in detail

DAkkS

German Accreditation Body (DAkkS)

Our laboratory in Essen is accredited by the DAkkS according to DIN ISO 17025 to carry out a wide range of radio tests. Detailed information on the scope of our accreditation for our laboratories in Germany can be found in our accreditation overview.

KBA

Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA)

Our know-how and competence in the field of automotive EMC is reflected in the designation of cetecom advanced as a technical service (E1), among others for EMC. In our laboratories in Essen we perform test services for electromagnetic compatibility according to UN-R 10 series of amendments 06 (annexes 4-6 and 11-16).

Expertise Automotive Certification / Automotive Testing

What electronic components and systems does a modern vehicle have?

Engine electronics

In a modern car there are up to 100 engine control units (ECUs), commercial vehicles have about 40, plus around 20 to 30 actuators that pick up the electrical signals from the ECUs and initiate mechanical or physical processes.

Transmission Electronics

Chassis electronics

  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  • Traction control (Anti Slip Regulation, ASR / Traction Control System, TCS)
  • Brake Assist (BAS)
  • Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
  • Electronic Damper Control (EDC)
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
  • Parking Assistance (PA)

Driver Assistance Systems

  • Lane Keeping Assist Systems (LKAS / Lane Departure Warning System, LDWS)
  • Speed Assistant (Intelligent Speed Adaption, ISA)
  • Lane change assistant (Blind Spot Monitor, BSM)
  • Intelligent Parking Assist System (IPAS)
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Pre-Collision-Assist

Passenger comfort

  • Automatic Climate Control (Automatic A/C)
  • Electronic seat adjustment with reminder function
  • Automatic windscreen wipers
  • Automatic headlights
  • Automatic temperature control

Information/entertainment systems

  • Navigation system
  • Car-HiFi
  • Access to information

Electronically integrated cockpit systems

What are EMC tests and why are they important for the market approval of vehicles?

All vehicle electronic components must meet electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) specifications. In this way, manufacturers ensure that unwanted electronic emissions remain within tolerable limits and that the vehicles are insensitive to external sources of interference – other electronic vehicle components, but also, for example, TV transmitters and mobile phone base stations. This is determined in tests for electromagnetic incompatibility (EMC).

What do emergency call systems for vehicles such as eCall do?

Vehicle emergency call systems make an emergency call in the event of an accident – either automatically or at the touch of a button. eCall, for example, triggers a call to the single European emergency number 112. The system sends a data record to an emergency call center, which provides information about the accident situation. The minimum data record contains:

  • Time of accident
  • Place of accident (coordinates)
  • Direction of travel (relevant for motorways and tunnels)
  • Vehicle ID
  • Service Provider ID
  • eCall qualifier (information whether eCall was triggered automatically or manually)

In addition, on-board security systems can transmit other data, for example:

  • Number of occupants
  • Seriousness of the accident
  • Condition of the seat belts: fastened or not fastened
  • Possible rollover of the vehicle

Are you interested in more details on this topic or are you looking for answers to urgent questions? Please contact us. Benefit from our expert support for all challenges regarding the market approval of your products.

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