These two new additions to Rohde & Schwarz's eCall solutions range enable the first testing of 5G Next Generation eCall systems with the R&S CMX500 tester, contributing to the introduction of 5G NGeCall. eCall, the automatic emergency call system for vehicles sold in the European Union, was introduced in 2015 and has been a mandatory requirement for all new vehicles sold in the EU since 2018. eCall systems currently use 2G/3G circuit-switched mobile networks. Given the gradual replacement of these networks within a few years, emergency call systems (both in-vehicle systems and infrastructure) will need to be adapted to the new 4G/5G packet-switched mobile networks. The European Commission's initiative to update eCall standards and legislation to facilitate the transition of the eCall system to 4G and 5G networks is already underway.

The automotive industry needs NGeCall testing solutions to integrate new NGeCall functions into eCall modules. These modules must comply with the CEN TS17240 technical specification, which addresses protocol conformity test cases and specifies additional comprehensive conformity test cases for eCall, as stipulated by the 3GPP and the Internet Engineering Task Force. The PCT5-KC625 test case package, which runs on the R&S CMX500, was published in July 2023, and the test cases were validated at the GCF Meeting, establishing the foundation for NGeCall module manufacturers to meet the testing requirements for successful NGeCall type approval. The new R&S CMX-KA098 software package for the R&S CMX500, which includes the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for 5G NGeCall, complements the test package with additional test functions to perform comprehensive conformity tests in accordance with CEN TS17240.

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