OmniAir's Cyber Security Working Group creates its first validation series

OmniAir’s Cyber Security Working Group creates its first validation series

The Cyber Security working group of the OmniAir Consortiums, one of the leading industry associations for promoting interoperability and conformity certification for connected vehicles, has set itself the goal of developing cyber security tests and specifications for DSRC based vehicle components. It wants to extend the existing OmniAir DSRC-V2Xcertification programme with cyber security checks.

Now the developments are picking up speed. The working group participants, representatives of automobile manufacturers, tier-one-suppliers, device manufacturers and leading cyber security experts have developed the first validation series. This will be tested at the OmniAir’s Plugfest from 22-26 October in Texas, with direct feedback from test laboratories, test solution providers and suppliers.

Since October 2017, the OmniAir Konsortium requires independent third party testing and certification for DSRC-V2X devices, including conformity and interoperability tests. As the first OmniAir approved test laboratory for DSRC-V2X technologies, 7layers welcomes this decisive step of the consortium. A perfectly functioning “automotive ecosystem” requires not only that the device communication takes place in compliance with the communication protocols, but also that critical safety information is protected – and that throughout the entire life cycle of the device.

Cyber Security – topic at the “Ecosystem Automotive” 7layers Congress in November – save the date!

By holding this convention, 8 – 9 November 2018 in Frankfurt, 7layers would like to create an information- and networking-platform. It will be of interest for people working in the field of product management and business development. Trendsetters, service providers, product developer, certifying and type approval providers will debate: Which mutual or opposite targets, expectation and challenges are there concerning products, applications, cyber security, launches and user benefits? What is the current state of affairs? What is the trend? What experience have been made? What will the future bring?

More information and registration for the congress will be available from September 2018 at www.7layers.com

20 Years of Bluetooth®: 7layers were in on it right from the start

20 Years of Bluetooth^®: 7layers were in on it right from the start

The Bluetooth^® Special Interest Group was founded in 1998. A then modest number of its members have taken on a pioneering role in the field of mobile development of voice- and data transmission. Today Bluetooth SIG consists of 33,000 members. Apart from perfecting and distributing a flexible, reliable and safe wireless connecting solution, the driving of innovations as well as new markets and the IoT, are now the group’s targets. After a bumpy start with a single headset in the year 2000, the Bluetooth SIG has rapidly developed further and has enhanced its specifications. Today you can find Bluetooth in all fields of industry. From entertainment, automotive and health to building automation and industry 4.0. In this year alone, 3 billion Bluetooth^® devices are expected to be sold in consumer-, commercial- and industrial markets.

As a Bluetooth SIG member, 7layers has been deeply involved in the development of early Bluetooth qualification programs right from the very beginning. With decades of experience, Bluetooth Qualification Test Facilities (BQTF) and Bluetooth Qualification Consultants (BQC) 7layers supports companies, from consulting and testing to qualifying, which are launching Bluetooth devices and innovations all over the world.

Bureau Veritas' Insights on H1 2018 Group Performance

Didier Michaud-Daniel, CEO Bureau Veritas, shares his insights on H1 2018 Group performance.

In H1 2018, Bureau Veritas made significant further progress with its transmission plan. The Group’s organic revenue increased by 3.5% with growth of 4.4% in the second quarter. This reflected sustained growth for the 5 Growth Initiatives – Smart World, Automotive, Building & Infrastructure, OPEX and Agri-Food – and an improving trend for the base business.

>> Watch the Interview on YouTube

SIM Card Interface Conformance Testing by 7layers

Testing for mobile end-products, modules and reference designs

Applicable for GCF certification, PTCRB certification, and Verizon Wireless device approval program
Validates interoperability between a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) and a mobile device, independently of the respective manufacturers and operators
Testing includes the programming voltage and current, parameters to calculate extra guard time requested by the card, etc.

>> Read more

World’s first V2X certified device tested by 7layers – Bureau Veritas

World’s first V2Xcertified device tested by 7layers – Bureau Veritas

While there are many DSRC-V2X products on the market, there is only one which has gained certification through OmniAir’s connected vehicle certification conformance program, Commsignia’s Smart City On Board Unit. This first ever device certification is a critical milestone in deploying Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication technology nationwide in USA; an initiative that has its roots in the Mobility 2000 initiative in the late 1980s with the envisioning of advanced vehicle control systems.

Developed to support the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program, OmniAir Certification verifies that wireless enabled transportation products meet connectivity and interoperability testing requirements developed from IEEE and SAE communication standards for the V2X technology. A vital step in widespread V2X implementation, certification allows device manufacturers to obtain long-lasting security and trust credentials. Securing certified or trusted communications devices is the key to seeing national deployment of these life-saving devices and will help ensure that users can trust that the components will work within the system.

“Our Connected Car team has worked very closely with OmniAir as well as Commsignia and the test equipment partners in recent months in support of this major achievement,” commented Jennifer Gasparian, Automotive Market Segment Manager at Bureau Veritas. “This program is instrumental in making our roads safer, and vehicle transportation more efficient and environmentally friendly.”

“We are delighted to be able to support this ground breaking development,” continued Gasparian. “As the first OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory (OATL) in the world, Bureau Veritas is proud to be the first OATL supporting the world’s first certified V2X device. We now anticipate a sharp increase in the number of companies pursing OmniAir Certification to verify their V2X device.”
V2X communication is the passing of information from a vehicle to any entity (vehicle, pedstrian, infrastructure, device, grid) that may affect the vehicle, and vice versa with its main motivations being significant improvement in safety, congestion and energy savings. The wireless technology behind the certified V2X device was Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), a vehicular communication system based on WLAN technology.

As a longstanding partner and member of OmniAir, 7layers – a Bureau Veritas Group Company – is a leading testing and certification partner for companies seeking to meet DSRC and Cellular V2X standards worldwide.

7layers provides full NB-IoT and LTE Cat. M certification services for GCF and PTCRB

7layers provides full NB-IoT and LTE Cat. M certification services for GCF and PTCRB
NB-IoT and LTE Cat.M have been identified as very important 3GPP technologies to support the connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Both cellular certification groups, GCF and PTCRB, had already implemented suitable requirements for the validation of NB-IoT and LTE Cat.M devices, modules and platforms. The corresponding validation methods are based on conformance testing, performance testing as well as field testing.

Especially for field testing, the GSM Association created a new test specification (TS.40) that was released recently. Conformance testing is based on the given 3GPP LTE standards.In terms of performance evaluation, CTIA took the lead and they implemented appropriate requirements into their RF antenna performance test specification.

7layers is an active member of GCF, PTCRB, ETSI, 3GPP, CTIA and GSM A and 7layers is fully authorized for all most recent certification services. “We are leading many IoT activities within various groups and we offer all defined certification services”, explained Thomas Jaeger responsible for Business Developments and Innovations at 7layers. “For example, 7layers has been deeply engaged in the development of the new TS.40 test specification sourced by the GSM Association. 7layers was the only certification service provider being involved. We got very deep knowledge that we share with our client since we have a direct access to the first available cellular IoT networks”.

For more information about the NB-IoT and LTE Cat.M certification programs, please contact 7layers at info@7layers.com

LoRa Alliance certification program

LoRa Alliance^TM certification program
One of the goals for 2018 is to increase the number of certified devices available in the market.

For any technology to scale within an open ecosystem with multiple vendors it is critical to give confidence of interoperability. The LoRa Alliance^TM certification program for LoRaWAN™ device, sensor and module manufacturers is promoted by 7layers. Being certified gives manufacturers the right to use the official LoRaWAN^TM Certified logo and it helps to market their products accordingly.

7layers is an active LoRa Alliance^TM member and it is also authorized for device, sensor and module certifications and performance evaluations. “We are part of the Alliance activities now since three years and we have seen a very fast growing ecosystem”, said Thomas Jaeger responsible for Business Developments and Innovations at 7layers. “7layers helps all kind of IoT stakeholders to prepare and finalize their products and services for successful operations. This includes also the LoRa Alliance^TM certification program. We are offering all related services”.

For more information about the LoRa Alliance^TM certification program, please contact 7layers at info@7layers.com

Approval Body – Japanese Telecommunications Law

7layers in Japan, part of Bureau Veritas Japan, now Registered Approval Body for Telecommunication Business Law

7layers is proud to announce that on November 22, 2017 Bureau Veritas Japan Co., Ltd., together with its wireless expert “7layers”, was registered by the Minster of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), as “Registered Approval Body” under the Japanese Telecommunication Business Law.

“With this official registration for ‘Japanese Telecommunication Business Law’, our company successfully enhances its already existing registration for the ‘Japanese Radio Law’”, explains Tadatsune Takei, Operating Officer at 7layers in Japan, part of Bureau Veritas Japan. “The Japanese certification processes for devices with integrated wireless connectivity differ fundamentally from those in Europe and North America. Depending on the integrated technologies and the type of equipment, certification has to be in accordance to the Radio law AND the Business law or just one of them. 7layers is an expert in guiding you through the complex procedure.”

The 7layers group has run accredited test laboratories for wireless connected end-products and modules for many years and is an expert in providing international market access throughout the world. With this newly gained official registration in Japan, 7layers is now an outstanding partner for all those companies that are bringing radio devices and smart IoT products to the highly lucrative Japanese market. Since many of the technical specifications required in Japan are only available in the Japanese language, it is vital to have a Japanese partner. Irrespective to which 7layers or Bureau Veritas wireless test laboratory you turn to, the 7layers experts from the Japanese location efficiently conduct the complex submission and certiﬁcation processes required for Japanese market access for any wireless enhanced device.

For more information please contact info@7layers.com or use our contact form.

LoRa Certification for Asia

LoRa Certification for Asia
7layers – authorized to provide LoRa Alliance Asia End Device certification services

Ratingen, Germany, 15.11.2017: Following the LoRa authorizations for Europe, USA and Canada, which were granted to 7layers as one of the first 3rd party independent test laboratories since 2016, the company can now offer LoRa test & certification services for the global marketplace. 7layers has been successfully authorized for the LoRa Alliance Asia AS923MHz Region End Device Certification.

Since 2015 7layers has been deeply engaged in the development of new LPWAN device assessment methods, including this latest achievement, valid for various Asian countries. The LoRa Authorization for the Asian market was granted to 7layers by the LoRa Alliance after a successful technical audit.

LoRa Alliance Asia AS923MHz Region End Device Certification

The new LoRa AS923 requirements are valid for products operating between 915 and 928 MHz. There are several Asian countries where ISM band spectrum is still available in between these frequencies. As a result, LoRa technology is being used more and more in Asia.

“We are proud to be one the first authorized LoRa Alliance consulting, test and certification services providers to offer LoRa certification for the Asian market”, says Thomas Jaeger, responsible for Business Development and Innovations at 7layers. “Currently device makers and IoT service providers are preparing for various markets around the world. 7layers is able to support a global approach by covering the American, European and Asian market requirements – now also for the LoRa technology”.

More details about the LoRa technology

LoRa Alliance Web site: https://www.lora-alliance.org/certification-overview
7layers LoRa Certification Services

LTE Cat-M1 test solution for UICC requirements

LTE Cat-M1 test solution for UICC requirements
New LTE Cat-M1 test package for the Interlab Test Solution DEVICE/UICC covering GCF and PTCRB certification requirements

7layers , Ratingen, 13. Nov. 2017: With Release 13, 3GPP has specified LTE Cat-M1, a low power wide area (LPWAN) technology in licensed spectrum for enhanced machine type communication (eMTC). The technology is used for M2M / IoT applications in areas such as smart home, smart metering, building automation, smart factory, automotive & transportation services, mobile-health applications etc.

“To ensure interoperability between the UICC, integrated in LTE Cat-M1 devices, the radio devices themselves and the mobile networks they are using, GCF and PTCRB have developed new certification requirements”, explains Magdy Ahmed, product manager of the Interlab Test Solution DEVICE/UICC. “We have therefore extended our proven test solution with a further test package, especially geared to evaluate the USIM and USAT applications of LTE Cat-M1 devices. Thanks to its reliability, ease of use and cost effectiveness, the test solution is already in use on a global scale for mobile phone certification testing. With this new test package the solution will also enable the evaluation of the large number of M2M / IoT devices, heading for the global market.”

New LTE Cat-M1 test specifications and certification requirements of 3GPP

To enable the authentication of LTE CAT-M1 devices accessing mobile networks and services and to support security critical applications, the 3GPP test specifications TS 31.121 Rel-13 and TS 31.124 Rel-13 include additional USIM and USAT tests for the UICC integrated in LTE CAT-M1 devices.

Based on these specifications, both GCF (Global Certification Forum) and PTCRB have introduced new certification requirements for the qualification of LTE Cat-M1 devices in conjunction with the USIM and USAT features of the integrated UICC, such as

GCF WI#125M
GCF WI#137M
GCF WI#230M
PTCRB RFT 82
PTCRB RFT 102.

LTE CAT-M1 test package for USIM and USAT certification – available now

For a smooth and highly automated test process, 7layers has extended its Interlab test solution DEVICE/UICC with the required certification test packages for LTE Cat-M1 USIM and USAT. The commercially available test package runs on our Interlab test solution DEVICE/UICC in conjunction with the R&S CMW500 network simulator.

For more information on our long proven Interlab Test Solution DEVICE/UICC and the new LTE Cat-M1 USIM/USAT test package please take a look here or contact info@7layers.com