Search Results

Traditionally, bench testing of electronic control unit (ECU) software relies heavily on the use of static simulators. They are simple to set up and low cost. However, static simulators lack the programmability, I/O scalability, and the support for new sensor and actuator interfaces. They do not have standard and extensive support for test automation, which is critical for achieving a high degree of test case coverage and regression testing. Lastly, they are unable to take advantage of plant models for closed-loop testing. In short, with the increasingly sophisticated ECU technologies, static simulators can no longer keep pace with the testing requirements that an ECU development team must meet. In this paper, Opal-RT and Delphi present the development of a new modular bench top simulator designed to replace the static simulators currently in use.

Automotive manufacturers and Electronic Control Unit (ECU) vendors have been struggling with the challenges of providing calibration development capabilities in the mass production intent ECU's while keeping the cost of the mass production ECU's and associated tools to a minimum. Delphi Delco Electronics Systems has been working with Motorola Semiconductor and Infineon to add this capability into new microcontrollers to allow the ECU calibration variables to be monitored and calibration constants to be changed in real-time on the production intent ECU's. This technology has been successfully introduced to ECU customers and has demonstrated a significant savings in tool costs and assisted in improving the accuracy of calibration constant data values.