Asynchronous ECU Emulator Simulation for Multi-Clock Automotive Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques struggle to simulate a test environment for multiple electronic control units (ECUs) in automobiles, as they operate at different clock rates, making software-based simulation challenging and impractical.
Innovation Solution
The development of ECU emulators that operate asynchronously at different clock rates, with a system scheduler maintaining speculative times and allowing for the rerunning of tasks by setting the clock back to a previous time, enabling the simulation of a mechanism system controlled by multiple ECUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HILS (Hardware In the Loop Simulation) is used to test multiple ECUs, then testing accuracy is improved, but device cost and preparation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a software-based copy of the ECU execution environment that replicates the behavior of actual ECUs without requiring physical hardware. The simulation apparatus emulates ECU operations through software processes, allowing multiple ECU instances to be tested simultaneously in a virtual environment, thereby eliminating the need for expensive dedicated hardware devices while maintaining testing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical HILS hardware system with a software-based simulation system. Instead of using physical ECU devices connected through hardware loops, the invention uses software processes running on general-purpose computers to simulate ECU behavior and their interactions, substituting the entire hardware-based testing infrastructure with a software equivalent
2Reliability
If HILS is used to test multiple ECUs, then testing accuracy is improved, but testing time increases enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The software-based ECU copy enables parallel execution of multiple ECU simulations without the physical reconnection requirements of HILS. Each ECU can be instantiated and tested simultaneously in the software environment, allowing comprehensive multi-ECU scenario testing to be completed in a fraction of the time required by hardware-based methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares and configures all ECU simulation environments beforehand in the software system. Test scenarios can be pre-programmed and multiple ECUs can be instantiated in advance, allowing testing to begin immediately without the time-consuming physical setup and reconnection procedures required by HILS
3Device complexity
If SILS (Software In the Loop Simulation) is used for single function verification, then device cost is reduced, but multi-ECU simulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal software-based simulation platform that can handle both single ECU verification and multi-ECU scenario testing through the same infrastructure. The system is designed to be multi-functional, allowing it to adapt to different testing requirements by configuring appropriate numbers and types of ECU emulator processes, thereby providing both cost-effectiveness and multi-ECU capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the simulation system into independent ECU emulator processes that can run individually for single-function verification or be combined in groups for multi-ECU scenario testing. This modular process architecture allows flexible configuration where each ECU is represented by a separate software process that can be instantiated, configured, and executed independently or in coordination with others
4Adaptability or versatility
If physical ECU replacement is performed in HILS, then testing different scenarios is possible, but preparation work and reconnection effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The software-based ECU copies allow instant switching between different ECU configurations and scenarios without physical manipulation. Test scenarios can be changed by loading different software configurations or parameter sets, eliminating the time-consuming physical ECU replacement and reconnection operations required by HILS
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic software-based ECU configuration system where ECU parameters, communication protocols, and interaction patterns can be changed on-the-fly without physical reconfiguration. The system adapts to different testing scenarios by dynamically adjusting software parameters and process behaviors, providing scenario versatility without the static physical constraints of hardware-based systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer readable article of manufacture for simulating a mechanism system controlled by a plurality of electronic control units operating at different clock rates. The simulation system includes a mechanism system simulator; a plurality of electronic control unit emulators for electronically emulating the respective plurality of electronic control units, each thereby receiving an input signal with a time and giving an output signal with a time; and a scheduler for receiving and storing the output signals with the times from the plurality of electronic control unit emulators, and for providing, in response to a change in the output signal coming from the electronic control unit emulator and having a relatively late time, the output signal with a time preceding the relatively late time to the mechanism system simulator.