Solution for live and simulated testing of vehicle SIM cards

Anritsu, Thales and European car manufacturer Groupe PSA have merged what is claimed to be the world’s first solution capable of testing a vehicle with embedded SIM cards in a laboratory environment and a live mobile network, with rapid switching between the two.

Based on Anritsu’s MD8475x base station simulator platform and Thales’ On-Demand Subscription Manager, the solution enables Groupe PSA to run a full laboratory test of vehicles with the eSIM integrated into a car’s Telematics Control Unit.

The eSIM in the car provides a profile letting it connect to the mobile operator’s network delivering connectivity to PSA group vehicles. Currently, only one environment, live or laboratory, could be employed in the validation and verification test of the vehicle.

Employing the Thales OSM, the profiles are able to be conveniently switched over the air at the press of a button. During integration, the solution demonstrated it could change from the live to the test profile and back again - initially connected to the live Mobile Network Operator, the eSIM switched its connectivity to the test radio network from the base station simulator.

Martin Varga, EMEA Wireless and Custom Solution Team Leader at Anritsu says: “Working with our partners, the integration of this unique new solution shows that Anritsu has the ability to support a wide range of demanding test environments. By speeding up the testing of vehicles with embedded SIM cards and giving testers complete control of the test regime, it will bring immense benefits to any industry where this technology plays a leading role.”

Cyril Vialleton, Architecture Network Security for Connected Car at Groupe PSA says: ‘’Today this technology brings many advantages to Groupe PSA, such as great flexibility for the teams in charge of current and future telematics gateway development of our vehicles. It also allows validation of the eSIM use cases - the OTA MNO migration campaigns for our connected services international development, for example, and enable simplified homologation process approvals for emergency call (eCall) of our vehicles.’’

Christine Caviglioli, VP automotive at Thales, says: “With more than 240 connectivity platforms already deployed, Thales has proven expertise in eSIM technology and related subscription management services. Our partnership with PSA and Anritsu demonstrates how to swap connectivity provider for vehicles in a laboratory environment. Together we are building trust in the safety of connected cars.”