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Several application developers are currently faced with the problem of moving a complex system from a single-core to a multicore platform. The problem encompasses several issues that go from modeling issues (the need to represent the system features of interest with sufficient accuracy) to analysis and optimization techniques, to the selection of the right formulations for constraints that relate to time. We report on the initial findings in a case study in which the application of interest is a fuel injection system. We provide an analysis on the limitations of AUTOSAR and the existing modeling tools with respect to the representation of the parameters of interest for timing analysis, and we discuss applicable optimization methods and analysis algorithms.

The paper describes the components of an envisioned open source framework that supports several stages in the model-based development of two- and three-wheelers software controls. The proposed solution supports the runtime execution on an OSEK-compatible [8] real-time operating system for multicore platforms. The framework consists of a modeling and simulation tool (including hierarchical state machines) and a code generator for the development of the functional model of controls and the definition of their task implementation; an OSEK/AUTOSAR operating system and device driver stack; OS and I/O configuration tools. The platform has been released open-source under an industry-friendly license. Our framework is currently in use for the development of innovative two-three wheelers control systems at Piaggio. In this paper we describe the experience matured in the application development, the benefits and current limitations of the approach.

Modern automotive embedded systems are characterized by timing constraints at different levels in the design hierarchy and flow. System-level functions like modern active-safety functions are characterized by end-to-end constraints that span several ECUs and buses. ECU-level functions, like fuel injection controls need to cope with stringent resource requirements, tight time constraints and event-driven computations with different execution modes. This paper introduces some of the models, the techniques and the tool integration methods developed in the context of the INTERESTED project to guarantee timing correctness at all levels in the flow. In addition, we outline the issues arising from the application of these techniques to a fuel injection case study.

Future automobiles are required to support an increasing number of complex, distributed functions such as active safety and X-by-wire. Because of safety concerns and the need to deliver correct designs in a short time, system properties should be verified in advance on function models, by simulation or model checking. To ensure that the properties still hold for the final deployed system, the implementation of the models into tasks and communication messages should preserve properties of the model, or in general, its semantics. FlexRay offers the possibility of deterministic communication and can be used to define distributed implementations that are provably equivalent to synchronous reactive models like those created from Simulink. However, the low level communication layers and the FlexRay schedule must be carefully designed to ensure the preservation of communication flows and functional outputs.

The advent of active-safety and safety-critical functions, including by-wire systems, and the interdependency of these functions is rapidly changing the scenario of automotive systems. OEMs need to understand and control functional and timing properties, including end-to-end latencies of distributed computations. The evaluation of the timing behavior can be very complex, considering the communication and synchronization model between application tasks, middleware, and network drivers, and the scheduling choices for tasks and messages. In this view, the timing behavior of CAN messages is of very high importance. In this paper we present some of the challenges in the evaluation of CAN message latencies.

Emerging technologies provide opportunities for the implementation of advanced car features enhancing the safety and the comfort of the driver, but at the same time, the correct implementation of these features imposes new design challenges on electronics, software, and controls designers due to the large number of in-vehicle computers and serial data communications. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive view of methods and tools that support the designers in facing such challenges. We propose an approach for quantitative architecture exploration based on the scoring of the possible alternatives via metrics of interest, and we illustrate some early results with a case study example.