Simulating and Testing In-Vehicle Networks by Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

Validating control units with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators is an established method for quality enhancements in automotive software. It is primarily used for testing applications, but in view of increased networking between electronic control units, it can also be used for testing communication scenarios.

The testing of electronic control unit (ECU) communication often includes only positive testing. Simple communication nodes are used for this, and communication analyzers are used for verifying communication up to the physical level. However, it is not only an ECU's positive communication behavior that has to be tested, but also its correct behavior in the event of communication errors. In HIL communication scenarios, it is not only possible to emulate the missing bus nodes (restbus simulation) with a link to real-time signals; correct ECU behavior in the event of communication errors can also be tested. This requires the ability not only to mimic errors in bus communication by means of simulated nodes, but also to insert errors into communication with real ECUs that are actually present. This paper describes the challenges and solutions to bus communication testing and simulation during hardware-in-the-loop testing, using the CAN bus (Controller Area Network) as an example.