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Integrated Systems And Specialized Vehicles
Integrated Systems And Specialized Vehicles
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How to Use SIL Test to Give Consideration to Software Reliability and Iteration Speed in the Era of High Frequency OTA
Release time:
2025-12-15 15:50
As automotive electronic/electrical (E/E) architectures evolve toward centralized systems, automotive software functions grow increasingly complex, driving a shift in software development from traditional waterfall methodologies to agile approaches. Against the backdrop of rapid software iteration, there is a critical need for early-stage software validation to identify and correct defects, alongside automated continuous verification during high-frequency OTA software updates.
However, in the early development stages, actual hardware controllers (ECUs) are often not yet available. Relying on hardware for testing severely blocks development progress, increasing time and financial costs. This is where Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing becomes crucial. SIL simulates a real vehicle operating environment on a computer, enabling software engineers to perform full-function, high-reliability testing on compiled target code without physical hardware.
Jingwei Hirain's newly launched software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing platform, INTEWORK-TVM (Test platform for Virtual Machine), addresses user requirements for early software function testing. Utilizing cloud simulation technology, this platform supports parallel testing across multiple nodes, thereby enabling agile software development processes. TVM features virtual ECU (vECU) generation, vECU integration, object model integration, virtual bus simulation, virtual measurement, and calibration capabilities.
▎Core Functions Analysis
- Virtual ECU (vECU) Generation Function
Virtual ECU (vECU) generation is a critical component of the Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing platform. It involves compiling software code using an x86 compiler to produce executable files compatible with the testing environment, thereby enabling simulation testing.
A virtual controller (vECU) typically comprises several components, including application software (ASW), basic software (BSW), and middleware. The Horizon SIL test platform is equipped with a dedicated compiler that compiles software code into a virtual controller (vECU) and supports automatic integration of the vECU into TVM software.
- Virtual Measurement and Calibration Function
TVM software supports virtual measurement and calibration function. By reading the ECU's original A2L file, it extracts the names, data types, lengths, and storage attributes of calibration variables. It removes the original ECU physical addresses and automatically assigns a virtual address space through the TVM software. New mappings are established between variables in the A2L file and virtual addresses. The adapted A2L file is then imported into the bus tool, enabling ECU variable reading and calibration via XCP communication.
- Virtual Bus Function
To enable virtual communication between vECUs within a Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) environment and support collaborative testing of multiple vECUs, the TVM software integrates CAN, LIN, and Ethernet virtual bus function. By importing DBC and LDF files, it facilitates message exchange between vECUs.
- Cloud Parallel Testing Function Overview
Cloud parallel testing compresses a week's worth of testing tasks into a few hours or even less (depending on server resources). Jingwei Hirain's SIL testing platform supports cloud parallel testing. After a test task is triggered, the test management platform intelligently distributes test cases to various test nodes, automatically configures server resources and the number of test nodes, enables containerized operation across all test nodes, and automatically uploads test reports upon completion.
To enhance software development efficiency and reduce testing personnel requirements, Jingwei Hirain's SIL testing platform integrates with CICD automation pipeline tools. This enables an automated pipeline workflow from software code submission to test report delivery.
Jingwei Hirain's Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Test Platform - TVM offers the following advantages:
- Features a mature SIL toolchain including test management software, automated test software, vehicle dynamics models, controlled object models, and I/O models
- Supports AUTOSAR CP, AUTOSAR AP, and various control algorithm software based on Linux
- Supports mainstream middleware including SOME/IP, DDS, CyberRT, and ROS
- One-click critical code generation for efficient software integration
- Compliance with industry-standard protocols such as XIL API, FMI, and XCP
- Extensive automotive embedded software development experience with deep understanding of automotive electronics architecture and functional logic, effectively mitigating virtual controller integration and debugging risks
- Possesses a robust in-house software development and project delivery team, capable of swiftly resolving complex issues from virtual controller integration to functional debugging, ensuring rapid SIL system delivery
- Accumulated extensive test scenario libraries and test cases, enabling rapid migration of SIL engineering/models/test cases to HIL, providing customers with higher compatibility across multiple testing methodologies
The Jingwei Hirain SIL testing platform significantly advances the testing and validation phase through highly automated cloud simulation and parallel testing capabilities. Leveraging its mature toolchain, broad compatibility with multiple architectures, and seamless integration with HIL testing, the platform establishes an efficient continuous testing loop for automakers, substantially accelerating software development cycles and enhancing product reliability.