CAN Emulation Architecture Using HAL for Vehicle Network Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing vehicle networks and their operations with associated devices is complex due to the intricacies of vehicle computing systems, making it difficult to simulate and test scenarios effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves generating CAN messages using an emulator, interpreting events through a database file, mapping these events to hardware abstraction layer properties, and invoking the HAL to simulate and test vehicle network configurations with reduced complexity and increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle network testing is performed using traditional methods, then testing coverage can be achieved, but system complexity and testing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) as an intermediary between the operating system and the vehicle network hardware. This HAL provides standardized interfaces and communication protocols, allowing testing to be performed without directly dealing with the complex underlying hardware variations. The HAL acts as a mediator that translates high-level testing commands into hardware-specific operations, thereby reducing testing complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual representations (emulators) of electronic control units (ECUs) and vehicle network components. Instead of testing each physical ECU and network configuration separately, the system uses software-based copies that replicate the behavior and communication patterns of real hardware. These virtual ECUs can be instantiated, configured, and tested in various scenarios without requiring physical hardware, significantly reducing testing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If physical ECUs are used for testing, then realistic scenario simulation is achieved, but adaptability to different operating systems and configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware abstraction layer that can interface with multiple operating systems (Linux, Windows, QNX, etc.) and different vehicle network configurations through standardized protocols. The HAL provides a common interface layer that works across diverse platforms, allowing the same testing framework to adapt to different operating systems and hardware configurations without requiring platform-specific modifications. This universal approach enables realistic scenario simulation while maintaining broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual ECUs that are software-based representations of physical control units. These virtual instances can be deployed on any operating system that supports the required virtualization and communication protocols, eliminating the limitation of physical ECUs being tied to specific hardware platforms. The virtual copies maintain realistic communication behavior while providing cross-platform compatibility through software-based implementation.
3Reliability
If comprehensive vehicle network scenarios are tested, then testing thoroughness is improved, but testing time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-configured testing scenarios and templates that define common vehicle network test cases in advance. These pre-defined scenarios include typical communication patterns, error conditions, and edge cases that can be quickly instantiated and executed. By preparing test configurations beforehand rather than setting them up during actual testing, the system achieves comprehensive testing coverage while reducing the time required to execute test suites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual ECUs and simulated network environments that can be rapidly instantiated and disposed of, allowing multiple test scenarios to be executed in sequence without the time penalty of physical hardware setup and teardown. Virtual environments can be cloned, modified, and executed programmatically, enabling comprehensive scenario testing to be performed much faster than with physical ECUs while maintaining testing thoroughness.
Data Source
AI summary
A Controller Area Network (CAN) message is received from an application emulator. Based on a first file that includes, for each of a plurality of CAN message names, an ECU event identifier, an ECU event included in the CAN message is determined. Based on a second file that maps the ECU event to a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) property, a hardware abstraction layer is invoked; the CAN message is sent to the HAL, which responds to the CAN message.