Model-Based Development with Automatic Code Generation - Challenges and Benefits in a DCT High-Volume Project

Presently automotive electronic suppliers are under pressure to provide quick time-to-prototype and time-to-market electronics and software from the automotive industry. Such pressure drives the introduction of innovative embedded software development methods. A widely used standard for rapid prototyping is model-based development. An emerging approach to production level software is the use of automatic code generation from the developed models. Within the last decade Siemens VDO (meanwhile: VDO Automotive AG, A Company of the Continental Corporation) has investigated the potential of using model-based development and automatic code generation. This article discusses the challenges and benefits of this method as applied to a high-volume double clutch transmission controller project. Additionally, the topic of the engineer's role as it changed will be reviewed.