Abstract Testcase Generation for Multi-Unit Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating system-level testcases for complex systems comprising multiple units is challenging, as existing methods fail to effectively coordinate unit operations and account for complex interfaces, leading to inefficient testing and potential bugs in computerized devices.
Innovation Solution
The approach divides generation tasks into system-level and unit-level tasks, using a system-level generator to create an abstract testcase and unit-level generators to perform specific tasks, with the system-level generator providing instructions to unit-level generators, allowing for modular and efficient testcase generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose CSP solver is used to generate testcases for complex multi-unit systems, then the generator can handle various test templates, but the generation efficiency decreases and computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testcase generation process into two distinct phases: system-level generation that creates abstract testcases using a test template, and unit-level generation that generates concrete instructions for each unit. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex multi-unit systems efficiently by separating the abstract test scenario creation from the detailed instruction generation, thus maintaining versatility while improving generation efficiency.
2Productivity
If system-level and unit-level generation tasks are separated, then generation efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple generators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the system-level generator and unit-level generators into a unified testcase generation apparatus that works cooperatively. The system-level generator produces abstract testcases that are then processed by unit-level generators to create final test instructions. This merging approach allows the system to benefit from divided generation tasks while maintaining a coordinated structure that manages complexity through standardized interfaces and shared test template processing.
3Ease of operation
If existing testcase generation methods are used for complex systems, then the process is simpler, but the ability to coordinate unit operations and detect bugs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces abstract testcases as an intermediary representation between the system-level test requirements and unit-level implementation details. These abstract testcases serve as a mediator that captures system-wide coordination requirements while allowing unit-level generators to produce appropriate instructions. This intermediary layer ensures that bug detection capability is enhanced by maintaining visibility into unit operations and their coordination, while the process remains manageable through the structured two-phase generation approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A system-level testcase may be generated by performing system-level generation tasks by a system-level generator to produce an abstract testcase. Based upon the abstract testcase, one or more unit-level generators may generate the testcase. The testcase may be utilized in simulation of operation of a system-under-test (SUT). The testcase may be utilized for verification of the SUT. The SUT may comprise a plurality of units. The unit-level generator may be associated with units of the SUT and perform generation tasks associated with pertinent units.