Eric Sax

Multiparadigm modeling in embedded systems design

Embedded electronic systems for monitoring and control of technical processes (electronic control unit-ECU) are systems comprised of heterogeneous components (hardware, software, sensors, actuators, power electronics), thus making high demands on their development. Describing different aspects and views of the whole system, subsystem, or component requires according modeling paradigms for requirements specification, design, hardware implementation, software code generation, verification, integration, and testing. The first part of the paper surveys characteristic ECU features and describes a design strategy and the related technology, bringing out the necessity of multiparadigm modeling. Examples from automotive ECU applications are used throughout the paper. With respect to the problem that currently available tools provide insufficient support, integration strategies for multiparadigm modeling based on multiple tools are surveyed in the second part, concluding with examples from our own research activities.

Model based scenario specification for development and test of automated driving functions

Research and evaluation of algorithms and system architectures for automated driving advanced to a stage where transition from prototyping to series development seems practicable in some extent. While particular systems for environmental perception play a key role in advanced driving assistance systems, we still lack feasible methods for specification and validation of complex driving scenarios. This leads to increased effort in testing and inconsistent requirement definition along different development phases. In this paper we propose a methodology for abstract positional and temporal description of driving scenarios. The approach utilizes a movie related and omniscient view composed of sequential acts. Each act combines both states and interactions of distinct participants as well as the rudimental scenery. Selective events trigger changes in conduct leading to transitions between acts. Graphical visualization provides simple presentation of complex scenarios. Rule sets provide consistency checks and support semi-automated generation of test cases. The presented methodology facilitates model based test specification and requirements design constituting a consistent characterization of system environment from early concept and development to validation.

A Taxonomy and Systematic Approach for Automotive System Architectures - From Functional Chains to Functional Networks.

Technological advances enable realization of increasingly complex customer features in the automotive sector. Traffic jam pilot or predictive energy management depict examples of recently introduced features that span across different conventional vehicle domains. The increased interconnectivity and functional complexity impose new requirements on the automotive systems engineering practice. The resulting challenge is to develop integrated approaches that combine the established procedures with innovative techniques. To address this challenge, we present a comprehensive taxonomy for existing automotive features. Based on this characterization, established industrial and new research approaches for logical system architectures are consolidated. We introduce levels of hierarchy in the logical system architecture to facilitate systems engineering of innovative functions and highly distributed features. The systematic approach provides a novel rationale for the evolution from functional chains to functional networks in the automotive industry.

Prediction of energy consumption for an automatic ancillary unit regulation

The growing electrification within road traffic increases the demand for energy efficiency, especially for battery electric vehicles. In addition, they face the challenge to be suitable for daily use and to be able to compete although having a smaller vehicle range as combustion vehicles. A reliable prediction, weather you reach your desired destination with the energy available or not, is essential from the driver’s point of view. The basis for an automatic ancillary unit regulation is the exact prediction of the total required energy. In this paper, we present a model that calculates the energy demand of a battery electric vehicle for any route including the energy for propulsion and electric ancillary units. This model is tested on two example scenarios, which show the importance of taking environmental data into account while predicting the energy demand. This work builds the foundation stone for further investigations.

Design and Simulation of Heterogeneous Embedded Systems

Designing, verifying and testing heterogeneous embedded systems will not feasible without the intensive use of design methodologies and supporting computer aided design tools. Requirements Engineering at the beginning of a top down design flow results in formal specifications for the desired system and component behavior and a list of design constraints. These are the basis for documentation as well as for modeling, system simulation, parameterized component design and hardware/software-codesign. Finite element analysis and simulations on various levels of abstraction are necessary to characterize parameterized functions (e.g. sensors and actuators built on different micro technologies and materials) and generate macro models in a bottom up design flow to verify each design step for component integration, system integration, packaging and interconnects, especially dealing with parasitics and cross sensitivities. As an example, several design tasks for a miniaturized (currently the worlds smallest) laser Doppler velocimeter are discussed.

Cloud-based remote virtual prototyping platform for embedded control applications: Cloud-based infrastructure for large-scale embedded hardware-related programming laboratories

The design and test of Multi-Processor System-on-Chip (MPSoCs) including software is one of the biggest challenges in todays system design. This applies in particular when short time-to-market constraints impose serious limitations on the exploration of the design space. The use of virtual platforms can help in decreasing the development cycles. In this paper, we present a cloud-based environment allowing the design of virtual platforms and prototyping of the system including complex software with prerecorded data or testbenches. Afterwards, the created design can also be synthesized for Xilinx FPGAs. Additionally, this paper presents the use of this remote virtual prototyping environment in a hardware-related programming laboratory with more than 350 participating undergraduate students. This large number of attendees leads to a lot of issues regarding the supervisory relationship as well as providing enough hardware resources in terms of boards. Nevertheless, we want to give the students hands-on experience when programming an embedded system on an FPGA-board. The cloud-based infrastructure allows us to respond to these difficulties by implementing a Software-in-the-Loop simulation based on an instruction set simulator. Doing so the students can design and implement their codes for the targeted architecture and prototype and debug it on a virtual platform. Since the course is mandatory we expect many students with limited experience about hardware-related programming. In this paper we show that especially these students will profit from the additional possibilities which are offered by a remotely available virtual prototyping platform.

Connected efficiency – A paradigm to evaluate energy efficiency in tactical vehicle-environments

As traffic density is increasing, determination and optimization of energy consumption of vehicles can no longer be considered in isolation to their reactive environment. Optimization of energy efficiency is a connected issue of considering interactions between vehicles in their tactical vehicle-environment. In this paper we present a definition of tactical vehicle-environment on multilane roads and introduce the term connected efficiency. The connected efficiency facilitates the quantification of energy efficiency across several vehicles. The utilization of connected efficiency is shown in a simulated highway scenario.

Testen vernetzter Elektroniksysteme

Viele Innovationen und Produktdifferenzierungen, die entsprechend der Kundenerwartungen mit der fortschreitenden Fahrzeugentwicklung angeboten werden, hangen zunehmend von der Leistungsfahigkeit der Elektronik ab. Aber gerade solche „Hightech-Features“ mussen den beim Kunden gleich gebliebenen, hohen Zuverlassigkeits- und Preiserwartungen entsprechen. Deshalb konzentriert sich die MBtech Group auf das „Testen vernetzter Elektroniksysteme“ mit ausgereifter Testautomatisierung und praxisorientierter Testmethodik.

Testing Security of Embedded Software Through Virtual Processor Instrumentation

More and more functionality that demands remote access on a vehicle is integrated into modern cars. Fleet management, infotainment, updates-over-the-air and the upcoming functionality for autonomous driving need gateways that enable a car-2-x communication. Misuse is a threat. Consequently, security mechanisms play an increasing important role. But how can we show and prove the effectiveness of these security functions?

A Generic System for Automotive Software Over the Air (SOTA) Updates Allowing Efficient Variant and Release Management

The introduction of Software Over The Air (SOTA) Updates in the automotive industry offers both the Original Equipment Manufacturer and the driver many advantages such as cost savings through inexpensive over the air bug fixes. Furthermore, it enables enhancing the capabilities of future vehicles throughout their life-cycle. However, before making SOTA a reality for safety-critical automotive functions, major challenges must be deeply studied and resolved: namely the related security risks and the required high system safety. The security concerns are primarily related to the attack and manipulation threats of wireless connected and update-capable cars. The functional safety requirements must be fulfilled despite the agility needed by some software updates and the typically high variants numbers.