Modular Test Bench Compatibility Checks for Revision Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacturing of mechatronic systems, particularly in automotive engineering, test benches often produce errors due to incompatible combinations of hardware and software revisions between test benches and test objects, leading to pseudo errors even when the hardware is capable of testing the object, which can result in unreliable test results and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for a modular test bench that receives information on hardware and software revisions of both the test bench and the test object, checks compatibility against a dataset of interoperable combinations, and outputs a check signal to enable or inhibit testing, ensuring interoperability and reducing pseudo errors by verifying compatibility before allowing test execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If test benches use modular hardware with different hardware and software revisions, then the test bench can be upgraded to support future test objects and not every test object needs to be supported by every test bench, but pseudo errors occur due to incompatible combinations between test bench and test object even when the hardware is capable of testing the object
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compatibility checking by comparing hardware revision information and software revision information before test execution. The evaluation logic determines whether the combination of test bench and test object fulfills predetermined criteria based on stored interoperable combinations, preventing pseudo errors before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through check signals that indicate whether a test bench is approved or non-approved for a particular test object. This feedback mechanism allows operators to adjust configurations or update software/hardware to achieve compatible combinations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If compatibility checking is performed before test execution, then pseudo errors are reduced and test result reliability is improved, but additional processing steps and data management requirements are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses information copies of hardware revision data and software revision data stored in a dataset, rather than directly accessing the actual hardware and software components during compatibility checking. This allows compatibility evaluation without adding physical complexity to the test bench hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation logic serves multiple functions: it checks compatibility, generates check signals, and manages the dataset of interoperable combinations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a method for operating a modular test bench is disclosed, wherein the modular test bench comprises at least one test module to test a test object. The method comprises receiving first information on a hardware revision and on a software revision of the test module and receiving second information on a hardware revision and on a software revision of the test object. The method further comprises determining, if the combination of the first information and the second information fulfills a predetermined criterion and outputting a check signal, enabling the use of the test bench if the combination of the first information and the second information fulfills the predetermined criterion.