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In this paper, an integrated approach that overcomes the tool and process inefficiencies in model-based development (MBD) of automotive embedded control unit (ECU) software is presented. This is done by first leveraging the Model-in-the-loop (MiL) technique on the desktop PC environment where the use of state-of-the-art plant models significantly accelerates the pace of software design, testing and calibration. Thereafter, the automatic generation of ECU code from the models allows the Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) technique to be used. This step brings a higher level of confidence in the implementation of the software without requiring ECU hardware. Finally, the software is downloaded to a development ECU and the Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) technique is used to verify that the software behavior is identical to that observed in the MiL and SiL environments.

Over the last two decades, adoption of model-based techniques for the development of ECU software has resulted in major gains in productivity across the automotive industry. However, the fact remains that the majority of the ECU software today is still hand-written using the “C” programming language. Further, the need to shorten the development time, reduce costs and increase the quality of the ECU software has driven companies to adopt virtual (PC-based) simulation techniques rather than rely on expensive in-vehicle and dynamometer set-ups. This has lead to a situation where the two development philosophies (models and hand-written code) need to be properly integrated in order to fully capitalize on the advantages of PC-based techniques. For the complete ECU system to be simulated, typically, automatically generated C-code from other tools must be integrated as well.