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Systems tend to be very complex. Modular approaches therefore provide the only basis for efficient solutions of today and the future. Modular approaches require well defined standard interface, especially if standard products supplied from third parties are considered to be integrated into the system for further cost effectiveness. These ideas are considered to be the guidelines for application systems' design as well as for tester systems. The following paper focuses on test systems especially. A generic model, taking into account the various constraints for tester applications, describing a “lean” modular architecture is derived. The todays achievements and the directions into which further efforts for enhanced tester design must go are highlighted: Provide sufficient interfaces for efficient access to system under test. Provide generic (tester) module interfaces for optimal modular design and easy integration of third parties' modules.

The overall complexity of future cars requires new design methods for effective and high quality results. A new VLSA-approach (VLSA = Virtual Leveled Systems Architecture) for modelling networked systems is proposed. As a support for the application design engineers a set of so-called Virtual Memory network drivers is described encapsulating the implementation details of the actual network protocol resulting in more economic and higher quality solutions. In the first step a software network driver set for VMO-level (VMO = Virtual Memory driver level O) is proposed for CAN networks based on 96- and 51-family controllers. As a complement to the design phase support a set of network development tools is mentioned helping the engineers in the test phases of networked systems.

Cars networked electronics represent very complex systems. Ruling this complexity is a great challenge to future cars system designers. As there are no analytic solutions to the problem only good modelling in conjunction with trial and error methods will be apropriate to attack the problem. In order to produce results in a timely and cost effective manner a new generation of System Design Tools is needed to support the system design process. In the following paper a new method for assessing the system design problems is proposed: VLSA - Virtual Leveled System Architecture. A set of Network Development Tools - Simulator, Emulator, Analyzer, etc. - is discussed as the basis for efficient system design support.

Multiplexing within motorcars, that means using invehicle- controller-networks, is a new trend to push car developement to more economics, to less pollution, to more security and to more convenience. More and more functions will be integrated into the networks which will grow larger and larger. That leads to so called structured or hierarchical networks. One main difference of controller-nets in comparison with other local area networks is, that they have to meet realtime requirements. Messages, crossing the communication lines, have to do that within a certain time to fullfill certain control functions. To support all phases of network developement, beginning with planning and ending with test and maintenance, an according toolset family - comprising Simulator, Emulator and Analyzer - has been introduced by I + ME-Company [0], [1], [14], 19]. This paper results from a joint venture between Fachhochschule and I + ME-Company in Wolfenbüttel, Germany (FRG).

Future cars' architecture will be based on networked electronics. Designer of such networked systems envisage a new class of highly sophisticated complexity. Therefore a new class of appropriate system design support tools is required. This paper describes a full set of such tools, consisting of a Network Simulator, a Network Emulator and a Network Analyzer. The Simulator is used for system layout purposes without the need for actual system's hardware. The Emulator replaces in real time real system's component. The Analyzer is used for verification of the system's layout in the actual real system. As network is the backbone of future cars' systems network development tools are fundamental for efficient cars' system design.