New adapters enhance service center and manufacturing floor cable diagnostics of high-frequency automotive wire harnesses.

Tempe, Arizona, 13 March 2025 – AEM Precision Cable Test today announced immediate availability of 6 GHz test adapters on its TestPro and Mixed Mode Vector Network Analyzer (MMVNA) test platforms.   TestPro is an industry-leading low-cost battery-operated handheld test platform for testing data cables in the field.  MMVNA is a portable analyzer providing detailed S-parameter measurements for multi-port harnesses.   With these new adapters, AEM provides much needed testing and troubleshooting capabilities for high frequency automotive harnesses such as those used for FPD-Link connectivity to cameras.  

The AD-6G-1P adapter can be attached to the AEM TestPro ruggedized handheld tester to perform return loss measurements up to 6 GHz on automotive and other coaxial cables.   The TestPro introduces a new and innovative test mode for performing Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) tests on cables, featuring intelligent and intuitive test limit configurations. The tester can store configurations for various harnesses with known connector locations, enabling car manufacturers to create a custom library of harnesses specific to their vehicles for quick and easy test setup at service centers and on the production line.  The test identifies any unexpected ‘events’ along the length of the cable, such as kinks. A simple PASS/FAIL result is displayed based on a combination of frequency-based measurements and time domain measurements.  Additionally, visualization as to the location of the discovered anomaly in the cable and known connector locations makes it easy for the technician to quickly and accurately pinpoint the issues in the harness to begin repairs.  The compact, portable form factor of the TestPro allows car manufacturers to troubleshoot wire harnesses while installed in the vehicle. It provides a distance-to-fault reading, enabling users to pinpoint the fault location in the cable without needing to remove the harness from the vehicle or struggle to identify the fault location for accurate repairs.

The K6GVNA-KIT is a manufacturing test solution featuring a 6 GHz 4-port Vector Network Analyzer.  This system works similarly to the existing MMVNA and will work seamlessly with the VNA Manager Pro software.  Leading automotive harness manufacturers have been using the MMVNA to perform end-of-line testing on harnesses for many years.  The tool has been integrated into leading test table solutions.  Now, with extended frequency range of 6 GHz, the harness makers can accurately test next generation SPE (Single Pair Ethernet) or other high-speed cabling.  The user can set test configurations depending on the harness construction, define test limits on any or all S-parameters, perform measurements and produce intuitive test reports.  Multiple testers can work seamlessly together to test larger numbers of test ports.

“With increasing autonomous functioning of the vehicles, the data cables in the automotive harness must meet stringent requirements for RF performance.  Any undetected cable issue can have potentially catastrophic consequences”, said Lisa Schwartz, Director of Marketing at AEM. “The test solutions available today are not suitable for high volume manufacturing or installed harness troubleshooting needs.  Availability of these new test adapters and software from AEM closes this gap”.

To learn more visit us at TestPro Automotive – AEM-Test.  If you would like to speak with us about your specific application and schedule a product demonstration, reach out to us at sales@aem-test.com.

About AEM
AEM is a global leader in test innovation. We provide comprehensive semiconductor and electronics test solutions based on the best-in-class technologies, processes, and customer support. AEM has an international presence across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.  AEM’s R&D centers are Singapore, Malaysia, Finland, France, and the US. With manufacturing plants located in Singapore, Malaysia (Penang), Indonesia (Batam), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), and Finland (Lieto), and a global network of engineering support, sales offices, associates, and distributors, we offer our customers a robust and resilient ecosystem of test innovation and support.

AEM Holdings Ltd. is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange (Reuters: AEM. SI; Bloomberg: AEM: SP). AEM’s head office is in Singapore.

Media Contacts

Name              Lisa Schwartz, Director Product Marketing

Email               lisa.schwartz@aem-test.com

Office              1.480.566.6605