Digital Key Test Solution

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Automated Test Solution for NFC Forum

The Digital Key relies on NFC for communication, making NFC interface validation and certification an essential part of the development process. Our NFC Forum-approved conformance test solution covers all of the defined test cases and supports automated execution of the required NFC measurements. The solution is based on COMPRION’s Device Test Center test execution software and evaluates devices under defined test conditions. For analog testing, an industrial-grade robot is used to automate measurements with different positions and orientations.

The validated NFC Forum solution is based on the UT³ Platform. For pre-conformance testing, the CL Verify A provides a cost-effective alternative. To learn more, visit:

NFC Forum Test Solution

CCC Digital Key Test Solution

The CCC Digital Key Test Solution is developed for engineers to prove interoperability and ease the debugging process of NFC- and BLE-based car access solutions in compliance with the latest Car Connectivity standard. It features real-time communication monitoring for seamless capture and analysis of contactless communication. Moreover, our solution offers a functionality for CCC Digital Key™ protocol translation. For the Digital Key based on NFC, real-time disturbance of the communication enables engineers to simulate diverse scenarios during comprehensive testing. With its efficient test case management capabilities, the solution facilitates test execution and automation, ultimately delivering dependable and precise results for keyless entry systems.

Our solution was designed specifically to cater to the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) Digital Key™, End-to-End Interoperability Test Suite. It serves as a vital tool for automotive companies and device manufacturers engaged in the digital key implementation process.

Who is it for?

Authorized Car Connectivity Consortium members working on the digital key according to CCC standard, including but not limited to:

Automotive manufacturers
Automotive suppliers
Smartphone, and smart device manufacturers
Certification laboratories
Quality assurance teams

CCC Digital Key Certification

The Car Connectivity Consortium unveiled its CCC Digital Key Certification for the Digital Key based on NFC, aiming to establish worldwide compatibility for vehicle and mobile digital key apps using consistent standards and validated tools. COMPRION is the provider of the validated CCC End-to-End Interoperability Test Tool for NFC.

CCC Digital Key NFC Test Bench

CCC Digital Key NFC Test Bench

The CCC Digital Key NFC End-to-End Interoperability Test Bench is the core of our CCC Digital Key Test Solution. It runs on COMPRION's established CL Verify A hardware and Device Test Center test management platform to enable comprehensive testing for CCC Digital Key implementations based on NFC. The solution is validated by the CCC and supports both automotive development processes and CCC-defined conformance testing.

Setup

This diagram illustrates the test setup orchestrated by an operator. The operator is auditing the End-to-End (E2E) interoperability tests according to the certification program.

Software components:

NFC log viewer
Displays the NFC protocol with translation into human readable format
Test Framework
Test plan management software running test cases

Hardware components:

NFC Sniffer
NFC traffic monitoring over the air using a spy antenna
NFC Disturb Unit
Jamming communication, causing a deliberate error

NFC Test Cases

The test cases comprehensively verify the NFC protocol and evaluate whether the expected behavior and message patterns occur at the correct time. They cover the following areas:

Owner pairing test cases, including test cases for error handling.
Door transaction test cases, including test cases for error handling and friend device handling.
Console transaction test cases.
Key management test cases for owner and friend digital key termination (offline/online).

Components

The CCC Digital Key Test Solution for NFC includes the following components that together enable comprehensive testing and verification of NFC-based car access solutions:

CL Verify A
COMPRION's contactless testing tool for validation of contactless interface design.
Device Test Center - CCC Edition
Sophisticated test plan management software and NFC log viewer.
CCC Digital Key NFC End-to-End Interoperability Test Bench
WCC1 (NFC only) according to Car Connectivity Consortium specification.
A set of monitoring (spy), and disturb antennas.

CCC Digital Key BLE Test Bench

CCC Digital Key BLE Test Bench

The CCC Digital Key BLE End-to-End Interoperability Test Bench enables comprehensive monitoring and analysis of Bluetooth Digital Key communication. It processes HCI log files captured on the mobile device for detailed analysis. Alternatively, the solution provides an interface for connecting to an Ellisys Bluetooth Tracker as an optional third-party component. It supports the Digital Key engineering process by enabling detailed analysis and verification of product implementations.

Setup

This diagram illustrates the test setup orchestrated by an operator. The operator is auditing the End-to-End (E2E) interoperability tests according to the certification program. The operator can either use a recorded HCI log-file or use Ellisys Bluetooth Tracker for live capturing of BLE communication.

Software components:

BLE log viewer
Displays BLE protocol with translation into human readable format
Test Framework
Test plan management software running test cases

Optional hardware component:

BLE Tracker
Live capturing of Bluetooth Low Energy communication

Test Cases

The test cases thoroughly examine the content of the BLE protocol. A result is generated based on whether the expected pattern matches at the correct time. The included test cases cover the following areas:

Owner Pairing
Passive Entry
Driving Readiness
RKE
Interoperability with Key Fob

Components

The following components are required to perform comprehensive testing and verification of Bluetooth Low Energy-based car access solutions:

Device Test Center - CCC Edition
Sophisticated test plan management software and BLE log viewer. Prepared to be integrated with Ellisys' Bluetooth Tracker.
CCC Digital Key End-to-End Interoperability Test Bench
WCC2 (BLE only) according to Car Connectivity Consortium specification.

BLE tracking hardware must be purchased separately!

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NFC Forum CR15 Explained

Discover what NFC Forum Release 15 mean for the future of contactless technology. This video explains the major technical and user-experience improvements — especially the extension of the operating range from 5mm to 20mm — and highlights how the automotive industry is driving adoption through the digital car key use case.

COMPRION Launches New CCC Digital Key Test Solution for BLE

COMPRION has expanded its range of digital key testing solutions with the introduction of the CCC Digital Key Test Solution for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

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Automated Testing for Apple CarKey MFi

Developing a vehicle that supports digital car keys on Apple devices requires extensive NFC testing. COMPRION automates complex measurement procedures for key aspects of Apple Car Key development, helping automotive suppliers and manufacturers reduce manual effort and obtain consistent, traceable test results.

COMPRION provides an end-to-end testing solution that combines a powerful test management platform, Apple-specific test benches, and the required measurement hardware, including an integrated Dobot robot. Alternatively, an API enables you to integrate and control your own robotic positioning system. Our solution automates complex positioning and measurement processes, eliminating the error-prone need to perform hundreds of measurements manually.

Test Benches

COMPRION translates the relevant Apple CarKey testing requirements into test cases, organized into two test benches. They automate complex NFC measurements and provide reproducible, traceable results. The test benches cover both the spatial performance of NFC readers and the timing behavior required for reliable device detection and communication:

Reader Compatibility Operating Volume: Automated testing of NFC communication at defined positions, orientations, and distances.
LPCD + Polling: Measurement and evaluation of relevant NFC timing parameters for door handle readers and center consoles.

Reader Compatibility Operating Volume

Testing NFC communication across the complete operating volume of a vehicle reader requires measurements at numerous positions, orientations, and distances. Manual testing quickly becomes time-consuming and difficult to reproduce.

The COMPRION Test Bench automates the positioning and measurement process. A robot moves the Apple reference devices through precisely defined measurement points around the reader, enabling consistent and reproducible testing across more than 590 positions.

Quick NFC Signal Analysis with the Integrated Digital Oscilloscope

LPCD + Polling

LPCD and polling behavior are key parameters for NFC-based vehicle access. Verifying the relevant timing parameters traditionally requires an oscilloscope and manual evaluation of measurement results.

COMPRION integrates the required oscilloscope functionality into the test hardware. The software automatically performs the measurement and evaluation, eliminating the need for a separate oscilloscope and reducing manual effort.

Components

The Digital Key Test Solution for the CarKey MFi includes the following components that together enable comprehensive testing of NFC-based car access solutions for Apple devices:

CL Verify A and CL Quantify
COMPRION's test hardware for validation of contactless interface design.
Device Test Center with Design Validation Center extension.
Sophisticated test plan management software and NFC log viewer.
NFC Reader Compatibility Operating Volume according to Apple's MFi specification.
LPCD + Polling Test Bench according to Apple's MFi specification.
A set of NFC monitoring (spy) antennas.

Building on the CCC Digital Key Test Solution

Apple Car Key testing builds on many of the same NFC test principles and hardware already used for CCC Digital Key. COMPRION extends its established CCC Digital Key Test Solution with dedicated Apple Car Key test cases, allowing existing test environments to be leveraged for additional testing requirements.

Already using a COMPRION CCC Digital Key test solution? Talk to our experts about extending an existing test environment with Apple CarKey testing capabilities.

NFC Forum CR15 Explained

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