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Early Validation of ECU Software
With virtual ECU testing, dSPACE customers can use virtual ECU models for testing and validation throughout the ECU development process. The term 'virtual ECU testing' covers all simulation scenarios in which virtual ECUs are used.
Today's ECU software comprises numerous software components (SWCs) with intensive interactions. In the large ECU networks frequently installed in current vehicles, the number of SWCs can easily reach the thousands.
And because the task of developing ECU components is usually shared by several departments or even different companies, not only the SWCs themselves have to be tested and validated, but also the interactions between them. The earlier in the development process that errors and inconsistencies are found, the quicker and cheaper it is to correct them.
Early Testing Without Hardware
Previously, the testing and validation of ECU software could not even begin until the prototype ECUs were available. This had clear disadvantages, as prototypes are not usually available until fairly late in the development process and are also very expensive. Moreover, prototypes cannot be multiplied at will or used in several projects simultaneously, for example, for high-quality restbus simulation.
This is where dSPACE comes in with virtual ECU testing (VET). The SWCs, which are already available, are combined to create a virtual ECU model. This is then tested and validated in offline simulation on a standard PC. This form of simulation lets developers investigate real-world issues such as task scheduling, the behavior of the basic software, and communication behavior on a virtual CAN bus.
