The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift with the integration of Virtual Electronic Control Units (vECUs) in software development and validation processes. Physical ECUs require actual hardware setups, which can be expensive, time-consuming to configure, and may not be readily available during early development stages. This abstract presents the application of a Level 3 vECU to enable early-stage testing in alignment with the Shift Left Strategy, thereby reducing development time and cost.
The developed vECU includes production-intent code for the Application Software (ASW), Runtime Environment (RTE), Basic Software (BSW), and Operating System (OS), while adapting the Microcontroller Abstraction Layer (MCAL) and Complex Device Drivers (CDD) for the virtual environment. The vECU replicates the functional behavior of a physical ECU and supports standard automotive communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Ethernet and FlexRay, allowing system-level validation in a virtual setup.
A Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) is integrated with the vECU to simulate external components, such as electric motors, enabling verification of software functionalities and system responses without requiring physical hardware. This approach facilitates early detection of integration issues, interface mismatches, and logical errors in a controlled, repeatable environment.
Consequently, the Shift Left strategy not only enhances the efficiency of the development process but also leads to substantial cost savings by minimizing hardware expenses. The ability to identify and rectify potential issues before they reach the hardware stage streamlines the overall validation process, ensuring higher quality and reliability of automotive systems. This abstract underscore the critical role of Virtual ECUs in modern automotive software development, the vECU-based approach enhances efficiency, reliability, and traceability across the development lifecycle highlighting their potential to revolutionize validation methodologies and drive down costs while maintaining high standards of performance and safety.