Modular construction method and system for virtual simulation environment of embedded system
By constructing a virtual simulation environment for embedded systems, the problem of delayed software verification caused by long hardware development cycles has been solved, enabling rapid simulation verification and hardware adaptation of embedded system application software, and improving development efficiency and flexibility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511565009.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
AI Technical Summary
The long hardware development cycle in embedded systems leads to delays in software testing and verification. Traditional virtualization technology cannot effectively simulate complex hardware interaction objects, especially in the context of multi-core heterogeneous processors and domestic operating systems, making it difficult to achieve rapid software verification.
Construct a virtual simulation environment for embedded systems, including a processor minimum system, operating system, bus interface, and virtual components for interactive objects. Support modular construction and management to achieve visual simulation verification of embedded system application software.
It enables digital simulation operation of embedded system application software, quickly adapts to hardware changes, shortens the R&D cycle, improves development efficiency and flexibility, and supports full-scenario simulation verification.
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Figure CN121501418A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of embedded system development technology, and in particular to a modular construction method and system for an embedded system virtual simulation environment. Background Technology
[0002] CPU- and FPGA-based embedded systems are specialized systems designed for complex applications, comprising hardware, hardware driver software, embedded operating systems, and application software, such as... Figure 1 As shown, there are many types of hardware. Embedded systems have a high degree of functional customization, and the software and hardware are highly interdependent. The software used in embedded systems needs to be adapted to changes in hardware, and the testing and verification of embedded system software depends on the physical hardware. In practice, the hardware in embedded systems is mostly non-standard products, with significant differences in structural size, number of CPUs, and external interfaces (number of Ethernet interfaces, number of RapidIO high-speed interfaces, number of serial ports, etc.), requiring customized development. However, the hardware development cycle is long, which severely delays the testing and verification of the software deployed within it due to the lack of physical hardware, affecting the rapid generation of embedded system capabilities.
[0003] To decouple embedded application software development from hardware in embedded systems, the industry increasingly builds virtual runtime environments around embedded operating systems to enable simulation verification of application software on the front-end hardware. For example, VMware Workstation, based on the VxWorks embedded operating system, can virtualize hardware development platforms and build verification environments using virtual network cards. However, it cannot virtualize other interface interaction objects in the embedded system, such as… Figure 1 The diagram shows various CPU and FPGA hardware modules. Meanwhile, with the increasing prevalence of domestically developed operating systems (such as Tianmai and Ruihua), there is a lack of virtualization products operating under these systems. With the emergence of CPUs with different performance levels (such as DSP, PowerPC, and ZYNQ), hardware boards based on multi-core heterogeneous processors are becoming increasingly common to meet diverse application needs. The corresponding board-level hardware driver software and application software are becoming increasingly complex, and traditional virtualization technologies based on embedded operating systems can no longer meet these demands.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a virtualized simulation environment that can emulate embedded operating systems and support modular construction, enabling visual simulation verification of embedded system application software. This would overcome the problem of the inability to quickly test and verify embedded system application software due to delays in hardware development. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the application provides an embedded system virtual simulation environment modular construction method and system, which can construct an embedded board card virtualization simulation environment, support the test and verification of embedded system application software independent of hardware, and shorten the research and development cycle of the embedded system.
[0006] The technical scheme adopted by the application is as follows: An embedded system virtual simulation environment modular construction system comprises: A processor minimum system virtual component is configured to virtualize processors of different model categories to support the running of embedded systems deployed on the processors; An operating system virtual component is configured to virtually adapt the embedded systems to support the deployment and running of embedded system application software in a virtual environment; A bus interface virtual component is configured to virtually various peripheral interfaces; An interactive object virtual component is configured to be an interactive object of the embedded system application software, simulate hardware module functions to support the virtualization verification of the embedded system application software; A virtual running environment construction platform is configured to manage, instantiate, integrate and run the processor minimum system virtual component, the operating system virtual component, the interactive object virtual component and the bus interface virtual component.
[0007] Further, the virtualization of the processors of different model categories comprises virtualizing processor models, instruction sets, core configuration registers, memories and peripheral interfaces.
[0008] Further, the virtual adaptation of the embedded systems comprises initializing a CPU startup environment and providing multi-boot path support.
[0009] Further, the various peripheral interfaces virtually provided by the bus interface virtual component comprise serial ports, Ethernet interfaces, RapidIO bus interfaces, FC bus interfaces, I2C bus interfaces and CAN bus interfaces.
[0010] Further, the hardware module functions simulated by the interactive object virtual component comprise functional flows and input / output interface behaviors of the hardware modules.
[0011] An embedded system virtual simulation environment modular construction method comprises: Basic component preparation: a reusable model library is constructed, basic models in the model library are functional units supporting assembly and reuse, and the basic models comprise simulation logic, interface definition and configurable parameters; Target engineering creation: a simulation board card development environment is initialized, the model library is automatically associated after engineering creation, and a blank board card configuration canvas is provided; Component visualization selection: load all available components from the model library; Bus environment and interaction logic configuration: based on the interface definition built-in the components, check the connection legality and generate interaction logic; System deployment and real-time monitoring: generate a new simulation board instance, and display the simulation board composition information and the interaction state between components in real time through the monitoring window to verify the correctness of the simulation board function.
[0012] Further, in the preparation of the basic components, the configurable parameters in the basic model include the number of CPU cores, memory and bus bandwidth.
[0013] Further, in the creation of the target project, the focus is on component selection and assembly, without the need to repeatedly build the underlying simulation framework.
[0014] Further, in the bus environment and interaction logic configuration, the generated interaction logic includes: data transmission protocol and interrupt response mechanism.
[0015] Further, in the system deployment and real-time monitoring, the simulation board composition information includes the currently configured CPU, OS, bus, peripheral model and parameters, and the interaction state between components includes data transmission link and interrupt response log.
[0016] The beneficial effects of the present application are: (1) The present application can realize the digital simulation running of embedded system application software. Through virtualization technology, the target machine hardware environment (such as mainstream embedded system processors and peripherals of ARM, PowerPC, RISC-V architecture) is accurately simulated, so that the development and verification of embedded system application software is completely free from physical hardware restrictions, reducing development cost and development cycle.
[0017] (2) The present application can quickly and efficiently build a new QEMU simulation board when the CPU, operating system, bus peripherals change through component-based modeling. Users do not need to redesign the entire simulation framework, but only need to complete component replacement, parameter configuration and bus connection through the visual interface to quickly generate a new QEMU simulation board, greatly improving development efficiency and adaptation flexibility.
[0018] (3) The present application can realize full-scenario collaborative simulation verification. The present application can modularly construct different interactive objects to realize full-scenario closed-loop simulation of control flow + virtual interaction, and pre-hardware module development completes full-process simulation testing, reducing the later embedded system application software and hardware integration test time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] Figure 1 is the existing embedded system composition schematic diagram.
[0020] Figure 2 is a modular construction system of an embedded system virtual simulation environment according to Embodiment 1 of the present application.
[0021] Figure 3 is one of flow charts of a modular construction method of an embedded system virtual simulation environment according to Embodiment 2 of the present application.
[0022] Figure 4 is another of flow charts of a modular construction method of an embedded system virtual simulation environment according to Embodiment 2 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In order to make the technical features, objectives and effects of the present application clearer, the specific embodiments of the present application are described. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application, that is, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0024] Embodiment 1 As shown in Figure 2 , the present embodiment provides a modular construction system of an embedded system virtual simulation environment, which adopts componentized virtual design around the running environment and interactive objects of application software in the embedded system, and respectively constructs componentized virtual environment to realize rapid reconfiguration and transplantation. Specifically, the virtual simulation environment modular construction system of the present embodiment includes: a processor minimum system virtual component configured to virtualize processors of different types and categories to support the running of embedded systems deployed on the processors; an operating system virtual component configured to virtually adapt the embedded system to support the deployment and running of embedded system application software in the virtual environment; a bus interface virtual component configured to virtually interface various peripherals; an interactive object virtual component configured to serve as an interactive object of the embedded system application software, simulate the functions of hardware modules to support the virtualization verification of the embedded system application software; a virtual running environment construction platform configured to manage, instantiate, integrate and run the processor minimum system virtual component, the operating system virtual component, the interactive object virtual component and the bus interface virtual component.
[0025] Preferably, the processor minimum system virtual component virtualizes different model categories of processors, including processor models, instruction sets, core configuration registers, memories, peripheral interfaces, etc., to support the running of embedded operating systems deployed on the processors. The core is the virtualization of processor instruction sets and registers, as shown in Table 1.
[0026] Table 1 - Processor emulation instruction set and registers
[0027] Preferably, the operating system virtual component virtually adapts several commonly used embedded real-time operating systems (such as VxWorks, Tianmi, and Xuehua), which can run on general servers or general computers, supporting the deployment and running of embedded system application software in a virtual environment. The core function is to initialize the CPU startup environment and provide multi-boot path support: 1) Multi-architecture support: based on support for standard ARM startup, special extensions are made for domestic processors; 2) Security control: new security domain configuration instructions (d51ce100, etc.) are added to implement secure-status device tree properties; 3) Real-time optimization: streamline the real-time core startup process; 4) Through precise instruction-level control and multi-path design: full support for various types of processor platforms, both compatible with standard ARM startup processes and providing unique optimization and extension functions for domestic processors, while also supporting the startup of different operating systems (Tianmi, Xuehua, VxWorks).
[0028] Preferably, the bus interface virtual component is mainly used to virtualize various peripheral interfaces, including serial ports, Ethernet interfaces, RapidIO bus interfaces, FC bus interfaces, I2C bus interfaces, CAN bus interfaces, etc.
[0029] Preferably, the interactive object virtual component is mainly used as an interactive object (usually a hardware module) of embedded system application software, simulating the functional flow and input / output interface behavior of the hardware module, supporting the virtualization and verification of embedded system application software.
[0030] Preferably, the virtual running environment construction platform is mainly used to support the modular integration of various virtual environments, such as embedded system application software virtual running environments and virtual interactive hardware modules, and the core content includes the management, instantiation, integration, and running of the above-mentioned various virtual components.
[0031] Embodiment 2 This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1: The embodiment provides a modular construction method of an embedded system virtual simulation environment.
[0032] As shown in Figure 3 The virtual simulation environment modular construction method of the embodiment comprises: Basic component preparation: a reusable model library is constructed, and a basic model in the model library is a supportable and reusable functional unit, and the basic model comprises simulation logic, interface definition and configurable parameters; Target project creation: an simulation board card development environment is initialized, the model library is automatically associated after project creation, and a blank board card configuration canvas is provided; Component visual selection: all available components are loaded from the model library; Bus environment and interaction logic configuration: based on the interface definition built in the components, the connection legality is verified and interaction logic is generated; System deployment and real-time monitoring: a new simulation board card instance is generated, the simulation board card composition information and the interaction state between components are displayed in real time through a monitoring window, and the functional correctness of the simulation board card is verified.
[0033] Preferably, in the basic component preparation, the basic model constructed is a supportable and reusable functional unit, and comprises simulation logic, interface definition and configurable parameters (such as CPU core quantity, memory, bus bandwidth and the like), thereby laying a foundation for subsequent rapid replacement.
[0034] Preferably, in the target project creation, the simulation board card development environment is initialized, the model library is automatically associated after project creation, and a blank board card configuration canvas is provided, thereby focusing on component selection and assembly, and without the need to pay attention to repeated construction of an underlying simulation framework.
[0035] Preferably, in the component visual selection, core change items are quickly adapted, and all available components, such as CPUs, operating systems, buses and peripherals, are automatically loaded from the model library.
[0036] Preferably, in the bus environment and interaction logic configuration, component interfaces are automatically adapted, the connection legality is automatically verified and interaction logic (such as a data transmission protocol and an interrupt response mechanism) is generated based on the interface definition built in the components, without the need to manually write underlying adaptation codes.
[0037] Preferably, in the system deployment and real-time monitoring, the new simulation board card can be quickly verified, that is, after the target system is built, a new QEMU simulation board card instance can be generated. Through the monitoring window, the composition information of the board card (including the currently configured CPU, OS, bus, peripheral model and parameters) and the interaction state between components (such as data transmission link, interrupt response log) can be displayed in real time, supporting users to quickly verify the functional correctness of the simulation board card.
[0038] As shown in Figure 4 The virtual simulation environment modular construction method of the embodiment can be implemented by the following steps: (1) Based on the realized component library of various types, the running environment of the application software is instantiated, including: FT2000-4 processor, Xuhua operating system, Ethernet interface, RapidIO interface. Virtual running on X86 server, the application software is loaded into the running environment through the Ethernet interface to start running.
[0039] (2) Build interactive objects that meet the interface requirements of the application software, including Ethernet interface, RapidIO interface. Virtual running on X86 server, receiving data of the application software, sending data to the application software, realizing full-process virtual verification.
[0040] Embodiment 3 Based on the embodiment 2, the embodiment 3 comprises: The embodiment provides a computer device, comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor realizes the embedded system virtual simulation environment modular construction method of the embodiment 1 when executing the computer program. The computer program can be in the form of source code, object code, executable file or some intermediate form, etc.
[0041] Embodiment 4 Based on the embodiment 2, the embodiment 4 comprises: The embodiment provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program is executed by a processor to realize the embedded system virtual simulation environment modular construction method of the embodiment 1. The computer program can be in the form of source code, object code, executable file or some intermediate form, etc. The storage medium includes any entity or device capable of carrying computer program code, recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signal, telecommunication signal and software distribution medium, etc.
[0042] The foregoing is considered as merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and it is understood that the present application is not limited to the form described herein, but is intended to cover any changes, modifications and equivalents thereof which fall within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and which can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Any changes and modifications which fall within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and which are made to the present application by those skilled in the art are to be construed as falling within the scope of the claims appended herewith.
[0043] It is noted that, for the method embodiments described above, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the operations described with reference to the figures can be implemented in any number of variations without departing from the spirit of the present application. For example, the order of certain operations carried out can be varied, and / or certain operations can be performed in parallel. Furthermore, the logic of the various embodiments can be implemented by a processor, such as the processor 102, executing appropriate instructions, and various elements of the logic can be implemented by one or more circuits such as the processor 102, the memory 104, and / or the like. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A modular construction system for an embedded system virtual simulation environment, characterized in that, include: The processor minimum system virtual component is configured to virtualize different types of processors to support the operation of embedded systems deployed on the processor; Operating system virtual components are configured to virtually adapt to embedded systems in order to support the deployment and operation of embedded system application software in a virtual environment; The bus interface virtual component is configured as a virtual interface for various peripheral devices; Interactive object virtual components are configured as interactive objects for embedded system application software, simulating hardware module functions to support the virtualization verification of embedded system application software; The virtual runtime environment building platform is configured to manage, instantiate, integrate, and run the processor minimum system virtual components, operating system virtual components, interactive object virtual components, and bus interface virtual components.
2. The modular construction system for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The virtualization of different types of processors includes: performing virtualization on the processor model, instruction set, core configuration register, memory, and peripheral interfaces.
3. The modular construction system for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The virtual adaptation of the embedded system includes: initializing the CPU boot environment and providing support for multiple boot paths.
4. The modular construction system for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The virtual peripheral interfaces virtualized by the bus interface virtual component include: serial port, Ethernet interface, RapidIO bus interface, FC bus interface, I2C bus interface and CAN bus interface.
5. The modular construction system for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hardware module functions simulated by the virtual component of the interactive object include: the functional flow and input / output interface behavior of the hardware module.
6. A modular construction method for an embedded system virtual simulation environment, applied to the modular construction system for an embedded system virtual simulation environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The construction method includes: Basic component preparation: Construct a reusable model library. The basic models in the model library are functional units that support assembly and reusability. The basic models include simulation logic, interface definitions and configurable parameters. Target project creation: Initialize the simulation board development environment. After the project is created, it will automatically associate with the model library and provide a blank board configuration canvas. Component visualization and selection: Load all available components from the model library; Bus environment and interaction logic configuration: Based on the component's built-in interface definition, verify the connection's validity and generate interaction logic; System Deployment and Real-time Monitoring: Generate new simulation board instances and display the composition information of the simulation board and the interaction status between components in real time through the monitoring window to verify the correctness of the simulation board's functions.
7. The modular construction method for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the preparation of the basic components, the configurable parameters in the basic model include the number of CPU cores, memory, and bus bandwidth.
8. The modular construction method for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 6, characterized in that, When creating the target project, the focus is on component selection and assembly, without needing to worry about the repeated construction of the underlying simulation framework.
9. The modular construction method for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The generated interaction logic in the bus environment and interaction logic configuration includes: data transmission protocol and interrupt response mechanism.
10. The modular construction method for embedded system virtual simulation environment according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the system deployment and real-time monitoring, the simulation board composition information includes the currently configured CPU, OS, bus, peripheral models and parameters, and the interaction status between components includes data transmission links and interrupt response logs.