sps ipc drives Industrial solutions with wireless technologies benefit from 7layers radio technology expertise
28 – 30 November 2017 Germany
Nuremberg Exhibition Centre Hall 10, Booth 422G
Area “wireless in automation”
sps ipc drives is Europe’s leading exhibition for electric automation, systems and components. As an expert in wireless technologies, 7layers will present is engineering services and comprehensive test & certification portfolio for connected devices, sensors and industry 4.0 processes. We look forward to meeting you at sps ipc drive.
Supporting smart automation projects with wireless technologies
The 7layers team looks forward to helping you set up your wireless automation projects. Rely on our expertise when it comes to questions such as:
Which aspects do I have to consider, when choosing a wireless technology for sensors and actors in a manufacturing environment?
What are the rules & regulations, to which wireless-connected automation devices have to adhere to?
How can I validate that a factory automation process works reliably – end-to-end?
How can I streamline the market access process?
Our colleagues from Bureau Veritas Nuremberg will also be present at the event. They are experts in environmental tests (temperature, vibration, shock etc.) and EMC testing of larger objects in their 10m anechoic chambers with a loading capacity of up to 3 tonnes.
7layers is a Sigfox accredited supplier of consulting, test and certification services 7layers wireless expertise is being enhanced with Sigfox’s device-to-cloud communication approach
Ratingen, Germany, 24 Oct. 2017: 7layers, an international provider of engineering, testing and certification services with years of experience in the wireless field, has now become a Sigfox accredited supplier of consulting, test and certification services.
Sigfox, a leading provider of connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT), is establishing a worldwide network with which billions of so-called “low-energy devices” can be connected to the Internet as simply as possible.
Sigfox specific consulting, testing and certification
7layers is proud to be accredited to provide Sigfox specific consulting, test and certification services which are part of the Sigfox Ready™ Certification Program for end-products.
In addition, 7layers works together with Sigfox on the Sigfox Verified™ Certification Program for modules and reference designs. Manufacturers are welcome to work with 7layers during their development phase.
For a smooth, international market access of Sigfox certified devices, 7layers provides additional capabilities such as
pre-testing to prepare for a smooth Sigfox certification and/or regulatory approval process
regulatory testing and global type approval services for modules and connected devices
consulting services to optimize the RF performance of wireless connected devices
technical consulting & engineering services for IoT services providers
“In a broader context, our relationship with Sigfox enhances the support we can give to new IoT service providers who are using this technology”, states Thomas Jaeger, responsible for Business Development and Innovations at 7layers. “In combination with many other cellular, LPWAN and short range IoT technologies, 7layers has stepped up now to be a really leading consulting, engineering, test and certification organization that covers all important global IoT technologies”.
About 7layers: 7layers, an international group of engineering & test centers, supports industries employing wireless technologies such as 4G, 3G and 2G, DSRC, ERA-GLONASS, LoRa, Bluetooth® and others. Manufacturers of wireless enhanced devices, component manufacturers, IoT services providers, network operators and technology associations benefit from working with 7layers. The group runs accredited test laboratories in North America, Europe and Asia offering consulting & engineering, conformance & interoperability testing, certification & global type approval. 7layers also develops off-the-shelf and customized test set-ups. 7layers belongs to the Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, serving a large variety of industries. For more information visit www.bureauveritas.com
LTE Category M test and certification services from 7layers Three 7layers laboratories have already been PTCRB accredited for LTE Category M test and certification
Last week at the most recent PTCRB#89 meeting in Dallas/Texas, three 7layers entities have been PTCRB accredited for LTE Category M test and certification. The organizations are located in Irvine/California, Ratingen/Germany and Beijing/China.
7layers, a Bureau Veritas Group Company, is currently the only organization covering this important cellular IoT technology on a global basis. LTE Category M has been adopted by many cellular operators around the world providing connectivity for IoT services.
“We are proud to continue our strong developments within 7layers to strengthen our market leader position in IoT device and service assessments”, explained Thomas Jaeger, responsible for Business Developments and Innovations. “Traditionally being strong in cellular services, 7layers is now engaged in all wireless IoT technologies addressing smart services including also LoRa, Sigfox, NB-IoT, Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11p, Zigbee and many others. No other organization in the world can currently offer this range of consulting, engineering, testing and certification services for the IoT smart world”.
1st LoRaWAN 1.1 Certification workshop hosted by 7layers in Ratingen/Gemany
The LoRa Alliance had scheduled it first LoRaWAN 1.1 Certification workshop on the 7th and 8th September 2017 hosted by 7layers in Ratingen/Germany. The face-to-face meeting was chaired by Derek Hunt who is responsible for the LoRa Alliance Certification Committee. It was attended by major contributors on current and future test specifications. “It is an important step to prepare now the next generation of test specifications for devices that also can support new LoRaWAN 1.1 features such as roaming”, said Thomas Jaeger responsible for Business Developments and Innovations at 7layers. “We are proud to be part of the these developments that will lead to new service applications”.
7layers – first authorized test laboratory for DSRC-V2X technology Conformance Certification in Emerging Connected Vehicle and Automation Market
Irvine, California, 7th September 2017
7layers has been authorized by the OmniAir Consortium to become the first OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory (OATL) for Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) based Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology. This makes 7layers part of OmniAir’s commercial Connected Vehicle certification program, launching October 1, 2017.
OmniAir’s certification program
OmniAir’s certification program provides third party accredited laboratory testing and validation of DSRC-based V2X devices to ensure that device manufacturers, suppliers and automotive OEMs entering the V2X market develop products that conform to industry protocol standards and specifications, to bring about trusted device communications.
7layers, a Bureau Veritas Group company, runs engineering and test centers specializing in wireless technologies. 7layers supports the development, testing and market access processes of connected devices, as well as the set-up and maintenance of smart IoT services through its test products and services. With facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, 7layers works with manufacturers, network operators, technology developers and organizations supporting wireless technologies across multiple industries, including the fast-growing automotive market with its Vehicle-to-Everything applications. As a member of OmniAir, 7layers participated in developing the Connected Vehicle Next Stage Certification Program, initiated by the USDOT.
Benefits of the connected vehicle certification program from OmniAir
“Independent, third party certification for interoperable devices is a vital step that reveals a level of readiness and maturity of the technology,” said OmniAir Consortium’s, Executive Director Jason Conley. “Security certificate authorities are also looking at third party certification to serve as a litmus test deciding which devices will receive production certificates.”
“7layers is thrilled to be selected as the first OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory for the Connected Vehicle certification program,” remarked CEO Fernando Rodríguez of 7layers, Inc. “We expect this program to be an important step in making our roads safer, and vehicle transport more efficient and environmentally friendly. As an OATL, 7layers now has the chance to support industry innovation through certification, by letting good quality products stand out in the V2X market.”
OmniAir Consortium was founded over 10 years ago, with the express purpose of promoting communications conformance and interoperability among intelligent transportation technologies, irrespective of the communications platform. OmniAir and its members have worked collaboratively with transportation stakeholders to develop requirements and specifications for both tolling and Connected Vehicles. Since 2012, OmniAir has certified RFID tags and readers used in electronic toll collection systems.
About 7layers
7layers, an international group of engineering & test centers, supports industries employing wireless technologies such as 4G, 3G and 2G, DSRC, ERA-GLONASS, LoRa, Bluetooth® and others. Manufacturers of wireless enhanced devices, component manufacturers, IoT services providers, network operators and technology associations benefit from working with 7layers. The group runs accredited test laboratories in North America, Europe and Asia offering consulting & engineering, conformance & interoperability testing, certification & global type approval. 7layers also develops off-the-shelf and customized test set-ups. 7layers belongs to the Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, serving a large variety of industries. For more information visit www.bureauveritas.com/cps and www.7layers.com. Contact: marketing@7layers.com
About OmniAir
OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification in ITS, tolling, IoT technologies and connected vehicles. OmniAir’s membership includes public agencies, private companies, research institutions and independent test laboratories. Learn more about OmniAir at www.omniair.org.
NB-IoT USIM Test Bench available from 7layers 7layers introduces a new NB-IoT USIM Test Bench according to GCF WI#266
As part of Release 13, 3GPP has specified an independent, new radio interface, the Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT), also called LTE Cat NB1. NB-IoT has been optimized for machine type communication, operating in licensed spectrum. Due to its low power consumption and narrowband wide area radio characteristics, NB-IoT allows for a large range of devices and services for Internet of Things (IoT) applications to be connected in a cost-efficient and secure way.
Due to the security and service related core functions of a UICC, included in mobile terminals, new USIM and USAT conformance tests for NB-IoT terminals are now part of the test specification 3GPP TS 31.121 Rel-13 and TS 31.124 Rel-13. Based on this new standard, Mobile Network Operators can ensure the authentication of the terminals that are accessing their networks and services. UICC cards can also support additional security capabilities and toolkits which can be used by IoT services providers to enhance the security and services of their IoT solutions.
In order to cover the growing market requirements for secure, low power, wide area technology, the Global Certification Forum (GCF) has introduced a new work item – WI#266 – for the qualification of NB-IoT terminals in conjunction with their USIM and USAT features.
7layers, in a joint cooperation with one of Asia’s leading chipset manufacturers, has developed a new test bench for NB-IoT USIM, to ensure conformity with 3GPP standards of IoT and/or M2M devices equipped with NB-IoT modules.
This new NB-IoT test bench from 7layers, which can be run on the InterLab test solution DEVICE/UICC, in combination with the R&S CMW500 network simulator, is commercially available immediately.
LTE Cat-M1 test and service environment available at 7layers 7layers supports development and certification of IoT services and devices based on LTE Cat-M1 technology
LTE Cat-M1 (also called eMTC) technology is one of three low power wide area technologies operating in licensed spectrum bands, that have been standardized and published in 3GPP Release 13. LTE Cat-M1 is suited for the many smart IoT services that are emerging just now. Possible use cases can be found in the industrial environment, the smart home and building sector, for logistic applications, as well as for wearables and m-health applications.
LTE Cat-M1 devices are low cost. They feature a long battery life and reduced service efforts due to lower maximum data rates. Mobile network operators all over the world have begun with the modification of their cellular networks and implementation of LTE Cat-M1 technology to support the roll-out of new, smart IoT services and devices.
7layers is a long-standing member of 3GPP and leading certification groups such as GCF and PTCRB. As such the company has assisted during the development of the LTE Cat-M1 standard and is now supporting chipset, modules and device makers adopting the new technology for their upcoming product developments.
The LTE Cat-M1 service environment has already been integrated into the 7layers test laboratory set-up. Based on this extension of its test capabilities and its outstanding wireless expertise, the company is ready to support clients with product development services and certification of the resulting devices according to the latest LTE Cat-M1 requirements.
“Not just limited to product verifications, 7layers is also assisting service providers to set-up their IoT services and maintain the required service quality level, based on LTE Cat-M1 and/or other IoT technologies”, states Thomas Jaeger, Director Global Business Development and Innovations at 7layers. “We are convinced that the 3GPP cellular technologies are an important piece in the IoT puzzle for many uses cases, complementing other wireless technologies”. 7layers is a full member of ETSI and the 3GPP. Amongst others, the organization is authorized to provide GCF, PTCRB and CTIA certification services on a global scale.
ERA-GLONASS certification organized by 7layers Component and vehicle certification for ERA-GLONASS via 7layers, the Vehicle-2-X experts
Ratingen, 17 July 2017: ERA-GLONASS emergency calling systems, which have to be installed into vehicles such as cars, busses or trucks within in the EURASIAN Customs Union, are expected to reduce the impact of road casualties considerably.
As reliability and interoperability are key for such a life-critical system, ERA-GLONASS certification requirements demand a number of tests which have to be passed successfully for either the in-vehicle component certification or certification of the complete vehicle. A confirmation of conformity is then issued by an ERA-GLONASS certification body, accredited by e.g. BSCA, the national accreditation body of BELARUS.
7layers, a well-known partner of the German automotive industry, has years of experience in bringing wireless-connected automotive devices to the global market. The company has now extended its offerings with ERA-GLONASS certification services. The test services encompass all relevant ERA-GLONASS standards for both component and vehicle certification. For certification 7layers is cooperating closely with BV-VEO in China, a subsidiary of its parent company Bureau Veritas.
“We have been very eager to complement our connected-car portfolio with ERA-GLONASS services for our long standing automotive clients”, says Thami Elidrissi, Director Sales and Business Development at 7layers in Germany. “Thanks to our years’ of experience, we cannot only provide excellent project handling services for ERA-GLONASS certification, but can ideally combine this with further services such as pre-testing, antenna and module integration and other international market access services.”
About 7layers: As a group of engineering & test centers specializing in wireless technologies, 7layers supports the development, testing and market access processes of connected devices, as well as the set-up and maintenance of smart IoT services. Stakeholders in IoT processes, such as manufacturers and suppliers of connected devices, wireless component manufacturers, network operators, application developers and the service providers themselves use the 7layers services and supporting tools.
7layers services for connected devices encompass Radio/EMC testing, interoperability, field and conformance testing; certification as well as international type approval (RED, FCC, ISED Canada etc.). these services are complemented with antenna and module integration; RF consulting;
IoT Services are supported by 7layers with technical consulting, analysis of suitable technologies, reviewing requirements, benchmarking plus the development of specifications, quality policies, test specifications and test cases. 7layers also provides Interlab Test Products, including the new Interlab EVO Test Management System for the verification lifecycle management of connected devices and Smart Services and a range of Interlab Test Solutions.
7layers’ service centers and/or accredited test labs are located in the USA, Germany and Asia. 7layers belongs to the Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, serving a large variety of industries. About BV-VEO: BV-VEO, a Bureau Veritas company, is a Chinese leading technology company specializing in homologation, market access & technical consulting services to the automotive industry. BV-VEO provides a large range of homologation services for full vehicle and automotive components covering E/e mark, GCC, ERA GLONASS, etc.
LoRa Device Certification extended with Antenna Performance Evaluation New antenna performance evaluation for LoRa devices – already available at 7layers
7layers has extended its scope of LoRa certification services with new LoRa RF antenna performance requirements. LoRaWAN, a low-power wireless network protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and services, is based on an open industry standard called “LoRa”, which is managed and controlled by the LoRa Alliance. Generally speaking, IoT services depend heavily on reliable connectivity, since the loss of a radio connection can lead to the interruption of an IoT service and disappointed users. Eventually it may even put the whole business case of an IoT services provider at risk. Therefore, it is very important that all wireless components in an IoT service system meet the expected performance criteria and secure the dependable transmission of data.
To achieve this, the LoRa Alliance has been active in developing a new RF antenna performance test specification in addition to the LoRa core specification. 7layers has been a member of this activity group for several months and finally demonstrated compliance to the new RF specifications by testing several appropriate reference devices. Again, 7layers is one of the first consulting, engineering and testing providers to offer a new LoRa service to interested stakeholders such as connectivity providers, service providers and LoRa end-device manufacturers.
“We expect that by expanding the LoRa Alliance certification scope in this manner, the whole LoRa ECO system will benefit long term”, explains Thomas Jaeger, Director of Global Business Developments and Innovations at 7layers, “and we are very proud to be once again in the first row of providers of new innovative LoRa services solutions”. 7layers, an experienced provider of wireless engineering, test and certification services is a CONTRIBUTOR member of the LoRa Alliance, authorized to provide not only LoRa Alliance certification services but ideally combines this with IoT-services support, RF consulting and LoRa test set-up developments.
About 7layers: 7layers is a group of engineering & test centers specializing in wireless technologies. The organization supports the development, testing and market access processes of connected devices, as well as the set-up and maintenance of smart IoT services. Stakeholders in IoT processes, such as manufacturers and suppliers of connected devices, wireless component manufacturers, network operators, application developers and the service providers themselves benefit from using 7layers services and supporting tools.
7layers services for connected devices encompass wireless testing for all important radio technologies plus EMC and OTA testing, conducting conformance, interoperability and field test processes. The test services are enhanced with test plan strategies, antenna and module integrations support and RF consulting. Certification and international type approval handling (RED, FCC, ISED Canada etc.) completes the portfolio.
IoT processes are supported with technical consulting, analysis of suitable technologies, reviewing requirements, benchmarking plus the development of specifications, quality policies, test specifications and test cases. 7layers also provides the new Interlab EVO Test Management System for the verification lifecycle management of connected devices and Smart Services. About Bureau Veritas: The parent company of 7layers is the Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, serving a large variety of industries. Bureau Veritas maintains a number of smart world laboratories throughout the world, of which the 7layers group, with its service centers and accredited test labs in the USA, Germany and Asia, forms an integral part.
PTCRB celebrates 20th anniversary Last week the North American certification forum PTCRB celebrated its 20th anniversary in Toronto
Cellular digital communication based on GSM was started in North America middle of the 90s. During 1997 the then cellular carriers Bell South, Microcell, Western Wireless and others, initiated a new certification scheme for Mobile Phones, called “PTCRB”.
History of PTCRB
Initially PCS 1900 (GSM 1900) and later on GSM 850 were the first ETSI technologies being used in the US and Canada. The PTCRB certification approach was supported from day one by Europeans who had already gained experience with ETSI technologies and joined standards some years before, when GSM was introduced in Germany, Denmark, France and the UK.
Mr. Thomas Jaeger, director business development at 7layers, who is currently chairmen of the PTCRB Validation Group (PVG), was one of the foundation members of the PTCRB. He is the only one who has supported the North American certification requirements without any interruption until today. Based on a very close and continuous cooperation with the North American network carriers and other stakeholders, it was possible to establish and maintain a joint certification scheme on a very high level, thus enhancing the user experience with regard to interoperability and quality.
PTCRB and the IoT
Today the next evolutionary level is on its way, aiming for the Internet of Things (IoT) with smart devices collecting and exchanging data worldwide. PVG has already established the initial technical measures, required to verify the related technologies which will be implemented in various combinations and in multiple frequency bands. With this very significant step, PTCRB is supporting the evolution from the “connecting people level” to the “connecting machines and smart objects level” of the information society.
At its 88th meeting last week, PTCRB celebrated 20 years of success in providing a joint framework for the certification of mobile phones and wireless connected devices. The celebration was sponsored by 7layers, a leading organization for the certification of smart, connected devices.
sps ipc drives
Benefits of the connected vehicle certification program from OmniAir
He is the only one who has supported the North American certification requirements without any interruption until today. Based on a very close and continuous cooperation with the North American network carriers and other stakeholders, it was possible to establish and maintain a joint certification scheme on a very high level, thus enhancing the user experience with regard to interoperability and quality.