A Strategy to Demonstrate the Compliance of Automotive Controller Software to Systems Requirements Using Simulation Technology

Real time embedded automotive control systems permit vehicles to operate within established emissions, safety, and passenger comfort guidelines. The increasing size, functionality, and complexity of controller software requires the development of rigorous verification methodologies to demonstrate compliance with software and systems requirements. To anticipate the needs of vehicle manufacturers, Delco Electronics is reviewing their internal software verification process. In this paper, one strategy for the methodological testing of automotive controller software is presented and demonstrated. To initiate the testing process, systems requirements are reviewed and used to create test plans and procedures. These materials, cross-referenced to the software and systems requirements, outline the type of tests to be performed, the test procedures, and the expected results. Automotive controller tests may then be executed on static or dynamic vehicle simulators, which supply an electronic environment similar to the actual vehicle. The real time hardware-in-the-loop simulation facility provides a dynamic and repeatable test environment with integrated data acquisition. To facilitate testing, several strategies have been formulated which permit the direct control of controller and/or driver inputs during a test. An example test plan and set of procedures will be developed for two linear exhaust gas recirculation valve systems requirements.