White Paper: Test & Measurement
Engineering Quality from the Source – Developer-Driven Testing in Automotive
SPONSORED BY: ![]()
The introduction of the first modern vehicles in the late 19th Century kickstarted the automotive industry. Since then, we have swiftly moved through the mechanical era to the electronic are and into our current state: the software era. As advances in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD) have taken center stage and point to a bright future for the transportation industry, increased vehicle complexities need modern development and testing procedures. It all raises a critical question: what does it truly take to bring these high-tech vehicles safely to the roads?
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Overview
The document discusses the challenges and advancements in the development and validation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD) technologies. As vehicles become increasingly complex, the need for modern development and testing practices is critical to ensure safety and compliance with evolving regulations.
The traditional V-model of software development, which includes distinct phases for development and validation, is deemed insufficient for the rapid pace of automotive innovation. This gap between developers and validation teams can lead to inefficiencies and delays. To address this, the document advocates for the adoption of Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), and Continuous Testing (CT) practices. These methodologies enable developers to test software continuously throughout the development cycle, allowing for quicker identification of bugs and alignment with new requirements.
Automation plays a key role in enhancing the CI/CT pipelines, where automated processes can trigger tests and integrate changes seamlessly into the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software. This approach not only accelerates the development cycle but also fosters collaboration among teams, breaking down silos that previously hindered integrated testing.
The document highlights the importance of scenario-based testing and the shift towards virtual test environments, such as Software-In-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing. Cloud-based solutions, like dSPACE's SIMPHERA, are presented as essential tools for parallel validation, enabling teams to conduct extensive testing that traditional methods could not achieve alone.
Regulatory compliance is another critical aspect discussed, with manufacturers needing to navigate various regulations, including UN regulations and ISO standards, to ensure the safety and functionality of their products. The document emphasizes that as the complexity of vehicle software increases, so does the number of required tests for validation, making risk assessment a fundamental consideration in the testing process.
In conclusion, the document asserts that to keep pace with the rapid evolution of automotive technologies, manufacturers must embrace integrated testing practices and automated workflows. By doing so, they can enhance the reliability and safety of ADAS and AD features, ultimately ensuring that these advanced systems can be trusted on the roads.