All manufacturers conducting eCall certification will encounter UN R144, the core technical foundation of EU eCall market access.
R144 integrates a complete system of underlying technical documents including ETSI standards, 3GPP protocols and ERA-NET dataset specifications, defining test items, test methodologies and pass/fail judgment criteria. Each test module corresponds to a dedicated set of baseline technical requirements.
From EU Regulation 2015/758 to UN R144
EU Regulation 2015/758 forms the legal basis for mandatory eCall implementation in the EU, specifying the mandatory enforcement date (April 1, 2018) and applicable vehicle categories. This regulation contains no detailed technical parameters, delegating all technical requirements to the WP.29 framework.
UN R144 is a component type approval regulation formulated under WP.29, with full official title: "Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with regard to the eCall In-Vehicle System". It defines specific technical performance requirements and test methods for onboard eCall systems. Obtaining R144 approval confirms full compliance with the technical access clauses of Regulation 2015/758.
R144 is a dynamic document
R144 is continuously updated via supplementary amendments and revision series instead of remaining static. The currently enforceable main version is Series 01 with multiple supplementary addenda. Manufacturers must verify that laboratories adopt the latest effective version before sample submission; test reports generated under outdated versions cannot obtain valid approval certificates.
2. Core Technical Modules of UN R144 Specifications
AECD Overall Performance
Products regulated by R144 are defined as AECD (Automatic Emergency Call Device), either standalone STU units or components integrated into vehicle assemblies. Both forms must meet identical functional baselines.
Trigger mechanism is the primary test item. The AECD must activate automatically upon collision without manual operation. Valid trigger signals include airbag deployment, inertial sensor output and vehicle deceleration threshold exceedance. Cross-verification of at least two independent signal sources is mandatory to eliminate false triggers caused by single sensor faults or accidental airbag deployment.
Manual SOS triggering is also a compulsory parallel function, which cannot be replaced by automatic collision activation.
MSD Minimum Set of Data
MSD refers to the data packet transmitted alongside emergency voice calls. Core technical standards governing MSD include ETSI TS 102 380 and EN 15722, whose key fields and transmission rules are fully incorporated into R144.
MSD V1/V2 applies to traditional CS-eCall, transmitted via in-band DTMF audio encoding with limited data fields: trigger type (automatic/manual), VIN code, timestamp, collision coordinates and travel direction.
MSD V3 is the upgraded standard for 4G NG eCall, transmitted via IMS SIP signaling with drastically expanded data packet capacity. All new certification applications submitted after 2026 are required to support MSD V3.
Common positioning compliance pitfall: After collision detection, the system must continuously transmit valid pre-collision coordinates when GNSS signals are lost in tunnels or underground parking garages. R144 specifies dedicated test cases to verify continuous coordinate reporting under signal loss scenarios.
Voice Communication Link
Voice communication standards reference a series of 3GPP technical specifications. The AECD must establish a stable voice channel with PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) after collision and maintain 60 minutes of available call time.
Strict voice quality thresholds are defined via ETSI EN 301 357, covering frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, echo cancellation and signal distortion. Testing simulates real road and in-cabin noise environments to judge pass status.
Mandatory wide temperature operating range: stable voice link functionality must be maintained from -40°C to +85°C, eliminating ordinary consumer-grade communication modules that fail to meet automotive-grade temperature standards.
4G VoLTE NG eCall transmits voice via IMS, fundamentally different from traditional circuit-switched CS systems. Additional test items include IMS SIP signaling setup latency, QoS priority and session retention, adding 2–3 extra test procedures compared to 3G eCall.
GNSS Positioning
R144 mandates dual-mode GNSS hardware reception for AECD, supporting both GPS and Galileo satellite systems as a non-negotiable baseline requirement, not optional guidance.
Clear coordinate error thresholds for collision positioning are specified in R144 annexes; any deviation beyond the limit results in test failure.
The current effective R144 standard only requires dual-mode hardware reception, without mandatory dual-satellite coordinate upload within MSD data packets. The dual-coordinate MSD clause remains a draft revision scheduled for release in 2027. Implementing draft requirements in advance will generate unnecessary hardware and testing costs.
Backup Battery
An independent backup battery separated from the vehicle main power supply is mandatory under R144, with dedicated full test conditions defined in Annex X.
The widely referenced 60-minute endurance standard requires dual full-load operation: simultaneous continuous voice calling and GNSS positioning reporting, not simple standby power retention. Backup battery testing includes separate high and low temperature cycles, with a single battery set occupying test benches for approximately three full working days to complete all operating condition verifications.
Manufacturer datasheets alone are insufficient for audit submission; complete raw discharge curve test records captured under full-load wide-temperature conditions must be provided as supplementary documentation.
3. Reference Relationship Between R144, 3GPP and ETSI Standards
R144 acts as an aggregated regulatory document integrating core referenced standards: ETSI TS 102 380 (onboard eCall technical specs), ETSI EN 15722 (MSD field & format standards), 3GPP TS 22.101 series (IMS session protocol requirements), ETSI TS 126 267 (eCall AMR voice codec specifications).
Relying solely on R144 text will omit critical details embedded in subordinate standards, with MSD formatting and IMS signaling representing the top two high-failure test items for manufacturers.
4. New Test Dimensions Added for NG eCall Standards
All new certification applications submitted after 2026 adopt 4G VoLTE NG eCall, introducing three additional mandatory test modules:
·IMS registration and session establishment: Verify rapid IMS registration and emergency session setup after collision detection, a test item irrelevant to legacy 3G CS systems.
·MSD V3 data packet integrity verification: Requires complete IMS SIP signaling interaction test environments, meaning laboratories without self-built EU IMS simulation platforms must outsource testing to European facilities, extending lead time by 2–3 weeks.
·Network slice priority validation: Ensure emergency eCall channels retain priority during network congestion via simulated carrier network environments, which cannot be covered by generic communication test benches.
5. Two Easily Confused Concepts Beyond Core Standards
·R144 ≠ ERA-GLONASSERA-GLONASS (GOST R 54620) is Russia’s mandatory onboard emergency call framework, adopting GLONASS+GPS dual satellite positioning, fully independent PSAP access protocols and exclusive Russian test items including vehicle safety, EMC and battery durability. The two certification systems are completely separate with no mutual recognition.
·R144 ≠ Domestic China onboard system filingMany manufacturers mistakenly equate regional domestic vehicle system filings with EU eCall compliance; the two carry zero legal relevance. Only E-mark R144 approval certificates are recognized for EU market export access.
BlueAsia maintains full expertise in the complete R144 technical standard system, providing end-to-end compliance support from early scheme consultation to full testing and certification, covering both NG eCall 4G VoLTE and traditional CS communication solutions. For inquiries, contact BlueAsia Compliance Consultant: +86 13534225140 (Benson)
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