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Current in-vehicle electronics are based on networked modules. Knowing this and taking into account the rapidly increasing number of network nodes in cars, the proper functionality and interoperability of network interfaces produced by various manufacturers is an important pre-requisite in order to obtain a good quality system operation. One way to ensure good interoperability of network interfaces is to apply conformance tests. The following paper therefore outlines the specification of such conformance tests, as they are defined by ISO. Along with the specification of standard conformance tests a set of test extension is proposed checking the proper functionality of a network interface according to its register interface to the processor and its proper behavior in (random) stress situations - referred to as random or robustness tests. Finally an implementation of a tester performing the conformance tests is introduced.

Current vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) communicate with each other through networks. Easy integration of these ECUs into a system obviously requires well-standardized network interfaces and corresponding components, which meet the standard properly. One efficient means to ensure that communication interfaces are compliant with the standard is a conformance test standard. As CAN is a widely used communication standard interface in vehicles ISO has worked out a CAN conformance test standard, which is expected to be published as a Draft International Standard - DIS - by end of 1998. This article describes the developing standard, the implementation of a corresponding tester, and how conformance tests are performed. Further, more necessary extensions for more efficient conformance testing with better test coverage are discussed.