Testing Methods and Recommended Validation Strategies for Active Safety to Optimize Time and Cost Efficiency

Given the current proliferation of active safety features on new vehicles, especially for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Highly Automated Driving (HAD) technologies, it is evident that there is a need for testing methods beyond a vehicle level physical test. This paper will discuss the current state of the art in the industry for simulation-based verification and validation (V&V) testing methods. These will include, but are not limited to, "Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)", “Software-in-the-Loop (SIL)”, “Model-in-the-Loop (MIL)”, “Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL)”, and any other suitable combinations of the aforementioned (XIL). Aspects of the test processes and needed components for simulation will be addressed, detailing the scope of work needed for various types of testing. The paper will provide an overview of standardized test aspects, active safety software validation methods, recommended practices and standards. The focus will be on trade-offs of cost and performance, as well as providing general guidance for the type of testing necessary for different phases of product development and implementation. Specific example applications, such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) functions, will be examined relative to the V&V processes.