Device Driver Qualification Using Emulated Error Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for qualifying device drivers, such as hardware-in-the-loop tests, require expensive equipment and are time-consuming, especially when testing for robustness and rare cases, necessitating the use of real hardware under extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using device emulators to simulate device behavior and perform error injection tests, eliminating the need for real hardware and allowing for faster, automated testing within a virtualization environment, thereby reducing costs and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-in-the-loop tests with real devices are used to qualify device drivers, then test accuracy and reliability are improved, but test time and equipment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical device through a device emulator that replicates device behavior, timing characteristics, and failure modes. This virtual model allows comprehensive device driver testing without requiring physical device presence, thereby reducing test time while maintaining qualification reliability through accurate behavior emulation
Solution Approach 2:
The device emulator is prepared in advance with pre-configured test scenarios, error conditions, and device behavior models. By having the virtual device and test environments ready beforehand, the system eliminates setup time and allows immediate execution of device driver qualification tests, significantly reducing overall test time
2Reliability
If hardware-in-the-loop tests with real devices are used to qualify device drivers, then test accuracy and reliability are improved, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical test equipment with a software-based device emulator that replicates device functionality. This virtual model eliminates the need for expensive pulse generators, oscilloscopes, and physical test rigs, reducing equipment complexity and cost while maintaining test validity through accurate behavior simulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical and electrical test equipment with a software-based virtual device model. The device emulator runs as software that replicates device behavior through code rather than physical hardware, replacing complex electrical equipment with simpler computational systems that achieve the same testing objectives
3Productivity
If device emulators are used to perform error injection and rare case testing, then test speed and automation are improved, but test realism may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device emulator implements dynamic behavior models that adapt to different test scenarios, allowing the virtual device to exhibit realistic responses under various conditions. The emulator can dynamically switch between normal operation modes and error states, maintaining test realism while enabling high-speed automated testing through software control
Solution Approach 2:
The device emulator allows modification of device behavior parameters through software configuration, enabling realistic simulation of rare cases and error conditions without physical device modification. By changing operational parameters, timing characteristics, and failure modes in the virtual model, the system maintains test realism while achieving high productivity through automated parameter adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a computer program containing instructions, and an apparatus for qualifying a device driver for a device. After a test environment is initiated, a test on the device driver is performed. This involves a device emulator emulating a behavior of the device under stipulated conditions. During the test, the device emulator performs an error injection or a test on at least one rarely occurring case.