Processor Emulation Switching for Flexible SIL Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing simulation methods lack flexibility in selecting models and target platforms, leading to inefficient and inflexible processor emulation, particularly in software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing, where processor models are often predetermined and not optimized for execution speed.

Innovation Solution

A method that initially executes simulation models on an emulated processor type, allowing for flexible selection of target platforms and processors, even if the emulated type matches the real processor, and switches to different emulations if necessary to ensure successful completion, enabling efficient hardware utilization without pre-determined configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If simulation models are executed on emulated processors to enable flexible target platform selection, then adaptability is improved, but execution speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in selecting target platformsVSAvoidexecution speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting processor type information before executing the simulation model. The system proactively identifies whether the real processor type matches the emulated processor type required by the simulation model, and only then decides to execute directly without emulation. This preliminary detection enables the system to avoid unnecessary emulation overhead while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the execution mode flexible and adaptive. The system dynamically switches between two execution modes: (1) direct execution when processor types match, and (2) emulation when processor types differ. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize execution speed based on the specific scenario while maintaining the capability to simulate different processor architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If processor emulation is used to enable hardware-independent simulation, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware-independent simulation capabilityVSAvoidsimulation execution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of processor type information before initiating simulation execution. By detecting whether the real processor type matches the required emulated processor type in advance, the system can directly execute simulation models without emulation overhead when possible, thereby improving productivity while maintaining hardware-independent simulation capability through selective emulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making emulation selective rather than universal. Instead of applying emulation to all simulation executions, the system applies emulation only locally to specific cases where the real processor type differs from the required emulated processor type. For cases where processor types match, direct execution is used, optimizing productivity without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If simulation models are compiled for specific processor types, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessor-specific optimizationVSAvoidflexibility in model deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a simulation system that can handle multiple processor types through a single unified interface. The system detects the required emulated processor type from the simulation model and automatically configures the execution environment accordingly. This allows simulation models compiled for specific processor types to be deployed flexibly on different real hardware platforms without requiring manual reconfiguration, combining processor-specific optimization with deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between simulation models compiled for specific processor types and diverse real hardware platforms. By detecting processor type information and selectively applying emulation or direct execution, the system mediates the compatibility between compiled models and target hardware, maintaining both manufacturing precision for specific processors and ease of operation for deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4538877B1Method for carrying out a simulation on a real processor
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 DSPACE SE & CO KG
  • EP4538877B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c

AI summary

According to the invention, a method for executing a simulation on a real processor of a first processor type is provided, wherein the simulation comprises at least one simulation model compiled for the first processor type, with the following method step: executing the simulation model compiled for the first processor type on the real processor of the first processor type as an emulation of the processor of the first processor type. This provides a possibility to achieve great flexibility in the selection of the models as well as in the selection of the target platform of the simulation.