The potential to reduce the cost of embedded software by standardizing the application behavior for Automotive Body and Comfort domain functions is explored in this paper.
AUTOSAR, with its layered architecture and a standard definition of the interfaces for Body and Comfort application functions, has simplified the exchangeability of software components.
A further step is to standardize the application behavior, by developing standard specifications for common Body and Comfort functions. The corresponding software components can be freely exchanged between different OEM/Tier-1 users, even if developed independently by multiple suppliers.
In practice, individual OEM users may need to maintain some distinction in the functionality. A method of categorizing the specifications as ‘common’ and ‘unique’, and to configure them for individual applications is proposed. This allows feature variability by means of relatively simple adapter functions.
Standardized software functions can be developed and maintained by software vendors and offered as “purchasable components”. An operating workflow model that facilitates collaboration between OEMs, Tier1s and SW component vendors is outlined.
A number of challenges in the development and deployment of independent software functions are addressed. A major challenge is for the user community to agree to a standard specification. The paper also suggests next steps to enable deployment of the model and realize the benefits.
Reusable software functions have promise in reducing the total cost of software for OEMs and Tier1s and to improve the time to bring the products to market.