Virtual Verification Device Using Test Scenario Tree Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing virtual verification environments for software testing in the automotive industry face challenges such as reduced test speed, increased processing load due to complex microcomputer models, and high costs associated with large-scale cloud environments, which hinder efficient software program verification.
Innovation Solution
A verification device and method utilizing a virtual computer to imitate a microcomputer, with a test execution control computer that divides test scenarios into phases, creates a tree structure mapping, and uses snapshots to reproduce common phases, thereby reducing redundant testing and accelerating the verification process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a virtual verification environment is used to test software programs, then the test can be executed automatically under various conditions, but the test speed is reduced to 1/100 to 1/3000 of that of a test using the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the verification process into two distinct parts: (1) a virtual verification environment using virtual machines for automated testing of common scenarios, and (2) a real vehicle environment for final validation. This segmentation allows the majority of tests to run automatically in the virtual environment while minimizing the need for slow real-vehicle testing, thus improving both automation extent and test speed.
2Speed
If a large-scale cloud environment with a large number of physical computers is prepared to execute simulation at speed equivalent to vehicle test, then test speed can be improved, but the cost increases due to requiring a license for each tool used on each physical computer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the microcomputer system using virtual machines that replicate the hardware and software environment. Instead of procuring numerous physical computers, the system uses virtualization to create multiple virtual instances on fewer physical machines, eliminating the need for separate licenses on each physical computer while maintaining test speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a unified cloud-based verification platform that can execute multiple test scenarios across different virtual machine configurations simultaneously. This multi-functional platform consolidates testing capabilities that would otherwise require separate physical computer setups, reducing the total number of physical computers needed while maintaining comprehensive test coverage.
3Reliability
If the microcomputer model for imitating the on-vehicle microcomputer is made more complicated to reflect multicore and multifunctional systems, then the model accuracy is improved, but the processing load in executing the simulation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex microcomputer model into multiple virtual machine instances, each handling specific functional components or cores. This segmentation allows the verification system to distribute processing loads across multiple virtual machines rather than overloading a single complex model, maintaining high model accuracy for each segment while managing overall processing load efficiently through parallel execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for accelerating testing of a software program includes a virtual computer and a test execution control computer. The virtual computer imitates a microcomputer equipped with a software program to be tested. The test execution control computer divides a plurality of test scenarios into common phases; to create and store a tree structure mapping out the plurality of test scenarios, the tree structure where the common phase is followed by a non-common phase, the common phase branched out into the non-common phases. The virtual computer executes the common phase in accordance with the tree structure, and stores as a snapshot a state of the virtual computer. The virtual computer to uses the snapshot to reproduce the state of the virtual computer that has executed the common and non-common phases, when the test execution control computer causes the virtual computer to execute a second test scenario.