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This paper describes a Virtual Validation Cloud (V₂Cloud), a new computation platform designed for extensive failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) of an automotive electronic control system. Recently, automotive developers have been requested to execute enormous amounts of system-level tests in order to assure functional safety of electric control systems. Moreover, the upcoming industry standard, ISO26262, demands that system-level validation assures extensive sets of test vectors and clarifies results of the tests as evidence of functional safety. It is unrealistic to execute these system-level tests by only using conventional hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS). Virtual HILS (VHILS), a system-level validation environment for automotive systems based on co-simulation of software and mechatronics, has already been proposed. Virtualizing an automotive electronic control system makes its testing environment more software-centric and independent of actual hardware.

This paper describes Virtual-Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation (VHILS), a new validation method for real-time control systems. HILS integrates multiple-technology domain simulators and uses no actual hardware components. Target software in binary code formats are executed with CoMET™, a virtual processor platform and physical layer signals are emulated with MATLAB®/Simulink®. Thus, VHILS can replace HILS, which is widely used for control software validation today. The VHILS was applied to the development of adaptive cruise control system (ACCS), and driver maneuvering, vehicle dynamics, microcontroller operation and CAN communication were modeled. The data exchange between multi-domain simulation and communication modeling were identified to be the primary causes of longer computational time.

This paper proposes a new development method for highly reliable real-time embedded control systems using a CPU model-based hardware/software co-simulation. We take an approach that allows the full simulation of the virtual mechanical control system including CPU and object code level software. In this paper, Renesas SH-2A microcontroller model was developed on CoMET™ platform from VaST Systems Technology. A ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) system and engine control system were chosen to prove this concept. The ETB (Electronic Throttle Body) model on Saber® simulator from Synopsys® or engine model on MATLAB®/Simulink® simulator from MathWorks can be simulated with the SH-2A model. To help the system design, debug and evaluation, we developed an integrated behavior analyzer, which can display CPU behavior graphically during the simulation without affecting the simulation result, such as task level CPU load, interrupt statistics, software variable transition chart, and so on.

In the past few years, the demands for more complex system development and the ever-increasing requirement for hardware and software improvements have increased the need for a virtual embedded system where the hardware, microcontroller and software co-exist at the simulation level. This paper discusses the implementation of an approach that allows the full simulation of the embedded system. In the scope of this paper the definition of an embedded system refers to the electro-mechanical plant, the microcontroller, the peripherals and the software. The sensors and actuators are developed with a conservative type simulator such as Saber from Synopsys. The microcontroller and the attached peripherals are developed and modeled with the Comet environment from VaST. The microcontroller simulator is instruction cycle accurate. We are describing an innovative concept that will allow co-simulation between the two simulators.

The role of sensors and sensing technologies for the next generation vehicle systems are discussed. The control systems for engines and power-train are expected to realize high efficiency with low pollution and comfort drivability. Vehicular safety and chassis control systems are expected to avoid many kinds of traffic accidents caused by the human errors of drivers. Vehicular information systems will help the drivers to get the information to manage their vehicles economically and efficiency. In every system mentioned above, sensors and sensing technologies are playing an increasingly important role. This paper introduces and discusses essential technologies for sensors and sensing which can be expected to bring the solutions to the future automotive systems.

The current status of automotive electronics in Japan and the prospects for the ’80s are described in this paper. Semiconductor technologies are focused on first. Such technologies have been the greatest driving force for progress in automotive electronics, and will undoubtedly continue to be so in the future. The cost-performance ratio of semiconductor systems will increase several tenfold this decade. Highly integrated CMOS LSIs will replace other LSIs in automobiles, because they are better suited to the severe conditions found in automotive systems. New solid-state sensors and actuators using new materials and technologies will be developed in this decade. Microprocessor control systems will spread to most makes and models of cars in this decade. Control technology will become more sophisticated. Some on-vehicle systems will be linked to each other and on- and off-vehicle networks will be developed.