AUTOMOTIVE

JOURNAL

ni.com Q1 + 2022
Connect through
Collaboration
The New Year often symbolizes a fresh start,
a new beginning full of promise and hope and not
yet exposed to the practicalities of the real world.
It’s the “fresh” and not the “start” that’s so intriguing.
While it’s true that I am starting a new chapter
leading NI’s Transportation business and furthering
our mission to help you move faster toward Vision
Zero, it’s the “fresh” that excites me.

Fresh air from zero emissions cars. Fresh ideas in

a culture of high innovation and intense problem
solving. Fresh approaches to meeting incredibly
complicated technical challenges. Fresh thoughts
about sustainability of our planet.

At NI, we transform test from a necessary evil to a

key enabler of performance and differentiation. To
do so, we enable innovators to digitally transform
product development and manufacturing,
significantly improving time to market and quality
and operational efficiency. We do this by providing
insights throughout the product life cycle using
analytics on all product data (including test) and
by seamlessly integrating automated test into their
engineering and manufacturing workflows.

There are no shortcuts on the path to Vision Zero,

but there is a better way. Let us show you.

DRITA ROGGENBUCK
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
TRANSPORTATION, NI
05 Considering EVs? Consider Them Faster. 16 A Connected ADAS and AD Workflow:
FEATURED ARTICLE No Longer a Dream
APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT
10 Virgin Hyperloop: The Future of Transportation
INNOVATOR SPOTLIGHT 20 5G V2X Map-Based Hybrid Channel
Model Implementation
14 How Do We All Collaborate Together to Reach WHITE PAPER
Vision Zero?
CONNECTORS SPOTLIGHT
 FEATURED ARTICLE 05

Considering EVs?
Consider Them Faster.
For me, electric vehicles (EVs) have felt like a luxury—and a risk—rather than an everyday tool. Between my
range anxiety and my inexperience with EVs, I’ve deemed myself a potential late adopter of EV technology.
This means I can still take my time considering a switch to EVs, right? Maybe not.

Automakers are making it very hard to wait, and that’s a good thing. For example, General Motors announced that its Cadillac lineup will
be all electric by 2030. In addition, Honda said it will sell only EVs and hybrids in Europe after 2022 and phase out all gas cars by 2040.
[1] Also, just from CES 2022, I counted no fewer than six big announcements related to new EVs hitting the road soon. Those are big
commitments considering that EVs don’t have a century of iterative innovation like combustion cars and that regulations and technology
are constantly evolving.

In this uncertain environment, automakers are, at different degrees, managing to meet the accelerating pace by making these firm, public
commitments and investing accordingly. But ramping up new EV technologies, implementing faster product development cycles, and maximizing
quality take more than commitment and investment.

This sprint to meet EV production targets involves the race to produce the best battery in terms of safety and performance. Battery manufacturers
who want to claim the longest range and fastest charge need to conduct extensive testing to reach these goals.

How Hard Can Battery Test Be? Very.

Consider an EV manufacturer with massive walk-in chambers to house the batteries during validation. Its engineers test for capacity, peak
power, thermal runaway, overcharge, temperature cycling, protection systems, hipot (high potential), pressure decay, imbalance charge,
short circuit, and dozens of other variables over multiple temperature ranges. At the same time, they test for compliance with IEC 62660,
SAE J2464, and other standards. Managing the list of tests to perform is already a big challenge by itself.

This manufacturer falls somewhere in between the Complex Test Cell and the Multicell Lab (FIGURE 01) categories. One of its main concerns
is scaling while managing the megawatts of power, multiple batteries running different tests, high-channel counts, test cell control, the data from
results and the facility, and the coordination of test execution (which sometimes runs continuously for as long as six months) for all the packs
and modules. Its engineers faced questions such as the following:

 How do we scale from a single test cell to large, multisite, complex test laboratories?
 Do we have the right level of test-result traceability for analytics and decision making?
 Is our test repeatable to the point that we can rerun it, even years later?
 Can we efficiently reconfigure our test cells for new batteries or for more of them?
 Are we working as efficiently as possible, or are we hindered by our existing technologies and processes?

With current time-to-market and EV scrutiny conditions, the way companies and engineers approach test can separate the winners
from the losers. Unfortunately, many companies are forced to persist through testing with disparate, disconnected tools that, at best,
are cumbersome and time-consuming to manage.
1
E VERY AUTOMAKER’S EV PLANS THROUGH 2035 AND BEYOND. FORBES, OCTOBER 4, 2021.
06 FEATURED ARTICLE

MEASUREMENTS: DUT, Cell, Lab

Multicell, Connected Lab
DUT: Multiple through Life Cycle
Product Performance POWER: MW–Microgrids
DATA: Test, Facility, Life Cycle

MEASUREMENTS: DUT, Cell, Lab

Multicell Lab DUT: Multiple, Distributed
Facility Management POWER: MW–Microgrids
DATA: Test and Facility Operation

COMPLEXITY

MEASUREMENTS: DUT, Chamber

Complex Test Cell DUT: Multiple
Scalable Test POWER: kW–MW
DATA: Test Operation

MEASUREMENTS: BMS
Single Test Cell DUT: Single
Customizable Test POWER: kW
DATA: Test

FIGURE 01
Scalability is a multidimensional, interdependent problem that disparate, disconnected technologies cannot solve.

In-Chamber Measurements
Environmental Chamber DUT

Chiller

Battery Test Software

Battery Data Analytics
Battery Cycler Measurement Rack

FIGURE 02
A typical battery test lab setup includes the cycler, chamber, measurements, chiller, and software.
08 FEATURED ARTICLE

environmental conditions, and more, engineers validate

It Can Get Easier their batteries’ range and performance down to the last mile.
They also test for algorithms that improve the safety and
At NI, we understand this almost impossible situation, and we’re performance of the whole EV drive train.
making our own commitments so automakers can meet theirs. One
such commitment is to connect their test in multiple dimensions.  BATTERY EMULATION—Engineers can test how well their
battery, inverter, motor, onboard charger, or even full drive unit
The typical battery lab setup in FIGURE 02 features multiple meets control, safety, and durability requirements using power
components that need to operate in a coordinated way. Tasks as electronics devices to emulate the battery behaving any way they
simple as charging and discharging the battery with the cycler need in order to run the test.
need to perfectly synchronized with the conditions inside the
environmental chamber, the test procedures, the data capture, The combination of NI’s flexible, software-connected EV test
the measurements, and the communication with the battery platform with the power conversion and electrification test
management system (BMS). systems expertise of NHR facilitates rapid responses to changing
test needs while maintaining quality and empowering engineers to
For example, NI’s Battery Test System (BTS) works as a overcome their test challenges. Our goal is to help EV automakers
measurement rack and as the software-connected orchestrator of accelerate product development to deliver their products to
the test to enable customization and automation. NI SystemLink™, market faster so they can meet their own goals and commitments.
BTS software, and data analytics tools work together to ensure
test-result traceability, test repeatability, and proper management We believe in the long-term benefits EVs offer, and, just like
of the whole test-cell operation. From the battery cycler to the the automotive companies out there, we invest accordingly to
measurements on the pack/module, running tests with NI’s make them a reality. In other words, we want to make it easier for
software helps catch defects before they become catastrophic automakers to get to market and make it harder for people like
issues, improves product design, and ensures safety and quality. me to wait before going electric.

To offer a more complete solution to the market, we’ve expanded

our portfolio of EV power-level test solutions that provide our
customers with critical power-level test capabilities. The expansion
came about in multiple ways, one of which was the acquisition of Author
NH Research Inc. (NHR).
ARTURO VARGAS MERCADO
Through NHR, NI added capabilities for battery test, battery CHIEF SOLUTIONS MARKETER,
emulation, grid simulators, and AC/DC loads and sources. NHR’s EV BATTERY TEST, TRANSPORTATION, NI
power test equipment performance, modularity, safety, flexibility,
and scalability complement NI’s existing battery test solutions in a
way that addresses most of the challenges stated above.

Because NI already offers the measurement capabilities and

software for automating and customizing test and data analysis,
the integration of NHR completes the power electronics
required to test battery or battery-related systems in a fully
software-connected toolchain for applications such as:

 HIGH-POWER BATTERY MODULE AND PACK TESTING—By

precisely handling power to and from the battery (cycling),
engineers can test batteries as if they were in operation.
Following profiles of acceleration, braking, charging,
How do we prepare for the increasing complexity of
testing the ever-changing technology for building a car?
Managing the data life cycle across 30,000 parts is a huge challenge; without a data and
analytics infrastructure, you may hit blind spots that affect performance, quality, and profitability.

30,000 20 A SMART FACTORY

PARTS DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FROM ASSEMBLING A CAR
WHICH PARTS CAN ORIGINATE
MAY GENERATE

1 CAR
40M 1,000s 1M GB
LINES OF CODE OF MACHINES TO OF DATA PER DAY
CONSTRUCT A SINGLE CAR

According to a Leading There are no shortcuts on the path

Automotive Company
to Vision Zero.
7,000 NI is already helping automotive innovators deliver results.
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH

~1
TIER 1 AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER TIER 1 AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER

PART/MILLION FAIL RATE

50% 6 MONTH
REDUCTION IN TTM[1] ON NEW ADAS REDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT TIME
AND INCREASED PRODUCT HOMOGENEITY AND $800K SAVED IN ONE YEAR

4,000 AUTOMOTIVE OEM ASIAN OEM

96% 90%
CARS ASSEMBLED DAILY

28 ACCURACY IN PREEMPTIVELY
DETECTING FAULTY SENSORS
REDUCTION IN TEST TIMES AND
¥100 MILLION+ SAVED PER YEAR
CARS FAILED OFF
THE PRODUCTION LINE 1
TIME TO MARKET
Virgin Hyperloop: The
Future of Transportation
Imagine a world where cities are connected as easily as metro stops. A world where you can travel from Las Vegas
to Los Angeles in the same amount of time it currently takes you to drive across town. A world where you can travel
670 mph without polluting the air or harming the environment.

That’s the future envisioned by Virgin Hyperloop, and with the help of NI, they’re making it happen. Virgin Hyperloop
is presently driving a radical transformation in the transportation industry through hyperloop technology: a new
mode of transportation designed to eliminate the barriers of distance and time for both people and freight.

We had the chance to sit down with Trevor Hanken, a member of the test automation team at Virgin
Hyperloop, and Alexander Wolpe, who manages the test software group, to talk about what Virgin Hyperloop’s
journey has looked like thus far, how NI empowers the team to achieve their goals, how partnership opportunities
enabled by NI are driving innovation, and what the future of mobility will look like.

The Future of Mobility

Virgin Hyperloop is on a mission to create fast, effortless journeys that expand possibilities. How are they planning to do that? With the
introduction of hyperloop, the Virgin Hyperloop team is transforming the way we think about mobility and creating viable, sustainable
alternatives to modern transportation.
 INNOVATOR SPOTLIGHT 11

Currently, professionals working in large metropolitan areas are associated hardware. Essentially, this team writes software to both
faced with challenges ranging from heavy traffic during lengthy control the stimulus to the device under test (DUT), and log any
commutes to added time spent away from loved ones as a feedback from the DUT and attached sensors.
result of living outside the city. These issues not only negatively
impact these individuals and their families but also pose greater Every hardware component and test system, as well as their
environmental challenges in the form of traffic congestion and supporting software, come together to create a system that
energy consumption. reinvents mass transportation as we know it. While developing
this revolutionary system presents unlimited opportunity, there’s
Transportation that operates at unprecedented speeds is also a responsibility that is thrust upon the Virgin Hyperloop team.
exciting for everyone, whether you’re tired of commuting or simply
passionate about traveling and exploring. The introduction of Thus, this project is driven by a few key pillars:
hyperloop would also open doors for new possibilities of accessibility
by stimulating new economies and creating opportunities for people  SPEED—Hyperloop is set to transport people and products
to live and work in areas that would otherwise be unattainable. The 3X faster than high-speed rail and more than 10X faster than
benefits of this transformational innovation in the transportation traditional rail
industry are far-reaching.  SUSTAINABILITY—This transportation system joins the
fight against climate change by creating a more efficient and
conscientious travel system
What Is Hyperloop?  SAFETY—Extensive testing is done to ensure dependable and
reliable transportation for every passenger and every ride
Expected to provide direct and on-demand transportation, the  EXPERIENCE—This new state-of-the art transportation system
hyperloop system consists of vehicles called “pods” that travel warrants a one-of-a-kind travel experience that revolutionizes
in a near-vacuum tube at speeds that can reach approximately modern transportation
670 mph, or 1080 km/h. The novel experience that results from this
new mode of transportation is one that is people-first and focuses Hyperloop is trailblazing the transportation industry, and it will
on safety, comfort, and convenience. ultimately minimize congestion, accelerate travel speeds, reduce
energy consumption, and create a more sustainable travel economy.
One of the reasons that Virgin Hyperloop can achieve such high
speeds is the utilization of magnetic levitation in tandem with
near-vacuum tubes. As you might expect, there are many teams Achieving Vision Zero
working together to ensure the success of this project, from building
individual components to managing the control systems that levitate At the heart of conversations surrounding the future of mobility is the
and guide the pods themselves as they move through the tube. responsibility we have as human beings to, as we like to say here at
NI, engineer a healthy planet. Fortunately, NI and Virgin Hyperloop
Both Hanken and Wolpe are core members of the test software share a common goal of accelerating the path to Vision Zero,
group, with Hanken specifically working in test automation. He and which calls for zero emissions, zero collisions, and zero congestion.
his team are responsible for testing the behavior of hardware Between traffic congestion, accessibility limitations, and pollution,
components that make up a hyperloop system, as well as we’re ready and hopeful for a new era of transportation that’s able
sub-systems that are composed of both controllers and the to sustain humanity for the next 100 years.

We are dealing with the effects of pollution and congestion, and with hyperloop, we
can create a new standard for what 21st century travel looks like: One that is going
to get us where we want with airline speeds and with zero direct emissions.
Trevor Hanken
Test Automation Engineer, Virgin Hyperloop
 “By working closely with NI, we have
been able to find the right subject
matter experts and partners to help us
in building out our many test systems
in such a short time.”
Alex Wolpe
Software Test Team Manager, Virgin Hyperloop

Embracing an efficient and environmentally friendly future of Virgin Hyperloop selected Genuen to help them build out their
mobility presents its own set of unique challenges but is absolutely flight control’s hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system, which enables
necessary to drive the movement toward Vision Zero. Hyperloop the Virgin Hyperloop team to verify and validate the embedded
sets out to tackle this challenge head-on with plans to have a lower software as implemented in the embedded hardware design.
environmental impact than other modes of transportation and an According to Wolpe, Genuen has been very essential in helping
emphasis on zero direct emissions, as it is 100% electric. the Virgin Hyperloop team design an HIL system system that can
meet the demanding requirements of the flight control team and
With the ability to travel at airline-like speeds for long distances in their simulation environment.
a fully autonomous capacity, which may eliminate human error and
avoid weather hazards, the future of mobility is looking bright. From
professionals yearning to reduce the carbon footprint garnered by Using NI Test
long commutes to the wanderlust-stricken people hoping for faster
and more efficient methods of travel, everyone can celebrate this and Methodology
transition to a renewable energy-powered future.
Testing hyperloop pod components and embedded control
systems can be time-consuming without a simulation environment.
NI Is Connecting Experts That’s where the HIL side of things comes into play. The HIL team
at Virgin Hyperloop is responsible for testing the behavior of
with Each Other controllers by integrating models into HIL systems. This allows
the team to test out the “real life” behavior of controllers without
Beyond providing hardware and software support to Virgin needing to have the fully assembled product. Using traditional
Hyperloop, NI’s partner network has been pivotal in helping the team methodology could be both cost-prohibitive and time-restraining.
achieve its vision. Truly, one of the most valuable and important
cornerstones of NI is our ability to connect companies with experts Part of the verification and validation process involves getting as
and technology to transform transportation, inspire innovation, and much reliability and robustness through a simulated environment
drive performance. as possible. In fact, collaboration with NI was crucial in creating
an HIL system system capable of emulating all controllers of a
Specifically, Virgin Hyperloop has benefited greatly from working hyperloop pod, all built on the same platform, NI VeriStand.
alongside Genuen, a team historically known for creating
test systems and simulated, real-world environments that The value of the multi-year journey Virgin Hyperloop has sustained
produce the data needed to create reliable products or meet with NI is underscored by the openness and scalability that our
imperative regulations. platform provides the team, especially in adhering to timelines. The
 INNOVATOR SPOTLIGHT 13

team agrees, “Having all components of these systems seamlessly From hardware and software to partnerships and continued support,
integrate with each other has dramatically reduced our turnaround we are beyond excited to be a part of Virgin Hyperloop’s journey to
time for creating such a system. Additionally, it makes it much bring forth the future of mobility.
easier to maintain and adapt to new requirements and test cases.”
So, what’s next for the Virgin Hyperloop team? Well, after the
The HIL system is just one example of the way this team has success of the team’s first-ever hyperloop test in November 2020,
pushed the boundaries of what they are able to accomplish. Virgin where passengers traveled 100 mph in only six seconds, they plan to
Hyperloop has also utilized NI hardware and software applications continue leveraging NI’s evolving test technology and test solutions
like CompactRIO systems and LabVIEW software technology to to support their plans for reinventing mass transportation and
accelerate timelines and drive optimal performance. executing their bold vision. Stay tuned and keep up with the Virgin
Hyperloop team to witness innovation and performance at its finest.

Expanding Possibilities
From the test software side of things, one thing is certain: Virgin
Hyperloop plans to continue working with our team here at NI for Authors
all testing needs as they continue to trailblaze the transportation
industry and redefine 21st century travel. TREVOR HANKEN
TEST AUTOMATION ENGINEER III, VIRGIN HYPERLOOP
Thus far, our test technology has played a crucial role in supporting
the commercialization process as Virgin Hyperloop develops ALEXANDER WOLPE
and begins to bring its product to market. As Hanken points MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING, VIRGIN HYPERLOOP
out, it’s clear that moving from research and development
efforts to prototype testing to fully-developed-system testing BRENDA VARGAS
to manufacturing and end-of-line testing for quality requires SENIOR SOLUTIONS MARKETING MANAGER,
extensive testing at each step of the product life cycle. TRANSPORTATION, NI

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NI AS A SERVICE SERIES

How Do We All Collaborate

Together to Reach Vision Zero?
NI Partners and customers know that reaching Vision Zero is not just an objective—it is the only objective.

The new NI as a Service Series examines the different approaches NI and its partners use to help customers
tackle challenges, make good decisions, and put into practice the optimal processes to achieve Vision Zero.

In the automotive industry, only the companies that continue to optimize and adapt to change will survive. At NI,
our mission is to support our customers through these changes.

Understanding the areas our customers want to improve helps us translate requests and needs into viable
project plans and delivery. This is how NI Professional Services add value, from providing guidance on technical
approaches to delivering complete system solutions.

Three of our services are specifically targeted to improve development processes, generate higher added
value, and accelerate goal achieving to help our customers reach Vision Zero.

Resident Engineering Services

Our resident engineers (REs) are dedicated technical professionals who work daily alongside your staff at your location. They act as partners
and advisers as they study your organization’s processes, requirements, strengths, and limitations. They deliver high business value, ensure
seamless transitions, and accelerate development.
 CONNECTORS SPOTLIGHT 15

Christine Brandewie, an NI RE working with Rivian for the last Integration

six months, has one goal for her project at the electric SUV and
pickup truck manufacturer. Brandewie’s main purpose is to decrease Engineering Services
the time Rivian’s engineers spend customizing NI solutions to their
needs by incorporating real and direct feedback that shortens Through NI Integration Engineering Services, we are working
goal-achieving time schedules. Access to firsthand feedback that together with our extensive network of partners to provide a
can be used right away is one of the main advantages of working wide range of options that can assist customers with designing,
as an RE. developing, and deploying the most complex systems.

Brandewie’s project at Rivian focuses on hardware-in-the-loop David Pratt, senior product manager for NI Professional Services,
systems, which involve many different technical components said that he actively collaborates with his team and NI Partners
communicating with each other and working together in synergy. to produce comprehensive solutions that deliver desired
As she said, “These are not simple to make or test!” outcomes to customers. These solutions provide unique value by
combining technical offerings with professional service capabilities
A large part of her job on-site is troubleshooting and resolving issues specifically packaged to overcome the challenges customers face.
with software configurations that are slowing down development.
The immediate feedback she receives from Rivian’s engineers helps The NI Professional Services team is excited to align the delivery
her find and resolve problems quickly. of our services with customers’ workflows and expectations, and
to coordinate with our transportation-focused partners across
the industry to help one another. Our flexibility and customization
Methodology to meet customers’ needs helps them achieve their goals at a
variety of levels.
Consulting Services
Ultimately, our colleagues’, partners’, and customers’ feedback has
When best-in-class companies need help developing test strategies given us unprecedented visibility into their challenges and enables
to drive business insight, NI works to connect people, ideas, and us to build a clear picture of how we can work together to achieve
technology. This is the main job of Stephen Channon, senior the Vision Zero objective faster without compromising safety.
consultant for NI Methodology Consulting Services. With more than
25 years of experience in the automotive field, Channon can assess Change remains constant (see Q4 2021 Automotive Journal), so
the industry as a whole and better understand customers’ needs adapting to these changes, emphasizing flexibility, and developing
and points of view. new and better strategies for our customers’ upcoming challenges
are the keys to success.
According to Channon, a key element in collaborating with our
customers has been their interest in how we can help them Do not miss next quarter’s NI as a Service Series article! We will
determine and implement a new workflow, for example, the use explore different projects designed to reach Vision Zero.
of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD).
They want strategies to better manage their software and test
configurations to accelerate their test processes. For example,
a customer asked us to help refactor its test bench software
into smaller elements to reduce future qualification workload Author
and to speed up test development time. That is exactly what
we did, because at the end of the day, it really is all about digital KONRAD STEGEMANN
transformation, enabling our customers to be more efficient. FIELD MARKETING MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION, NI

Channon added that some of the most important assets we

can leverage on the path to Vision Zero are the new capabilities
NI has gained through acquisitions and the significant role that NI
has been playing in the test data field with SystemLink™ software
and the O+ platform. These continue to resonate more in the AN NI PARTNER IS A BUSINESS ENTITY INDEPENDENT FROM NI AND HAS NO AGENCY,
industry and show their value. PARTNERSHIP, OR JOINT-VENTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH NI.
 A Connected ADAS
and AD Workflow:
No Longer a Dream
In the Q4 2021 Automotive Journal, we dived into how mastering the
advanced driver assistance systems/autonomous driving (ADAS/AD)
validation workflow relates a lot to solving puzzles, competing in sports,
and participating in the rush for gold and oil (see “Solving the ADAS and
AD Puzzle Together”). This is NI’s view, but some of our strategic partners,
Ansys, Foretellix, Konrad Technologies (KT), and Seagate Technology,
are sharing their perspectives on this with us as well.

JEFFREY PHILLIPS: WHO ARE development and sales, I help my team

YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR SUBJECT drive the company’s growth from direct
MATTER EXPERTISE? sales and partnerships such as ours
with NI.
Eric Bantegnie: Ansys is the global
leader in engineering simulation. Through Michael Konrad: KT is a global supplier
our strategy of Pervasive Engineering of automated test equipment in
Simulation, we help the world’s most multiple markets including consumer
innovative companies deliver radically electronics, automotive, medical, and
better products to their customers. By aerospace/defense. We’ve been an NI
offering the best and broadest portfolio Partner since 1996. I am the founder and
JEFFREY PHILLIPS of engineering simulation software, CEO of the company.
DIRECTOR, GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY, we help them solve the most complex
TRANSPORTATION, NI design challenges and create products Melyssa Banda: Seagate Technology
limited only by imagination. In my position is a world leader in mass-data storage
as vice president, I am currently acting as infrastructure solutions. My role in
a special adviser to the CEO and as CTO leading our Lyve Mobile Solutions is to
of Ansys Europe. help businesses mobilize their massive
data sets and maximize the value and
Roy Fridman: Foretellix provides a test insights they’re able to gain from their
management, verification, and validation data. This includes providing enterprises
platform for ADAS/AD systems. Our in the ADAS/AD space with in-vehicle
platform orchestrates, manages, and storage capacity, modular edge solutions
analyzes the massive scale of meaningful to off-load data and an agile, affordable,
tests and edge cases required to ensure and secure architecture.
that these systems have been tested
successfully in all the relevant scenarios.
In my role as vice president of business
 APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT 17

JP: WHAT TRENDS AND CHALLENGES MB, Seagate: ADAS/AD customers MK, KT: A connected workflow is
DO YOU FORESEE IN ADAS/AD? are experiencing challenges with the necessary to optimize designs at each
explosion of data volume. Data collected step of the development process and
EB, Ansys: Products and systems from vehicles’ sensors, including cameras share key attributes across these
are becoming increasingly complex, and lidars, has seen a more than five- steps to reduce overall development
interconnected, and interdependent. fold increase in just a few years, and will time. Data-driven and analytics-based
Projects also run the risk of cost continue to grow exponentially. There development efforts are necessary for
and schedule overruns and product is an increase in artificial intelligence successfully deploying safety-critical
failure while losing to the competition (AI)-based algorithms involved in the ADAS/AD functions, and a data- and
on superiority and time to market. perception systems. The validation of software-connected workflow will offer
To meet these challenges, there is a these ADAS/AD engine control units such capability.
strong industry focus on implementing (ECUs) will be mandatory with each
a model-based systems engineering feature update—even when only a few MB, Seagate: In recent years, we
(MBSE) approach that creates a digital lines of software code are changed. have seen a major disruption in the
thread that can be shared, continually More and more data will be in the loop for automotive software space. Due to the
improved, and managed throughout testing. All this data needs to be captured, need to continually evolve the vehicles’
the product life cycle. MBSE enables moved, and analyzed with workflows that perception and decision-making
our customers’ digital transformation control cost, quality, and time to data. capabilities, the vehicle’s software
journeys with the digital thread providing architecture has been altering. From
the framework for continual feedback JP: WHAT’S YOUR AUTOSAR to real-time operating
and incremental opportunities to model, PERSPECTIVE ON A DATA- AND systems (RTOSs), this architecture
simulate, refine, and validate throughout SOFTWARE-CONNECTED WORKFLOW? expands into Linux, open-source
the product life cycle—from design and software, and AI that enable the growth
development through operation. EB, Ansys: MBSE is a key driver for of the vehicle’s code and capabilities,
digital thread and digital transformation and data is essentially the fuel of this
RF, Foretellix: Modern vehicles have initiatives. Our customers, including large process. The more data captured
become complex digital products, but automotive, aerospace and defense, in real-life scenarios, the better the
their development and testing tools and and high-tech OEMs, contractors, and vehicle’s logic and decision-making
methodologies have yet to undergo their Tier 1 suppliers, are switching to an capabilities will be.
own digital transformation. Most of the MBSE methodology within the different
tools lack scale and automation and life-cycle phases and functions, and will JP: HOW DOES A DATA- AND
are not suitable to meet the challenges eventually expand to the digital thread SOFTWARE-CONNECTED WORKFLOW
of these complex digital products. The that spans from design and development HELP ADDRESS THESE TRENDS
industry is shifting to massive scale through operation. AND CHALLENGES?
virtual testing, automation, and advanced
analytics. RF, Foretellix: As cars become more EB, Ansys: As AI systems in autonomous
digital, they depend on data, create data, vehicles increase in design complexity,
MK, KT: Key trends for the automotive and basically become data centers siloed tools for information sharing, such
market are the increasing adoption on wheels. This data can be utilized in as paperwork and spreadsheets, break
of ADAS/AD capabilities, a greater many ways to drive new approaches to down. That’s where MBSE comes in. It
need for reliable test methods, and an monetize the car, increase safety, and allows for work from end to end—from
ever-decreasing time to market for much more. It is our goal to provide a concept to certification—and starts
these new features. Primary challenges platform and tools that help development to become the only way to handle
are evolving standards for ADAS/AD teams test these complex digital autonomous vehicle development to
performance, new and evolving sensor systems with advanced automation. We safety-critical standards.
capabilities, and an archaic and insufficient also offer strong analytics tools that help
multiyear development process. reduce cost, decrease time to market, RF, Foretellix: The ability to collect,
and ensure safety. share, and analyze data at scale from
physical and virtual sources (real
 driving, simulation, and so on) is key to companies will help solve the complex
MELYSSA BANDA properly testing and deploying ADAS/AD challenge of re-creating real-world
VICE PRESIDENT, LYVE MOBILE functionality. Companies such as NI simulations to validate sensors and
SOLUTIONS, SEAGATE and Foretellix drive data collection, inject data into software and hardware
generation, analytics, and insight. under test in real time. This shared
focus will provide customers with critical
MK, KT: A connected workflow will insights into how products will perform
enable reuse of best practices and in the market by bridging the worlds of
data at different phases to shorten simulated and physical test with more
development cycles and time to precise outcomes.
market. It will also provide incremental
improvements in software design to RF, Foretellix: The challenge of automated
accommodate developing standards driving is an ecosystem challenge. No
and changing sensor specifications company can solve it alone. Alliances of
and create higher quality designs for companies providing best-in-class tools
prototype development. and methodologies to support safer
ADAS/AD features are crucial for the
ERIC BANTEGNIE
MB, Seagate: We are helping the industry broad deployment of these systems.
VICE PRESIDENT, SPECIAL
by enabling carmakers and suppliers
ADVISER TO THE CEO, ANSYS
to free their cash from storage and IT MK, KT: Working with subject matter
infrastructure and focus it on the goals experts and platform providers like NI
that matter most to them: evolving and ensures a consistent understanding
accelerating their novel technologies of the challenges and a productive
and IP around ADAS/AD and securely experience for our common users and
connected services. Together, NI and partners in the ecosystem. For a smaller
Seagate are providing an innovative company, it also presents an opportunity
ADAS record offering that allows OEMs to work on bigger projects within the
and suppliers to modernize their data automotive ecosystem.
storage strategy from self-managed to
storage as a service (StaaS). This leads MB, Seagate: To provide the best
to reduced costs and efficient storage solutions for OEMs and suppliers, it
ROY FRIDMAN throughout the entire data flow and takes the world’s leaders in respective
VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS accelerates customers’ access to data specialties. With NI’s long-standing
DEVELOPMENT AND SALES, and ability to innovate. reputation and expertise in automotive
FORETELLIX testing, as well as Seagate’s expertise
JP: HOW AND WHY DOES AN in mass data storage, we are building a
ECOSYSTEM OF SUBJECT MATTER comprehensive portfolio of solutions,
EXPERTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE? allowing OEMs to share data more
efficiently among endpoint, edge, cloud,
EB, Ansys: As MBSE becomes more or any locations. With that, we help to
prevalent, being able to connect reduce development time and cost.
simulations to physical hardware is
of the utmost importance. Without JP: WHAT HAS BEEN THE FEEDBACK
this connection, true verification and FROM CUSTOMERS SO FAR ABOUT THE
validation of systems cannot take place. COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM WITH NI?
Due to this connection, Ansys and NI can
shorten complex product development EB, Ansys: We have heard from
cycles and ensure that components customers at joint engagements that
behave as designed. Together, both the openness of the collaborative
MICHAEL KONRAD
FOUNDER AND CEO, KT
 APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT 19

ecosystem compared with being locked into a unique solution JP: THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE. 2021
by a vendor is very much appreciated. Some key benefits HAS BEEN A GREAT START TO ESTABLISHING ALL THESE
mentioned are ease of reuse and flexibility as well as the STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. IN 2022 AND BEYOND, WE ARE
cost-effectiveness of the solution. LOOKING TO EXTEND OUR COLLABORATION EFFORTS FURTHER
WITH YOU. NO SINGLE ENTITY WILL ACHIEVE AUTONOMOUS
RF, Foretellix: We get a lot of positive feedback on the joint DRIVING ALONE, BUT AN ECOSYSTEM WILL!
toolchain proposed by NI and Foretellix. Customers prefer
strong alliances with companies that are able to work together
and streamline the massive amounts of data needed to validate
the ADAS/AD algorithms in an efficient way.

MK, KT: The feedback on offering new test capabilities and

services to the automotive ecosystem has been positive and
optimistic. It is seen as encouragement for Konrad Technologies
to participate in a wider range of automotive applications.

MB, Seagate: Today’s Level 3+ campaigns generate about

100 TB of data from each vehicle every day. Customers are
running on at least three continents and requiring captured data
to be validated and available in the cloud within days. We are
talking about 1 PB that needs to flow into our customers’ core
(cloud) daily. This is no task for niche vendors. Seagate’s Lyve THE REGISTERED TRADEMARK LINUX® IS USED PURSUANT TO A SUBLICENSE FROM LMI,
THE EXCLUSIVE LICENSEE OF LINUS TORVALDS, OWNER OF THE MARK ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS.
Mobile Solutions are designed to help our customers rethink the AN NI PARTNER IS A BUSINESS ENTITY INDEPENDENT FROM NI AND HAS NO AGENCY,
entire data flow and find a new way to manage their data. PARTNERSHIP, OR JOINT-VENTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH NI.
20 WHITE PAPER

5G V2X Map-Based Hybrid

Channel Model Implementation
With the increasing maturity of 5G V2X technology, the wireless channel model based on stochastic behavior
is unable to conduct accurate channel emulation for a specific scene, which makes the current communication
on-board unit (OBU) performance evaluation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) system difficult.
As a deterministic modeling method, raytracing (RT) can theoretically achieve accurate simulation based on
a digital map. However, due to its high computational load, it cannot simulate vehicular networking channels,
especially in multi-user/link scenarios. In recent years, graph theory, as an effective and accurate semi deterministic
model, has offered the characteristics of high computational efficiency and modeling accuracy. This paper introduces
a new multiusers V2X channel simulator based on a digital map using graph theory. In the end, we present some test
results to verify the system.

Index Terms—V2X, Channel the calculation of scattering scenes based on RT will lead to a
significant increase in the calculation of time.
Emulator, Map Based, 5G
Recently, a new geometric–stochastic channel modeling approach
With wireless network evolution, a cellular network provides based on graph theory has been proposed, which can simulate
increasing capacity to support more vehicle communication multiple-bounce scattering to several interactions in a very
function. In recent years, the design goal of the 5G vehicle- efficient way. In graph theory channel models, propagating paths
to-everything (V2X) standard has been to solve the multiple are represented as sequences of branches (edges) connecting
communication mechanisms brought by autonomous vehicles. nodes (vertices, representing scatters) [8].
It is very important to introduce a channel model that can be
used to verify V2X performance. In this paper, we propose a graph theory-based channel model
implementation for V2X. The channel emulator can realize the
Current wireless channel models can be classified as stochastic emulation of specific channels for multiple users which makes it
or deterministic models. The widely used stochastic channel easy to be integrated into the vehicle scene test for verification
model is known as the geometry-based stochastic channel of communication performance.
model (GSCM). According to the cluster modeling method, the
GSCM can be further divided into Winner type and COST type.
The former includes the 3GPP spatial channel model (SCM), Channel Model
extended SCM (SCME)[3], Winner, Winner II[4], Winner+ (WIM+),
and QuaDRiGa [5]. The latter is COST-type GSCM[7]. Implementation
The main problem with stochastic models is that they cannot Overall architecture of the channel model
perform accurate channel analysis for the specific scenario. Generally, the emulator is divided into two parts:
To solve the problem, a map based deterministic channel model software and hardware.
is taken into consideration.
In the software, the channel emulator mainly realizes the process
In the past few years, deterministic channel models such as ray of user settings, channel coefficient calculation, and hardware
tracing (RT) have been used increasingly. access control. In the hardware, the channel emulator completes
multiuser CIRs reloading, real-time tapped delay line (TDL)
The main problem of ray tracing is using it to model the accurate channel filtering, and some hardware accelerating.
power delay spectrum (PDP) [1],[2]. This is mainly because
 WHITE PAPER 21

The main software The main hardware

The core tasks of the software for the channel emulator includes The solution uses NI software defined radio (SDR) hardware.
parameter setting, geometric path calculation, propagation
coefficient calculation and CIR acquisition. The PXIe-8135 PXI Controller is an industrial-grade embedded
controller featuring Windows OS. The PXIe-5646 PXI Vector
The simulator setup module includes a map-importing section, Signal Transceiver (VST) executes AD/DA conversion as well as
a V2X scene setup for a typical V2X scene type, and wireless RF upconversion and downconversion as the core components
channel setting which including wireless channel type, frequency, of the channel emulator. PXIe-7965R FPGA Modules are
antenna attributes, number of users, and path or location the coprocessor of the VST that add channel fading to input
planning for each user and roadside facilities. signals in baseband by the Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA in the module.
Multiple PXIe-7965R FPGA Modules form a computation pool,
After the parameters setting is complete, the system software which processes the data from all VST channels linked by the
discretizes the building surface according to the input digital PXI Express bus. All these components are integrated in a PXI
map and abstracts it as vertex sets. The software records Express bus via the PXIe-1085 PXI Chassis.
the coordinates of each vertex set and the normal direction
of the surface. The embedded controller completes the software part of
the channel emulator and the configuration of different RF
When the vertice sets are accomplished, visibility analysis among hardware resources, including the real-time reloading of
different vertices is dynamically generated based on the position multiuser CIR coefficients and the selecting and switching of RF
of the vertices and the movement trajectory of the communication channels. In the FPGA module, a finite impulse response (FIR)
transceiver terminal. The visibility of each pairs of two nodes is filter is used with the overloadable CIR coefficient to realize the
realized by detecting whether the vector connecting the two nodes updated channel TDL model. At the same time, some matrix
intersects the surface according to their position and the position of operations and inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operations
the surface. After finishing visibility analysis, the propagation diagram are implemented in the FPGA to optimize computing efficiency.
has now been established.

After the geometric propagation path is determined, the propagation

coefficient of each available link is calculated, and matrices D(f)
PXIe-8135 PXIe-7965 PXIe-5646
R(f) T(f) and B(f) at a specific frequency are calculated. During the
calculation of matrix T(f) and R(f), the antenna radiation patterns are
also embedded into calculation.

When D, T, R, and B sub matrices are generated, the matrix inverse

can be calculated, and the channel transfer function can be achieved.

Finally, after Fourier inverse transformation (IFFT) to the transfer

function, the final CIR is obtained.
PXIe-1095
The CIRs of multiple users will be stored in the corresponding
storage space, and the CIRs reloading and hardware emulation
will be conducted based on the fact that the schedule controller
will download the corresponding CIR to the hardware part of the FIGURE 01
channel emulator at the corresponding sending time of the user. Hardware Solution with PXIe-5646 PXI Vector Signal Transceiver
22 WHITE PAPER

PARAMETER VALUE COMMENTS

Multi-Channel 4x1x1 4 channels synchronization processing. Each one is 1x1

Maximum RF
200 MHz 200 MHz
Bandwidth

Tapped-Delay-
Line Sampling 200 MSPS PXIe-5646 ADC and DAC have 16-bit resolution
Rate

This is currently implemented as a sample-based tapped delay line. Fractional delay filters
Delay Resolution 5 ns
would not use.

Maximum Delay 20.6 µs Maximum tap delay

Power
Power normalization of all paths
Normalization

TBL
Hardware System Specifications
01

Conclusion
In this paper, a new channel simulator based on graph theory is proposed, and the reliability of the system is verified by some test results.
In the future, this system will further optimize for the multi-user V2X scenario.

Acknowledgment
Finally, we would like to give our sincere gratitude to the National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant No. 2018ZX03001031-003)
for the consistent funding among other support.

Authors
YUNSONG GUI
5G AND FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY GROUP,
NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY, LONDON, UK

HAOWEN WANG
CEO, ZOX TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

1
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1717–1728, JUL. 2004.
2
J. POUTANEN, J. SALMI, K. HANEDA, V. KOLMONEN, F. TUFVESSON, AND P. VAINIKAINEN, “PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS OF DENSE MULTIPATH COMPONENTS,” IEEE ANTENNAS WIRELESS PROPAG.
LETT., VOL. 9, PP. 791–794, AUG. 2010.
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C. JANSEN ET AL., “DIFFUSE SCATTERING FROM ROUGH SURFACES IN THZ COMMUNICATIONCHANNELS,” IEEE TRANS. TERAHERTZ SCI. TECHNOL., VOL. 1, NO. 2, PP. 462–472, NOV. 2011.
4
V. DEGLI-ESPOSTI ET AL., “RAY-TRACING-BASED MM-WAVE BEAMFORMING ASSESSMENT,” IEEE ACCESS, VOL. 2, PP. 1314–1325, NOV. 2014.
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A. RICHTER, “ESTIMATION OF RADIO CHANNEL PARAMETERS: MODELS AND ALGORITHMS,”.
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T. PEDERSEN AND B. FLEURY, “RADIO CHANNEL MODELLING USING STOCHASTIC PROPAGATION GRAPHS,” IN PROC. IEEE INT. CONF. COMMUN. (ICC’07), JUN. 2007, PP. 2733–2738.
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LI TIAN, VITTORIO DEGLI-ESPOSTI, ENRICO M. VITUCCI, AND XUEFENG YIN, “SEMI-DETERMINISTIC RADIO CHANNEL MODELING BASED ON GRAPH THEORY AND RAY-TRACING,” IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON
ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION, VOL. 64, NO. 6, JUNE 2016.
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3GPP TR 38.901 R15 “STUDY ON CHANNEL MODEL FOR FREQUENCIES FROM 0.5 TO 100 GHZ”.
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