Automated Test Case Generation for Control Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing control devices with time-dependent functionalities are inefficient and prone to errors due to the complexity of manually translating target functionalities into signal patterns, often omitting essential time dependencies.
Innovation Solution
A method that records target functionalities with time dependencies in a formal, semantically unambiguous language, generates requirements models, and translates these into signal patterns directly, using availability analysis to account for reaction time intervals without relying on error models, enabling comprehensive and flexible testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual translation of target functionality into signal patterns is performed, then testing can be carried out, but the process is extremely time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of translating target functionality into test cases and signal patterns with an automated computer-based system. The testing device automatically generates test cases from target functionality specifications and translates them into signal patterns, eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing both time consumption and error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing device performs self-service by automatically generating test cases and signal patterns from the target functionality without requiring manual translation. The system autonomously carries out the entire test preparation process, from understanding the target functionality to producing executable test signals, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy and time consumption.
2Device complexity
If time dependencies are omitted in test case generation, then the testing process is simpler, but essential time dependencies are missed leading to incomplete testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by explicitly capturing time dependencies during the test case generation phase before actual testing occurs. The system identifies and records time constraints, reaction times, and temporal relationships in the target functionality, then incorporates them into the generated test cases and signal patterns, ensuring complete testing without excessive complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If error models are used for test generation, then test cases can be derived, but the process becomes comparatively complex requiring both ok model and error model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional error-model-based approach by generating test cases directly from the target functionality (ok model) without requiring separate error models. Instead of deriving tests from error conditions, the system generates comprehensive test cases that inherently cover both normal and error scenarios by exploring the state space and transition relationships defined in the target functionality specification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves acquiring a time dependency-containing target functionality in formal language as a requirement, where the functionality comprises an action and an expected reaction. A requirement model is generated from the requirement. Test cases are generated by performing an achievability analysis carried out in the model while considering the time dependency of the functionality. The cases are transformed into signal patterns. The patterns are applied to the apparatus by a test device via a signal interface. Pertinent state variables of the apparatus are detected with the test device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a computer program with program code for executing a method for testing a control apparatus with a test device (2) a test device for testing a control apparatus.