Virtual Control Unit Signal Integration With External SPI Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual control unit simulations lack realistic integration of peripheral devices, particularly SPI devices, leading to complex and error-prone software reproduction, which hinders the testing of control software components.
Innovation Solution
A method for a virtual control unit that allows users to select between simulated and external signal values for input signals, using a microcontroller abstraction layer with a software component to integrate these values, and a USB-SPI adapter to connect external peripheral devices, enabling realistic testing of control software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simulated signal values are used in virtual control unit testing, then testing can be performed without external hardware, but the realism and accuracy of the testing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB-SPI adapter as an intermediary device that bridges the personal computer and external SPI peripheral devices. This adapter enables the virtual control unit to receive real signal values from external hardware while running on a PC, thus maintaining both ease of testing (virtual environment) and testing accuracy (real signal values). The adapter acts as a mediator that connects the virtual testing environment with physical hardware without requiring a complete HIL setup.
2Reliability
If external SPI peripheral devices are connected to provide real signal values, then testing realism is improved, but the device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The USB-SPI adapter serves multiple functions: it connects external SPI peripheral devices to the personal computer, enables the virtual control unit to receive real signal values, and maintains compatibility with the existing virtual testing environment. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to address multiple requirements (realism, ease of use, compatibility) without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of the control unit that copies the essential functionality and interface behavior of the real control unit. This virtual control unit can be tested with real signal values from external devices while maintaining the simplified environment of a personal computer. The virtual model replicates the critical aspects needed for testing without requiring the full complexity of physical hardware-in-the-loop setups.
3Reliability
If hardware-in-the-loop testing is implemented with mass-produced control units, then comprehensive testing is achieved, but the development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary testing of control software using a virtual control unit before the mass-produced control unit is available. Developers can perform comprehensive software testing, including integration with external SPI devices, in advance using the virtual environment. This preliminary action allows most testing to be completed earlier in the development cycle, reducing the need for extensive later testing with physical hardware and thereby reducing overall development time.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual control unit serves as a copy or model of the mass-produced control unit, allowing comprehensive testing to be performed on this virtual representation. By testing the virtual control unit with external SPI devices, developers can validate software behavior, signal processing, and integration scenarios without waiting for physical hardware. This copying approach maintains testing completeness while significantly reducing development time and costs associated with waiting for mass-produced units.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for integrating at least one signal value into a virtual control unit. The virtual control unit is executed on a simulation platform by means of a personal computer and requires at least one input signal, wherein at least one signal value can be assigned to the input signal. A simulation function provides at least one first simulated signal value to the virtual control unit. The microcontroller abstraction layer has a software component for integrating the first simulated signal value and a second external signal value into a virtual control unit, wherein the second external signal value is provided by an external peripheral device. A user makes a selection for the input signal via a user interface as to whether the software component is to use the first simulated signal value or the second external signal value.