Keysight and Saesol Tech Collaborate to Improve Automotive Certification Management

As the automotive industry continues to grow and evolve, technology and secure communication remain vital to its success. Integrated computer systems provide many modern features, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), adaptive cruise control, hybrid engines, internet access, and Bluetooth connections. However, manufacturers must ensure that any technology integrated into a vehicle meets compliance and security requirements.

The role of digital certificates

One of the critical challenges in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication lies in managing digital certificates, as outlined by the IEEE 1609.2 standard. These are essential for maintaining data integrity and trust in automotive ecosystems. However, each certificate level comes with its own complexities, including limited lifetimes and the risk of overlapping expiration periods. Failure to manage these lifecycles effectively can lead to service disruptions, such as delayed renewals, interoperability issues, and even total communication failures. This becomes more pronounced in large-scale deployments, where unanticipated edge cases, such as simultaneous certificate expirations or system clock mismatches, can severely impact vehicle communication and safety. Such disruptions could necessitate costly over-the-air updates or, in the worst-case scenario, recalls, highlighting the need for robust testing and proactive management strategies.

“The advancement of V2X technology hinges on addressing standard and edge case scenarios in secure communication,” said Thomas Goetzl, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight's Automotive and Energy Solutions. “Manufacturers need to innovate while having peace of mind that they can meet the industry’s growing demands for reliability and security. This requires rigorous testing during research and development and a thorough management process to keep track of certifications.”

Simulating real world scenarios at the edge 

To address this challenge, Keysight and Saesol Tech have successfully conducted a proof of concept (PoC) to demonstrate innovative ways to manage certificates in edge cases. The PoC focused on scenarios where certificate lifecycle management could potentially disrupt V2X communication, such as overlapping certificate expirations and large-scale renewals under tight deadlines.

The testing leveraged Saesol Tech’s SCMS, seamlessly integrated with Keysight’s automated testing system, adhering to IEEE 1609.2.1 standards. Unlike traditional testing that often requires modifications to the system under test, this concept was conducted using configurations identical to real-world production environments. Saesol Tech’s advanced technology enabled the simulation of certificate expirations that typically occur 10+ years into the future, allowing for edge case testing in a realistic timeframe.

Through these controlled simulations, the PoC successfully evaluated how certificate transitions could be managed without disrupting V2X operations. Key achievements included mitigating risks associated with unplanned certificate expirations and validating seamless transitions between overlapping certificates. This ensured uninterrupted communication between vehicles and infrastructure, even in challenging edge-case scenarios.

The results demonstrated significant benefits, including enhanced reliability and scalability in certificate management. By addressing this proactively, the collaboration minimized operational risks, reduced reliance on costly manual interventions, and helped prevent potential vehicle recalls. These innovations not only strengthen V2X security but also provide manufacturers with a robust framework to meet the industry's evolving demands.

“This PoC underscores the necessity of rigorous testing for certificate management scenarios that are often overlooked during development. Proactively addressing these edge cases not only ensures uninterrupted V2X services but also saves significant maintenance costs in the long run. Our collaboration with Keysight demonstrates our commitment to delivering reliable and secure V2X solutions,” said Woody Kim, CTO at Saesol Tech.