In the era of rapid iteration in automotive electronics, the Head-Up Display (HUD) has evolved beyond being merely an "audiovisual player" into a core driving experience platform integrating navigation, interaction, and charging management—— Its performance smoothness, operational stability, and scenario compatibility directly determine user comfort and usage experience in the vehicle. Building on this deep understanding of core requirements, PDK 5.0 version has comprehensively upgraded the PCTS verification program. Focusing on three objectives— "enhancing user experience, strengthening system stability, and expanding scenario compatibility" —it establishes a more comprehensive and precise verification framework for reliable HUD operation through new edge scenario testing, optimized verification logic, and streamlined redundant testing procedure
1. New test items: expand the functional boundary and cover multiple scenarios
In order to ensure that the on-board entertainment system can maintain excellent performance in complex usage scenarios, the PDK 5.0 PCTS verification program has added three types of tests, from audio and video experience, system reliability to vehicle compatibility, to further extend the functional coverage.
This update addresses users 'most frequent pain points in audio-visual experience optimization. The newly added audio testing requirements explicitly mandate that in-vehicle entertainment systems must have at least 1-second audio buffering capability. This design isn't redundant – during vehicle operation, network signal fluctuations and sudden system load increases frequently occur. The 1-second buffer effectively prevents audio stuttering and interruptions, ensuring uninterrupted playback of music, navigation voice prompts, and other audio content. Additionally, the newly introduced display testing and video benchmarking focus on high-resolution rendering performance, specifically verifying the HU's compatibility with 1440p (2K) and 2160p (4K) resolutions in both landscape and portrait display modes. The refined image quality from high pixel density not only enhances map details but also delivers more visually impactful cinematic playback and app interfaces, significantly upgrading users' visual experience.
The system update significantly enhances reliability and stability by strengthening its "risk resilience" capabilities. The newly implemented reliability testing primarily evaluates the HU process's "crash resistance" in abnormal scenarios. Whether encountering sudden program command errors or external device connectivity issues, the system maintains core functionality integrity to prevent operational failures caused by process crashes, thereby fundamentally improving user confidence. For the frequently used Wireless Projection (WPP) feature, multiple connectivity tests have been introduced to comprehensively cover critical aspects including automatic startup logic, timeout handling mechanisms, and reconnection procedures. These enhancements resolve common issues like "boot failures" and "disconnected recovery failures" previously observed in wireless projection, ensuring more stable wireless interactions.
In terms of vehicle compatibility upgrades, the update closely follows the development trends in electric vehicle technology. The newly added support for multiple charging connector types enables compatibility with charging requirements from different brands and models, breaking the previous limitation of "specific connectors being incompatible." This enhances the versatility of in-vehicle entertainment systems during charging management processes, further improving the system's adaptability across various vehicle models.
2. Optimize the existing test: improve the verification accuracy and upgrade the technical adaptation
In addition to the new test items, PDK 5.0 PCTS verification program also deeply optimized the existing test links. Through the adjustment of logic and upgrade of technical support, the verification results are more accurate, and the system's adaptability to new technologies is improved.
In terms of technical upgrades, the updates closely follow the latest developments in audio-visual technologies. The video testing now includes support —— for H.265 codecs. Compared to traditional codecs, H.265 delivers higher image quality at the same bandwidth or reduces bandwidth usage while maintaining the same visual standards. This is particularly beneficial for in-vehicle video applications like streaming movies and wireless projection, ensuring smoother playback and lower network consumption. Additionally, the wireless video performance tests have added 2K/4K resolution support to verify the stability of high-resolution content during wireless transmission. This ensures that even 4K-level HD videos can play without lag or pixelation when connected wirelessly, making high-quality visuals a reality for everyday use.
3. Conclusion: Verify the upgrade and escort the new height of car experience
The update of PDK 5.0 focuses on three core directions: high resolution support, vehicle compatibility, and audio-video synchronization. By adding new test items to cover edge scenarios and optimizing the existing test logic to improve accuracy, the update ensures the stability and user experience of the in-car entertainment system in different vehicle types and complex network environments.
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