The embedded software development process for electronic engine controls is undergoing rapid changes and advancements. A large number of software process improvement (SPI) initiatives have recently commenced, partly in response to emerging technologies involving code generation [1, 2, 3 and 4] and automated testing [5,6].
The ability to generate and test embedded code using computer automation is certainly a tremendous advancement and worthy of review by SPI teams. However, there are other important software engineering tasks that also need consideration including verification and validation, configuration management, and documentation. Powerful computer automated tools are available for nearly every one of these tasks. This makes it easy for SPI teams to get caught up in the excitement of a tool's individual capabilities, without paying attention to its impact on the process as a whole.
A software engineering framework consists of a process with methods and tools. Tools must support the process and methods, otherwise the framework will become cluttered, disjointed, and ultimately, a failure. This paper discusses frameworks in use or under consideration by today's SPI teams for powertrain controls applications.