Method and system for transforming recorded communication data

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a test system and a method for transforming recorded communication data, wherein the communication data are given by messages from a network or bus communication, wherein the recorded communication was carried out based on a first communication matrix, wherein the recorded communication data are provided to be sent by means of a test system to a control unit to be tested, wherein the test system is connected to the control unit to be tested via a first communication connection (e.g. CAN, LIN or Ethernet connection), wherein the control unit to be tested is configured based on a second communication matrix, in particular a second version of the communication matrix.

[0002] The introduction of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD) functions in today's vehicles, for which the vehicle ECUs require a wealth of sensor data to detect the traffic situation, for example, collected by environmental sensors installed in the vehicle, requires ever-new methods for validating these ECUs and entire systems consisting of multiple networked ECUs. One way to address the high (test) complexity is to present a computer-generated virtual environment (simulated roads, intersections, vehicles, pedestrians, signs, etc.) to the sensors and the network of ECUs under test. See, for example, https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20220922052550 / https: / / www.dspace.com / en / pub / home / applicationfields / stories / faw-hongqi-is-it-okay-phvil.cfm

[0003] However, purely virtual validation is usually insufficient and must be supported by real-world test kilometers. For this purpose, the vehicle, in an initial development stage with appropriate sensors and the various ECUs, is driven in real traffic scenarios, and the relevant data is recorded with precise time stamps (e.g., using the dSPACE AUTERA system, which can serve both as a data logger and, if necessary, as a playback device for the recorded (logged) data). Relevant data in this context includes both the raw sensor data (e.g., camera, lidar, radar) and the network communication data (e.g., CAN and Ethernet traffic) relevant to an ECU as a "device under test" (DuT). This "run-in" of test data is very complex, cost-intensive, and virtually impossible to reproduce (e.g., due to changing weather conditions).Data collected from test kilometers therefore represents a certain investment and value for a company.

[0004] The recorded data can be reused in the laboratory, e.g., in a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test or a software-in-the-loop (SIL) test, to test new development stages of an ECU or ECU network without having to take a vehicle back on the road. To do this, it must be possible to replay the data streams of sensor data and the communication data from the bus and / or network communication in a synchronized manner. This process is called a data replay test (https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20220922115142 / https: / / www.dspace.com / en / pub / home / applicationfields / foo / data_replay.cfm). If necessary, time stamps, counter values ​​and / or security coding may need to be adjusted when sending the recorded data to the control unit under test, as described in WO2020 / 165067A1 or WO2022 / 013335A1.

[0005] Document CN 112104524 discloses converting vehicle network detection configuration information into a corresponding vehicle network detection node. A first detection component matrix representation corresponding to the vehicle network detection node is obtained. A detection frequency-domain characteristic representation and a time-domain characteristic representation of the vehicle network detection node are obtained based on the first detection component matrix representation and a detection query strategy.

[0006] The ECU or ECU system must already have a certain level of maturity at the time the test data is entered, but it is usually still subject to changes due to further development and error correction. These changes must be taken into account when replaying the logged data. Typical changes in this case are changes to the so-called communication matrix. The communication matrix defines all communication elements such as protocol data units (PDUs), frames, headers and payload data with the signals they contain, etc. It therefore determines the structure of the messages, but also the topology of the network participants and, if applicable, security coding. Very often, the elements in the communication matrix are defined according to the AUTOSAR standard.

[0007] A typical problem in this context is, for example, that in a new development stage with a new, second communication matrix, the payload data of a specific CAN message is expanded by an additional signal compared to the specification of this CAN message in the first version of the communication matrix, which was still current at the time of data acquisition. This in turn means that the ECU under test, configured with the second communication matrix, expects this additional signal in the specified CAN message, which, however, was not yet specified for this message at the time of data acquisition and is therefore not present in the recorded communication data. The recorded communication data can therefore no longer be used for testing the ECU without modification. A new test drive for renewed data acquisition or a virtual test drive would have to be performed.

[0008] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a method and a test system that further develops the state of the art.

[0009] The object is achieved by a method executed by means of a first program, wherein the method is preferably implemented on the test system or a suitable computer and comprises the following method steps: a) Reading in the first and second communication matrices, b) Comparing the elements of the communication matrices by i) assigning identical or corresponding elements and ii) categorizing changes in the elements of the second communication matrix compared to the elements of the first communication matrix, c) Determining the data to be transformed, wherein the data to be transformed is given by those communication data that can be assigned to an element of the first communication matrix that corresponds to an element of the second communication matrix, wherein the element of the second communication matrix has - in particular categorized - changes compared to the corresponding element of the first communication matrix, d) Processing the communication data by i) transforming the determined data according to predetermined rules for the categorized changes, ii) Discarding the recorded communication data,which are to be assigned to an element of the first communication matrix for which no identical or corresponding element exists in the second communication matrix, e) sending the recorded data which are neither to be discarded nor transformed and sending the transformed data to the control unit to be tested or saving the data to be sent in a file.

[0010] The order in which the first and second communication matrices are read in in step a) is irrelevant. For each element of the second communication matrix – which is the current communication matrix for the control unit under test – the comparison in step b) checks whether an identical element is present in the first communication matrix – on the basis of which the communication data was recorded. If this is the case, the corresponding recorded messages can be played back unchanged in a replay test of the control unit under test, subject to the above-mentioned adjustments to time stamps, counter values ​​and / or security coding. The presence of an identical element in the first communication matrix is ​​noted by the first program, e.g., through a link to a database or memory. This assigns the elements to one another.An alternative way of assigning data would be to create a table stored in the test system, with one column for each communication matrix element, with identical communication matrix elements listed in the same row. Such a table could also be easily extended to include additional communication matrices from later development stages.

[0011] Corresponding elements of the two communication matrices are also assigned to each other.

[0012] Corresponding elements are those elements in which the element of the second communication matrix essentially corresponds to an element of the first communication matrix, so that it can be seen that the element of the first communication matrix is ​​identical to the element of the second communication matrix except for one categorized change or possibly several categorized changes.

[0013] Categories of changes are already specified in the first program or can be specified by the user, e.g. via a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0014] In step c), the data that can be assigned to an element of the first communication matrix, to which a corresponding element of the second communication matrix has been assigned, must be determined from the recorded communication data. Such a determination can be made, for example, within the framework of a HIL or SIL test. For such tests, various tools are available that offer the possibility of data inspection on the bus channel or network connection over which the data is transmitted to the test system (e.g., https: / / vm-dshelp1.dspace.de / helpsetid=ConfigurationDeskBusManagerImplementation Guide&externalid=Topic_e2811b6d-f08a-4c30-92ef-a347d1c61bf6_-_&anchor=lguid-bb5fcacc-d09f-46f7-8157-3e00f347b5d2&Language=en-us&Release=RLS2022-A ). For this purpose, a program for analyzing the data transmitted over a bus or network connection is installed on the test system.This program can, for example, be called and executed by the first program and determine whether a message belongs to a corresponding element of the first communication matrix. However, such a program can also be implemented on a conventional PC and used for data preprocessing.

[0015] If an element of the first communication matrix is ​​assigned to a corresponding element of the second communication matrix, the corresponding message data is determined as the data to be transformed. It should be noted that there can also be multiple corresponding elements of the first communication matrix to one element of the second communication matrix, e.g., if the signals from two PDUs described in the first communication matrix are combined into a single PDU in the second communication matrix. The reverse case must also be considered.

[0016] The data determined in step c) is transformed in step d)i) so that it can subsequently be assigned to the corresponding element from the second communication matrix. The transformation is performed using transformation rules specified in the first program or by the user via a GUI or a file to be imported for the respective categorized changes.

[0017] Recorded communication data for which no reference can be made to an element of the second, current communication matrix are discarded in step d)ii), i.e. they are not taken into account for the further process because they are not required.

[0018] All communication data that matches the definitions of the second communication matrix is ​​then sent to the ECU under test in a replay test in step e) or initially saved to a file. This file can then be used as a data source in a subsequent replay test of the ECU under test.

[0019] An advantage of the method according to the invention is that recorded communication data can continue to be used even if the underlying communication matrix is ​​changed or modified.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, step d) of the method comprises a further sub-step: d) iii) simulating corresponding messages for the elements of the second communication matrix for which no corresponding element exists in the first communication matrix, by means of residual bus simulation.

[0021] The simulated data is sent to the control unit to be tested or saved in the file.

[0022] Residual bus simulation, particularly in HIL and SIL tests, refers to simulation programs that, when testing an ECU intended to be used in a network of ECUs, simulate the messages expected from the ECU under test, although the ECUs that should send the expected messages are not yet available (neither real nor virtual). According to the invention, such a residual bus simulation is used in step d)iii) for messages to elements of the second communication matrix that have been newly added compared to the first communication matrix.

[0023] The residual bus simulation of the messages to the elements of the second communication matrix that have no counterpart among the elements of the first communication matrix can be carried out during the HIL or SIL test of the control device to be tested. In this case, the method according to the invention can also be regarded as a test method. Alternatively, these messages are generated before the test and stored in a file for later tests, together with the transformed data from step d)i) and the non-discarded data, which can be used further without further processing.

[0024] The residual bus simulation thus offers the possibility of supplementing the recorded communication data. These additional messages can also be generated before the actual test execution. This reduces the simulation effort during the test.

[0025] The implementation of step d)i), i.e. the transformation of the communication data, can also be carried out at least partially by means of the simulation program for the residual bus simulation by adapting or extending it appropriately.

[0026] Preferably, an element of a communication matrix is ​​given by the definition or specification of a PDU of a message (e.g. an I-PDU defined according to AUTOSAR for the payload data of a message with the signals contained therein) or a frame (e.g. a CAN frame) of a message.

[0027] PDUs are defined in a communication matrix, for example, by specifying IDs, their communication path, the signals they contain, and—in the case of service-based communication—by specifying the methods to be used. The communication path here refers to information about the sending and receiving control unit(s) as well as the communication connection used (for example, the port and / or, if applicable, the communication technology such as CAN, LIN, etc.). Typically, a PDU is also assigned a path name that describes the communication path.

[0028] A first higher-level change category is given for a change regarding the PDU or a change regarding the frame that does not affect the content of the PDU or the frame.

[0029] This first change category can have subcategories. For example, one subcategory might include the deletion of entire PDUs or frames, while another subcategory refers to changes involving the addition of a new PDU or frame. Another subcategory refers to changes resulting from a change in a parameter for the PDU or frame, such as changing the port on which the PDU or frame is to be received.

[0030] Preferably, a second, higher-level category of change is defined by a change in the payload data and / or signals in the payload data of the PDU or frame, with subcategories specifying, for example, whether a signal has been added to a PDU compared to the first communication matrix or whether a signal has now been omitted. A change in signal coding is also a possible change category.

[0031] The advantage of categorizing changes is that different instructions for the different categories can be stored in the first program or specified for the first program, for example, in a file to be imported or via a user interface. According to these instructions, the recorded communication data must then be transformed so that it conforms to the second communication matrix.

[0032] If an element in the second communication matrix exhibits changes compared to a corresponding element in the first communication matrix, these changes must also be taken into account when sending the recorded data to the control unit under test, which is configured with the second communication matrix. According to the invention, the communication data is transformed accordingly so that it is recognized by the control unit under test as belonging to the corresponding element of the second communication matrix.

[0033] This requires identifying the corresponding elements of the communication matrices.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, it is carried out by comparing the names and / or path names of the elements in the first communication matrix with the names and / or path names of the elements of the second communication matrix and / or by comparing the identification numbers (IDs) of the respective elements.

[0035] For example, if the second communication matrix is ​​defined by a later version of the first communication matrix, it may be that one or more changes were made to a message during the further development of the control unit network, for example, a signal was added to the PDU of a message. If the path name of this element (the PDU) specified in the communication matrices has remained the same, but there is a change in the form of the added signal, the first program can algorithmically identify that these elements of the first and second communication matrices with identical storage paths are corresponding elements.

[0036] For example, the path name for a first element of the second communication matrix is ​​considered, and then the element of the first communication matrix is ​​searched for an element with the same path name. Once found, a check is made to see whether the specification of the elements in both communication matrices is the same. If the specification contains changes, these changes must be taken into account when replaying the recorded data, and appropriate transformations must be performed.

[0037] If it is known that unique IDs exist for the entire communication matrix or perhaps only with regard to certain clusters of networks or bus systems described therein, these IDs can also be used for comparison and identification of corresponding elements.

[0038] This approach is particularly advantageous if the communication matrices are available in one of the common exchange formats (AR, DBC, LDF, FIBEX, ...), which usually provide ID-based systems for uniquely identifying the elements.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the recorded communication data to be transformed are read from a data stream, particularly sequentially, and steps c)-d)iii) are executed during the ongoing test of the control unit under test. Thus, in this embodiment, no preprocessing of the recorded data is required. They can be sent directly to the test system from their storage location (e.g., on a playback device such as a suitable PC or, if applicable, an AUTERA system from dSPACE GmbH).

[0040] In particular, they are made directly available to the test system via a second communication connection for processing the communication data. The second communication connection can be provided by a physical communication connection, such as an Ethernet connection from a playback device to the test system or even within the test system. Alternatively, the second communication connection can be provided by a virtual communication connection, i.e., a virtual data bus within the test system.

[0041] Preferably, the data transformation, the residual bus simulation, and the message manipulation are performed on the test system using at least a first computing unit and an associated memory unit. Computing unit here preferably refers to a suitable processor unit.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, steps a)-d) ii) are performed prior to the test execution, and the recorded and transformed data belonging to elements of the first communication matrix that have an identical or corresponding element are stored or filed in a file (or another suitable storage location, storage medium, or storage format) and read from the file or similar during a test of the control unit under test. In the following, the term "file" is used in a generalizing manner in this context.

[0043] The data is therefore processed according to the second communication matrix before the test is executed, i.e., before the replay test. This processing can also be performed on another computer, for example, a suitable PC that is equipped with the corresponding parts of the first program, but is not a permanent and mandatory part of the test system. The file is then made available to the test system for test execution, e.g., loaded onto the test system, or the file with the preprocessed data is saved on a playback device, where the data is then read out to the test system during the test of the ECU under test and sent to the test system via the second communication connection.

[0044] The advantage of this embodiment is that this pre-processing reduces the computational effort required to carry out the test.

[0045] In one embodiment, in step c), payload data of messages is determined from the communication data, and the signals in the payload data are compared with the signal specifications provided by the elements of the second communication matrix. The analysis is preferably performed by the test system using the aforementioned data inspection, unless the communication data is read from a file; in this case, the analysis can also be performed, for example, by a suitable additional program on the aforementioned suitable PC.

[0046] The advantage of examining the messages and the payload content is that changes affecting the content of the communication data are also identified and categorized, and the recorded communication data can also be adapted to the second communication matrix in this regard.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the test system comprises a gateway with a configurable filter function, wherein messages that are sent to the test system via the second communication connection and cannot be assigned to any element of the second communication matrix are filtered by means of the gateway.

[0048] For example, messages with an ID that is listed in the first communication matrix but has no equivalent in the second communication matrix can be quickly and efficiently filtered out from the data stream of the recorded data.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the test system transforms and / or manipulates values ​​in the communication data directly before forwarding them to the control unit to be tested via the first communication connection.

[0050] For example, if a temperature signal is specified in Celsius in the second communication matrix, while it was specified in Fahrenheit in the first communication matrix, the invention performs a corresponding value transformation in the communication data. Manipulation occurs when there is a requirement (e.g., user input via a GUI) for an arbitrary change or addition of a value, or when backup data needs to be set or corrected based on new timestamps. One possibility is to use a manipulation program for this (https: / / vm-dshelp1.dspace.de / helpsetid=ConfigurationDeskBusManagerImpleme ntationGuide&externalid=Topic_e2811b6d-f08a-4c30-92ef-a347d1c61bf6_--_&anchor=lguid-0d493517-1b33-4cdb-9c58-f81078cc0790&Language=en-us&Release=RLS2022-A ).

[0051] However, a transformation or manipulation functionality can also be integrated into a program for the residual bus simulation.

[0052] Such transformation or manipulation offers further possibilities to adapt the recorded communication data to the second communication matrix or to change it for testing purposes in order to test the error detection of the device under test.

[0053] Preferably, the second communication matrix is ​​given by a second version of the first communication matrix. In this case, identifying corresponding elements of the communication matrices is generally easier, particularly through corresponding user information regarding changes made.

[0054] In a further embodiment, at least the part of the first program for transforming the recorded communication data is generated by a second program for generating program code and is generated in an optimized form based on the comparison of the communication matrices and user inputs.

[0055] This has the advantage that an optimized first program code can be generated based on the comparison of the

[0056] Communication matrices contain only the specifically required change categories and transformation instructions. This increases the efficiency of the first program and enables more precise and efficient specifications for transforming the communication data. This is particularly advantageous when multiple sets of communication data from multiple test drives were recorded based on the first communication matrix and need to be transformed according to the same second communication matrix.

[0057] The object is also achieved by a test system which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0058] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the test situation at different development stages, Figure 2a shows a schematic representation of an HIL test according to the invention using recorded communication data, Figure 2b shows a schematic representation of an SIL test according to the invention using recorded communication data, Figure 3 shows a flow chart for describing the method step b according to the invention, Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a comparison of elements of a first and a second communication matrix, Figure 5 shows a tabular overview of a possible categorization of changes to elements of a communication matrix.

[0059] The illustration of theFigure 1shows a schematic view of test situations at various development stages of a vehicle. The vehicle is symbolized by a car. The system development progresses over time t. The control units and their communication relationships - e.g. which messages with which ID and which signals are sent via which communication connection from a first control unit to a second control unit - are always described in a communication matrix, on the basis of which the communication system in the vehicle is configured. With a first development stage 1.0, for which a first communication matrix CM1 is current, a test drive with data recording is carried out in order to be able to use it to carry out communication data KD for a laboratory test Lab Test, in particular in the form of an HIL or SIL test. From a later point in time t=tw, a further development stage 2 is used.0 is reached and the first communication matrix CM1 is updated by a second communication matrix CM2. Due to changes in the elements of the second communication matrix CM2 compared to the elements of the first communication matrix CM1, the recorded communication data KD can no longer be used for a laboratory test Lab-Test, since the messages contained therein are no longer recognized as the messages defined in the current communication matrix and are no longer accepted by the control units.

[0060] Figure 2ashows a schematic diagram of a test system TS for an HIL test, which is connected to a control unit DUT to be tested via a first communication connection KV1. The recorded communication data KD is fed to the test system TS from a playback device (not explicitly shown here) in the form of messages via a second communication connection KV2. The communication connections KV1, KV2 can be, for example, bus connections such as CAN or LIN or network connections such as (automotive) Ethernet connections. In an HIL test, in particular for automotive control units, the test system TS has a real-time capable computer system and is also set up to examine the incoming messages, i.e. to inspect the communication data KD. This is indicated in the figure by the magnifying glass symbol.During this examination, the header and payload of the messages can be read out or checked (e.g., for the correct length). The communication data KD is assigned to elements of the first communication matrix CM1 or directly to elements of the second communication matrix CM2 by means of a computing unit (not shown) of the test system TS, and it is determined whether transformation of the data is necessary. In the embodiment shown here, the messages are forwarded to a gateway G, which has a filter function F, so that messages that can be assigned to an element of the first communication matrix CM1 for which no identical or corresponding element exists in the second communication matrix CM2 are directly sorted out.

[0061] For messages whose content or frames require transformation to adapt to the elements of the second communication matrix CM2, appropriate algorithms are applied in the processing unit of the test system TS. For this purpose, the payload data and the signals contained therein are unpacked, processed accordingly, and then repacked for transmission via the first communication connection KV1 to the control unit (DUT) under test. The separate processing of the pure payload data or signals from the messages is indicated by the dotted arrow.

[0062] If the analysis of the communication data KD reveals that certain messages are missing in whole or in part (e.g., missing signals in payload data), corresponding commands are sent to a unit in the test system reserved for the residual bus simulation RBS. If necessary, payload data and signals (indicated by the dashed arrow) are also transferred to the residual bus simulation RBS. For example, if two PDUs from the first communication matrix CM1 are omitted from the second communication matrix CM2, but their signals are now combined in a third "new" PDU in the second communication matrix CM2, the relevant contents of the two PDUs from the first communication matrix CM1 are determined by data inspection upstream of the gateway G and transferred as input to the residual bus simulation RBS to generate the new third PDU.

[0063] This RBS unit can be implemented on the aforementioned processing unit or on another processing unit. The residual bus simulation RBS preferably outputs complete, packaged messages that can be sent to the first communication connection KV1 without further processing. These simulated messages can simulate messages from other control units ECU1, ECU2, and ECU3 to the control unit under test (DUT) that are not present but are required according to the second communication matrix CM2.

[0064] In Figure 2aA symbolic screwdriver also indicates that the test system TS is also configured to manipulate messages before sending them over the KV1 communication connection to the control unit (DUT) under test. Manipulation here means that values ​​from the messages are deliberately changed, particularly for testing purposes. For example, a signal value can be arbitrarily changed according to a user's specifications, or a time-dependent encryption, such as the security codes mentioned above, can be adjusted according to a current counter value. Message parameters can also be changed to test whether the control unit (DUT) responds appropriately to errors.

[0065] Figure 2bshows a test system TS for a SIL test for executing the method according to the invention. In contrast to the HIL test, no real-time capable computer system is required here. The control unit DUT to be tested is available in a software version and can therefore be connected to the simulation via a virtual communication connection KV1. The test system TS is in Figure 2b For example, by a suitable PC, on which the recorded communication data KD is also stored. These are imported via a virtual second communication connection KV2. The examination, filtering, transformation of the communication data, the residual bus simulation and the manipulation of the messages and communication data KD proceeds in principle in the same way as in the Figure 2a described case of HIL testing. The same terms also have the same functions as described there.

[0066] Figure 3now shows a flowchart for the inventive sequence of method step b). For each element of the second communication matrix CM2, a check is made to determine whether an identical element exists in the first communication matrix CM1. If this is the case, the filter F of the test system TS is set so that all messages that can be assigned to these elements of the first communication matrix CM1 with an identical element in the second communication matrix CM2 are passed from the gateway G to the control unit DUT under test.

[0067] If no identical element exists in the first communication matrix CM1, a check is performed to determine whether a corresponding element exists in the first communication matrix CM1. For example, if an element in the first communication matrix CM1 has the same path name, but the content description for the element differs, the type of difference or change is searched for in a predefined list, and a corresponding transformation rule is extracted. The transformation rule corresponding to the change is stored and executed for all messages that can be assigned to the corresponding element of the first communication matrix CM1.

[0068] For all elements of the second communication matrix CM2 for which no identical or corresponding element exists in the first communication matrix CM1, a residual bus simulation RBS of corresponding messages is created for the test execution.

[0069] The comparison of the elements of the communication matrices CM1, CM2 is also shown in Figure 4once again schematically illustrated. The elements E1', E2', E3', E5' of the second communication matrix CM2 are respectively compared with the elements E1, E2, E3, E4 of the first communication matrix CM1. For the first and second elements E1 and E1 'as well as E2 and E2 ', an identity is determined. E3 and E3' are identified here as corresponding elements, e.g. due to identical path names, whereby the check of the content definition, however, reveals changes in element E3 'of the second communication matrix CM2 compared to element E3 of the first communication matrix CM1. No correspondence is found for element E5 'in the comparison. For element E4, it is checked if necessary whether it could be a corresponding element, however, if no specifications for a change from E4 to E5' are available to the system as categorized changes, then messages from the communication data KD that are to be assigned to element E4 are to be discarded for the test.

[0070] Figure 5 shows a schematic example list with categorized changes and corresponding transformation instructions.

[0071] Category Cat0 is also included here for identical elements that do not require transformation. Category Cat1, with the subcategories Cat1.1, Cat1.2, and Cat1.3, describes the changes that affect an entire PDU or frame. Here, the omission of Cat1.1 or the additional occurrence of Cat1.2 in a PDU or frame also represents a change in the elements of the second communication matrix CM2 compared to the elements of the first communication matrix CM1. The transformation instruction in the case of category Cat1.1 is "do not send" the corresponding recorded messages, so these messages are not forwarded to the control unit (DUT) under test.

[0072] The transformation instruction in the case of category Cat1.2 is "Restbussimulation", so that the residual bus simulation RBS is set up to simulate corresponding messages during the ECU test, since these are not present in the recorded communication data.

[0073] Category Cat1.3 describes the case where a parameter of a PDU or frame has been changed, for example, the payload length parameter. The transformation instruction in this case is to change this parameter accordingly during the test for each message assigned to the corresponding element of the first communication matrix CM1, e.g., using the manipulation tool.

[0074] The change category Cat2 concerns layout changes of a PDU, e.g. specifications for the signals transported in the payload of a PDU have changed. Figure 5The possibilities are listed that in category Cat2.1 a signal is missing, in category Cat2.2 a signal has been added, or in category Cat2.3 the coding for a signal has changed. Further categories are conceivable, as indicated by the three dots in the following column.

[0075] It is also possible that multiple categories of changes need to be considered for a pair of corresponding elements E3, E3'. For example, a change in the parameter for the length of the payload according to category Cat1.3 can also be associated with a layout change if an additional signal comes in with a longer payload, as described in category Cat2.2.

[0076] The invention does not require that all changes be recorded and categorized. Simply automatically adapting recorded communication data (KD) through certain predefined changes can be a significant advantage and potentially allow the recorded data to be used for later development stages.

Claims

1. A method for transforming recorded communication data (KD) by means of a first program, the communication data (KD) being given by messages from a network or bus communication, the recorded communication having been carried out on the basis of a first communication matrix (CM1), the recorded communication data (KD) being intended to be sent to a control device under test (DUT) by means of a test system (TS), the test system (TS) being connected to the control device under test (DUT) via a first communication link (KV1), the control device under test (DUT) being configured based on a second communication matrix (CM2), the method comprising the following method steps: a) reading in the first and second communication matrix (CM1, CM2), b) comparing the elements (E1, E2, E3, E4, E1', E2', E3', E5') of the communication matrices (CM1, CM2) by i) assigning identical or corresponding elements (E1, E2, E3, E1', E2', E3') in each case, and ii) categorizing changes in the elements (E1', E2', E3', E5') of the second communication matrix (CM2) relative to the elements (E1, E2, E3, E4) of the first communication matrix (CM1), c) determining the data to be transformed, the data to be transformed being given by such communication data (KD) able to be associated with an element (E3) of the first communication matrix (CM1) corresponding to an element (E3') of the second communication matrix (CM2), the element (E3') of the second communication matrix (CM2) comprising categorized changes (Kat1.3, Kat2.1, Kat2.2, Kat2.3) with respect to the corresponding element (E3) of the first communication matrix (CM1), d) editing the communication data (KD) by i) transforming the particular data according to specified rules for the categorized changes (Kat0, Kat1.1, Kat1.2, Kat1.3, Kat2.1, Kat2.2, Kat2.3), ii) discarding the recorded communication data (KD) to be associated with an element (E4) of the first communication matrix (CM1) for which no identical or corresponding element exists in the second communication matrix (CM2), e) sending the recorded data neither to be discarded nor transformed and sending the transformed data to the control device under test (DUT) or saving the data to be sent in a file.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step d) of the method comprises a further sub-step: d) iii) simulating corresponding messages for the elements (E5') of the second communication matrix (CM2) for which no corresponding element exists in the first communication matrix (CM1) by means of residual bus simulation (RBS), and wherein the simulated data is sent to the control device under test (DUT) or saved in the file.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein an element (E1, E2, E3, E4, E1', E2', E3', E5') of a communication matrix (CM1, CM 2) is given by the definition of a PDU or a frame of a message and wherein a first category (Kat1.1, Kat1.2, Kat1.3) for the change with respect to the PDU or the change with respect to the frame is given and wherein a second category of the change (Kat2, Kat2.1, Kat2.2, Kat2.3) is given by a change of the user data and / or signals in the user data of the PDU or the frame, respectively4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding elements (E3, E3') of the communication matrices are identified by (CM1, CM 2) comparing the names and / or path names of the elements (E1, E2, E3, E4) in the first communication matrix (CM1) with the names and / or path names of the elements (E1', E2', E3', E5') in the second communication matrix (CM2) and / or by comparing the IDs of the respective elements (E1, E2, E3, E4, E1', E2', E3', E5').

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recorded communication data (KD) to be converted is read out from a data stream, in particular one after the other, and steps c)-e) are carried out during the ongoing test of the control unit under test (DUT), wherein the data stream is made available to the test system (TS) via a second communication link (KV2) for processing the communication data (KD), wherein the second communication link (KV2) is given by a physical or by a virtual communication link.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the transforming of the communication data (KD), the residual bus simulation (RBS), and the manipulation of the messages are carried out on the test system (TS) by means of at least one first computing unit and an associated memory unit.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least steps a)-d) ii) are carried out before the test is performed and the recorded and transformed communication data is stored in the file and read out from the file during a test of the control device to be tested (DUT).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step c) user data of messages are determined from the communication data (KD) and signals in the user data are compared with the specifications for signals by the elements (E1', E2', E3', E5') of the second communication matrix (CM2).

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the test system (TS) comprises a gateway (G) having a configurable filter function (F) and wherein messages sent to the test system (TS) via the second communication link (KV2) and unable to be associated with any element (E1', E2', E3', E5') of the second communication matrix (CM2) are filtered by means of the gateway (G).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein values in the communication data are transformed and / or manipulated in the test system (TS) before being passed on to the control device under test (DUT) via the first communication link (KV1).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second communication matrix (KM2) is given by a second version (2.0) of the first communication matrix (KM1).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the first program for transforming the communication data (KD) is generated by a second program for generating program code based on the comparison of the communication matrices (CM1, CM2) and user inputs in an optimized form.

13. A test system (TS), wherein the test system (TS) is configured for performing a method according to any one of the claims 1 through 12.