Hybrid eCall Validation for Automotive Emergency Systems

Anritsu Corporation and LG Electronics Inc. have jointly validated an in-vehicle system (IVS) for Hybrid eCall operation, confirming compliance with European standard EN 18052:2025. The cooperation focuses on ensuring reliable emergency call functionality across mixed cellular network environments in automotive applications.

Context of the Cooperation
Anritsu Corporation, a provider of communication test and measurement systems, collaborated with LG Electronics Inc., which develops automotive connectivity and in-vehicle platforms. The cooperation addresses a key challenge in the automotive sector: maintaining uninterrupted emergency call (eCall) services during the transition from legacy circuit-switched (2G/3G) networks to packet-switched 4G/LTE infrastructures.

Hybrid eCall has emerged as a transitional solution that must operate across heterogeneous network architectures. This requires coordinated validation of both in-vehicle systems and network simulation environments to ensure compliance with evolving European regulatory requirements for Next Generation eCall (NG eCall).

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The validation was conducted using Anritsu’s eCall evaluation platform, designed to test end-to-end emergency call functionality under Hybrid eCall conditions. The platform simulates Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and supports both circuit-switched and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based communication.

LG Electronics provided the in-vehicle system, which integrates telematics control, communication modules, and software required to initiate and manage emergency calls. The system was tested for interoperability, including automatic fallback between network types and correct transmission of minimum set of data (MSD) to emergency services.

The validation confirmed that the IVS meets functional and interoperability requirements defined in EN 18052:2025. This includes handling call routing, network switching, and protocol compliance across coexisting network domains, a critical requirement for digital infrastructure supporting emergency services.

Deployment and Demonstration
The validated setup was demonstrated in a controlled test environment at the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) event in Gothenburg on 23 April 2026. The demonstration replicated real-world network conditions, including coexistence of legacy and LTE-based systems, to verify system behavior under practical deployment scenarios.

Integration involved synchronizing the IVS with Anritsu’s network simulation tools, enabling verification of end-to-end communication between the vehicle and simulated emergency response centers.

Applications and Use Cases
The validated Hybrid eCall system is intended for automotive manufacturers deploying vehicles in European markets where regulatory frameworks require compatibility with NG eCall. Key use cases include:

The system supports continuity of emergency services, even as operators phase out legacy networks.

Results and Technical Impact
The validation demonstrates that Hybrid eCall can maintain service continuity during network transitions by enabling dual-mode communication across circuit-switched and packet-switched infrastructures. This reduces the risk of service disruption and supports regulatory approval for new vehicle models.

By combining test system capabilities with in-vehicle platform development, the cooperation provides a verified pathway for implementing standards-compliant eCall systems in evolving telecommunications environments.

Edited by an industrial journalist Sucithra Mani with AI assistance.

www.anritsu.com