Engineers at Common Motors are the primary to make use of backhaul expertise developed at Cisco to conduct pre-production efficiency testing on autos. The wi-fi, Wi-Fi-based expertise lets auto engineers monitor a number of hundred knowledge channels concurrently in actual time throughout check runs to observe car operational parameters and modify the check because it’s being carried out (if crucial).
Pre-production autos are constructed particularly for validation testing to make sure vehicles or vehicles carry out as meant. Throughout this improvement part huge volumes of efficiency knowledge from a variety of exams are collected. These outcomes are then used to refine the pre-production autos earlier than they’re constructed and offered to shoppers.
With out backhaul, knowledge has been collected knowledge on “black containers” and couldn’t be analyzed till after the total check was run; there was no approach to analyze knowledge throughout a check or modifications the check on the fly. So, if there have been points with a car system or check parameters that will render a check unusable, nothing may very well be finished till the information was checked at an offsite lab after the check. Then the 30- to 60-minute check might need to be repeated, which wastes time and sources. Backhaul lets engineers determine any points with the car or check parameters through the check course of and resolve them in actual time.
Utilizing earlier wi-fi networks to gather this pre-production knowledge didn’t work reliably both as a result of speeds the check autos have been travelling, which regularly exceeded 100 mph.
To fight these issues, backhaul combines the reliability and velocity of fiber connectivity with the pliability of wi-fi communications. It delivers as much as 500 Mbps. It options ultra-low latencies, high-bandwidths, seamless handoffs with zero packet losses and personal cellular connectivity for mission-critical functions. It lets carmakers and different corporations prolong their networks wirelessly.
Whereas backhaul relies on Wi-Fi, it’s not an entry expertise. It may join shifting belongings similar to vehicles, AVG, cranes, tele-remote car and trains, or prolong networks when working fiber isn’t possible or is simply too expensive. Additionally it is extra dependable on wi-fi networks that cowl areas liable to creating interference similar to ports and warehouses, the place stacks of containers or pallets can create lifeless zones.
At GM, backhaul is giving check engineers instantaneous entry to data, letting them be extra actively concerned and make real-time selections throughout check runs to remove the necessity to re-run a check. This streamlines the testing course of and saves time.
“Since deploying Cisco wi-fi backhaul on the efficiency tracks of our Milford Proving Floor, GM now has secure and safe wi-fi community connections in that surroundings the place car speeds that may exceed 100 mph,” says Stephen Jenkins, director, World Labs, Proving Grounds Operations & Supplies Engineering. “This connectivity lets us carry out real-time evaluation and stream data immediately into our Enterprise Knowledge Middle with out buffering or human intervention.”
“GM wanted a mature answer to achieve real-time visibility into car check knowledge, they usually examined many applied sciences which all fell quick,” mentioned Michael Shannon, VP of engineering, Cisco IoT. “Since deploying backhaul, nevertheless, GM has shortened the engineering cycles and finally helped enhance time-to-market for technical improvements.”
