Insights and Reflections from Partner Keysight at CharIN Testival Europe

What stood out to you about this year’s Testival in Versailles for electrical testers and developers?

The 2024 Testival in Versailles showcased key innovations in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology, particularly around interoperability and conformance testing. At this event 50% of all protocol implementations already supported latest version of CCS protocol: ISO 15118-20. This was tested in real-world scenarios in various use cases e.g. AC/DC/BPT/PnC. In addition, Keysight Testing tools used at the Testival supported a first implementation of the ISO 15118-21/-23 conformance test cases.

What innovations from the event will have the most impact on electrical testing? How do you see these trends shaping the future of electrical testing?

With the introduction of ISO 15118-20 and the introduced feature bi-directional Power Transfer (BPT) charging testing will need to incorporate grid relevant aspects. Keysight customers profit from the modular tool chain and can expand their testing solution with additional solution modules to meet this demand.

In general, the industry is shifting towards a more comprehensive view of testing by focusing on the entire EV ecosystem. Keysight`s Charging- and Grid Edge Test Solution modules can be combined to an integrated test solution which enables emulation of various End-to-End Test scenarios, ensuring vehicles, chargers, cloud services, and grid facing components work cohesively. This helps bridge gaps between different technologies, accelerates time to market of integrated solutions and increases interoperability across the board.

The innovations showcased at the 2024 Testival in Versailles, such as the ISO 15118-20 protocol and conformance Test Cases, will support the implementation of robust and interoperable bi-directional EV charging interfaces.

Overall, the innovations at the Testival highlight significant opportunities for developers to contribute to the evolving EV landscape by improving implementation

of charging protocols, integrating with smart grid technologies, leveraging data analytics, and creating advanced testing solutions.

How can Keysight help testers capitalize on these trends?

By offering turnkey, module-based testing solutions which are globally supported by local service and support teams Keysight empowers testers to effectively and efficiently navigate and capitalize on the evolving landscape of electric vehicle charging technology. Fully integrated solution modules and high degree of automation enable them to develop more robust, secure, and efficient EV charging systems fast, ultimately contributing to the future of sustainable transportation.

Which demos or products from the event will have the biggest impact on testing workflows?

The hardware and software test solution modules presented at the Testival particularly those focused on ISO 15118-20 testing and data analytics will empower the testing of bi-directional EV Charging Interfaces.

However, with the industry shift towards a more comprehensive view of testing the core challenge according to the testing workflow will remain to balance the prioritization of standardized test aspects by parallel reviewing and contributing to progress of standardization of innovative but not yet standardized test aspects.

In this context, a lot of efforts are still ongoing to standardize and harmonize test requirements and regulatory directives on national and international level to enable diversified use cases and applications around Smart Home /Smart Grid/ Smart Charging Solutions.

What’s next for Keysight in advancing testing technology?

Keysight will continue to be front runner in enhancing its Testing Tools for Smart Charging and Grid Facing technology along evolving testing standards and customer / market requirements. This includes but is not limited to e.g. expand the solution module portfolio to meet requirements of evolving Charging Standards such as MegaWatt Charging System (MCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS, SAE J3400). In addition, Keysight`s charging and grid edge experts will continue their contribution to standardization bodies to accelerate availability of testing standards and will continue to support charging relevant organizations such as Charin e.V..

If there’s one takeaway from this event for our audience, what would it be?

The central message from the 2024 Testival in Versailles emphasizes the urgent need for the electric vehicle (EV) sector to enhance interoperability. As the industry moves forward, the integration of various components such as vehicles, chargers, backend systems and grid become essential for a seamless user experience.

As usual during Charin e.V. Testivals its always refreshing to see how the community is working together to remove barriers and is putting the focus on excellent technical solutions to enable E-Mobility. Join! Contribute! Innovate!