Testing and measurement instrument/software maker Keysight held an electronic measurement forum on September 20, where it shared its observations and strategies on three major topics: wireless communication, the automotive revolution, and high-speed interconnection.
Keysight Taiwan chairman and GM Allen Chang stated that the high integration of electronic components is giving rise to a whole new level of data sharing within 5G and 6G standards. Autonomous driving, EVs, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs) are changing the way people commute, while high-speed interconnectivity is elevating AI applications to a higher level to solve more challenging tasks.
Keysight VP David Lo observed these trends and pointed out that the company will tailor solutions that combine hardware, software, and services to help customers optimize their development environments, accelerate product launches, and overcome technological limitations.
Regarding wireless communication, Lo stated that 5G technology continues to develop with the evolving standards of R17 and R18. R&D for 5G cybersecurity, smart and energy-efficient networks, and 6G key technology are also underway. These advancements aim to drive the development of key technologies to overcome existing challenges.
As for Keysight's investment in 6G, Lo indicated that the R&D investment in this area is very high. Currently, the company has laboratories in the US dedicated to next-gen products. When it comes to 6G, he stated that it is still a bit early and the current focus of the market is on 5G and B5G.
Regarding the automotive sector, Lo believes that the automotive industry is accelerating the push for vehicle electrification and autonomous driving. The integration of energy ecosystems poses challenges to the automotive industry. For Keysight, it's following key technologies of autonomous driving and supporting the rapid development of EVs, autonomous driving, and V2X with sensing technology. Moreover, clean energy ecosystems, SDVs, sensor modeling, and integration are essential aspects of the automotive revolution.
As new energy continues to evolve, EVs and self-driving cars are emerging as new options. In the next 10 years, EVs will become personal energy storage units. By 2025, several industries will start to use EVs as generators. This trend will cause electricity providers to start to feel the threat EVs pose to the static grid infrastructure.
Lo mentioned that the primary challenges now are still large-scale charging, charging infrastructure, and battery technology. EVs will have a chance to become mainstream only when the entire EV ecosystem adopts the same standards.
Additionally, high-speed interconnect technology is rapidly developing, keeping pace with other emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, VR, and self-driving cars. Keysight is introducing AI technology with high-speed interconnect technology to provide smart solutions, accelerate high-speed computing interface, data center connections, and the time to market for consumer electronics products.
Regarding satellites, Lo said that satellite communication will have a significant impact on future next-gen communications. This type of globally covered network system can enhance and complement the insufficiencies of the existing communication system. As 5G networks become widespread, the integration of satellite communication systems with 5G technology is inevitable.
Lo also mentioned that over the past 3 to 4 years, the company has conducted a lot of acquisitions. For instance, they completed the acquisition of Cliosoft in early 2023, integrating Cliosoft's hardware design data and IP management software tools into Keysight's electronic design automation (EDA) solution portfolio.
Additionally, on September 20, Keysight announced the N5186A, the world's first vector signal generator with a built-in reflectometer. It incorporated up to four signal generation channels into a 2U-sized chassis, aiming to achieve optimal bandwidth and density with a compact exterior. This will assist network and design engineers to test higher frequencies, wider bandwidths, and more complex modulation methods in smaller spaces.
Article translated by Jack Wu
