Published: dSPACE Magazine 2/2014, Sep 2014

How has the AUTOSAR standard evolved from a dSPACE point of view?

After more than ten years of hard  work, the standard is now a core component  in many countries. AUTOSAR  is a technologically mature and extensive  standard that can be used internationally.  But the standard has not  been put into practice equally in all  regions. Although the initial interest is  still strong in Europe, the same cannot be said for other markets. But dSPACE  remains internationally active and continues  to create commonly accepted,  state-of-the-art means for the development  and exchange of software  in vehicle development.

Our customers have successfully used our products in production projects for a long time.

How important is the AUTOSAR standard for dSPACE?

The AUTOSAR standard has entered  all traditional vehicle domains, from  vehicle electronics, to vehicle dynamics,  to the drivetrain. The standard  also increasingly replaces established  description formats, which now  have a common basis. This is especially  true for descriptions of bus system  communication. Here, AUTOSAR  is used more frequently than DBC, LDF, and FIBEX. This makes it possible  to introduce new technology  such as Ethernet into the vehicle.  The dSPACE tool chain supports  AUTOSAR standard developments  in all stages.

How does dSPACE contribute to AUTOSAR organizational work?

From day one, in 2004, dSPACE has been a premium member of the AUTOSAR partnership and  has always been active in the  AUTOSAR working groups. As a  provider of tools for the development  and testing of electronic control  units, we use our know-how to  promote standardization. We develop  description formats for function  components and software architectures,  and work on communication  protocols. We also support the  efforts to use the well-established  methods of rapid control prototyping  and bypassing in AUTOSAR  development projects

How does dSPACE include the standard in its solutions?

We develop new applications that generate added value for our customers, all based on the AUTOSAR standard. dSPACE SystemDesk, for example, makes developing software architectures and generating virtual electronic control units possible. These can be validated in early development phases using dSPACE simulation platforms such  as VEOS. This is only possible with  the AUTOSAR standard. But the  standard is also becoming a part of  other tools to provide new possibilities created by the standard and  to have a product range that can  be used in all development stages.  Some examples are AUTOSAR-compliant  code generation with  dSPACE TargetLink and the AUTOSAR-  compliant use of bus formats  for configuring hardware-in-theloop  systems. Another example is  rapid control prototyping in combination with AUTOSAR modules and  bypassing of AUTOSAR electronic  control units. dSPACE invests not  only in these tools but also in optimizing  how our tools are put to use.  Often, a small investment yields big  returns. The experienced AUTOSAR  experts at dSPACE Engineering are  there to support these services.

We want to create added value by adapting the development methods for real AUTOSAR ECUs to the virtual world.

Where can dSPACE products be used for AUTOSAR-compliant development?

The AUTOSAR standard covers many areas, and one provider alone cannot cover all of them. At dSPACE, the AUTOSAR standard focuses on the company’s core competencies. Thanks to the advanced maturity of the AUTOSAR standard, dSPACE tools can be used together with the  solutions of other providers in customer projects.

AUTOSAR has entered all areas of traditional vehicle electronics.

How successful is dSPACE with AUTOSAR?

For a long time, our customers have successfully used our hardware and software in production projects. The PSA article in this issue  describes a striking example. PSA’s approach has become common practice in Europe and is gaining importance across the globe. Virtual  validation is a prominent and often-discussed topic in the automotive markets. dSPACE has recognized the potential for this application field very early and is considered to spearhead innovation in applications for  frontloading tests – while ensuring a seamless transition to hardware-inthe-loop tests.

What does the future hold for AUTOSAR at dSPACE?

We are currently preparing Release R4.2 of the AUTOSAR standard, which our products will support as soon as possible. The quick support of new releases is a top priority for us. At the same time, we want to increase the added value for our customers, by adapting development
methods for real electronic control units to the virtual world, for example. One solution is to introduce bypassing to virtual ECUs.


Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Stroop.

Joachim Stroop is Lead Product Manager for SystemDesk at dSPACE GmbH.

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