Rohde & Schwarz and COMPRION offer combined test solution for remote SIM provisioning of eSIMs

Rohde & Schwarz has announced a collaboration with mobile test specialist COMPRION that gives telecommunication solution providers a method for testing remote SIM provisioning (RSP) of embedded UICCs (eSIMs) required for Industry 4.0 and connected car applications.

The test solution is based on the COMPRION eUICC Profile Manager and the R&S CMW500 mobile communication tester or R&S CMW290 functional radio communication tester for cellular network simulation. For the certification process of the ERA-GLONASS based eCall system, RSP will be mandatory from 2020 onwards.

The automotive industry is driving the connected car with features like eCall and V2X (vehicle-to-everything). And, as we enter another industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0, the growth in machine-to-machine (M2M) applications is driving the demand for cellular network radio modules in order to enable the Internet of Things.

In general, each of the before mentioned cellular network radio modules require a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), commonly known as a SIM, in order to register with the network operator. If the module is located in a remote location, such as a wind turbine, it can be challenging to change the SIM when required.

An embedded UICC (eUICC), or eSIM, is an evolution of the SIM card, tailored to meet the requirements of miniaturization, ruggedness, and security. It is a physical electronic device that is soldered into a radio module and allows the profile data to be modified or updated via the cellular network. Compliance and interoperability testing of this feature is imperative before modules are deployed in the field.

Ensuring that eUICC profile updates work each time

A set of tests defined by the GSMA, as part of the GlobalPlatform Card Compliance Program, ensure that key capabilities, such as downloading a new operator profile, function in the manner that they should. These tests focus on the eUICC itself, not taking the device into account.

However, mobile network operators (MNO), test houses, and device manufacturers need to make sure that updates over the air (OTA) will also work if the eUICC is soldered into a device, where the interoperability of the device and the eUICC is the focus.

Mandatory functionality for ERA GLONASS based eCall

New vehicles exported to and registered in the Russian Federation and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) must be equipped with the ERA-GLONASS emergency call system. From 2020 onward, technical regulations determining the RSP capability of the integrated eSIM of such an eCall system, will become standard (GOST 33470, chapter 9).

Consequently, remote SIM provisioning becomes a mandatory functionality to be supported in ERA-GLONASS In-Vehicle Systems, creating demand for new test solutions.

Combined test solution from the two T&M experts

The required eSIM OTA test can be completed by using a combination of the COMPRION eUICC Profile Manager test software and the R&S CMW500 mobile communication tester or the R&S CMW290 functional radio communication tester.

With the aid of the R&S CMW-Z10 shielding box with antenna coupler, the solution provides the complete mobile network simulation necessary to test the RSP functionality of the eSIM using COMPRION’s test software. Successful completion of tests show adherence to the GSMA SGP.02 technical specification as required for module certification of an ERA-GLONASS in-vehicle system.

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