SystemDesk

Modeling system architecture and generating virtual ECUs

SystemDesk is a system architecture tool that provides sophisticated and extensive support for modeling AUTOSAR architectures and systems for application software. Additionally, SystemDesk generates virtual ECUs (V-ECUs) out of the application software. The V-ECUs can be used as units under test with the dSPACE simulation platforms, such as the PC-based simulation platform VEOS for validating the ECU software.

SystemDesk 5.1

The new version of SystemDesk enables the generation of virtual electronic control units (V-ECUs) based on the AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform.

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Video: Example Workflow for SystemDesk

These software demo videos give you a deeper insight into the functions of SystemDesk.

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Successful ECU Software Development with SystemDesk and EB tresos Studio

Webinar Recording: This webinar demonstrates how to develop ECU software from the software architecture to the basic software with SystemDesk and EB tresos Studio.

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Generating Virtual Electronic Control Units Based on AUTOSAR

Webinar Recording: This webinar demonstrates how to generate virtual electronic control units (V-ECUs) based on AUTOSAR, including the integration of basic software components.

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Introducing AUTOSAR, Workflows and Tools

Webinar Recording: This webinar, hosted by dSPACE and Elektrobit, provides a basic introduction to the up-and-coming AUTOSAR standard for developing in-vehicle software.

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AUTOSAR implemented

To optimize cooperation with the electronic control unit suppliers, PSA decided to make the development process for drivetrain ECUs AUTOSAR-compliant. To do this efficiently, PSA set up a tool chain that seamlessly supports elementary process steps from creating the architecture to actual implementation. Several AUTOSAR-compliant production projects have since been successfully completed.

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Success in series

From the very beginning, dSPACE has actively supported the development and widespread use of the AUTOSAR standard and has inspired many customers to work with dSPACE’s AUTOSAR-supporting tools. The many successful projects and innovative developments encourage dSPACE to further boost AUTOSAR support. Joachim Stroop, Lead Product Manager and AUTOSAR expert at dSPACE, gives insight into the current activities.

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Virtual ECUs in Action

Classic hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation uses the real electronic control units (ECUs) to test whether their software functions correctly. Now virtual validation and virtual ECUs are providing new potential for more efficient, high-quality HIL simulation tests.

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Design and Analysis of a Controller

From the System Design Idea to AUTOSAR Architecture with Basic Software Modules.

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Safely Excluding Serious Errors

In model-based development, software is developed at a high level of abstraction, i.e., as a model, and the C code implementation is automatically generated from the model. The high degree of abstraction allows intuitive application development and increases development efficiency.

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Efficient modeling, including plausibility checks and correction suggestions
Flexible generation of virtual ECUs, e.g., with your own basic software, for early validation with VEOS
Complete and documented API for automation

Application Areas

SystemDesk is a system architecture tool that provides sophisticated and extensive support for modeling AUTOSAR
architectures and systems for application software. Comprehensive graphical support facilitates the first use but also enables efficient and error-reduced working in large-scale projects.

Additionally, SystemDesk makes it possible to validate ECU software at an early development stage. Therefore, virtual ECUs (V-ECUs) with dSPACE basic software (BSW) or your own BSW can be generated from the application software and used as units under test with the dSPACE simulation platforms, such as the PC-based simulation platform VEOS for validating the ECU software.

Key Benefits

Efficient use due to convenient dialogs, editors, and diagrams
Easy and fast generation of V-ECUs based on AUTOSAR and non-AUTOSAR software for validation purposes
V-ECUs including application software and dSPACE basic software for testing application software or your own basic software for integration tests
Reliable project quality by means of comprehensive rule-based validation of consistency and correctness
Convenient development process due to the automation of recurring tasks or remote control with third-party tools via the automation API

Functionality	Description
AUTOSAR modeling	Modeling of software architectures and systems according to the AUTOSAR standard Clear overview due to graphical modeling with diagrams Sophisticated editors and dialogs for easy and faultless data entry Data exchange: flexible and easy-to-configure import and export of ARXML files Complete support of the AUTOSAR meta model¹⁾ Import of communication matrices (DBC, LDF, FIBEX)
V-ECU generation	Generation of V-ECUs for simulation with VEOS, SCALEXIO, and MicroAutoBox II V-ECU generation based on AUTOSAR-compliant and non-AUTOSAR-compliant code Creating V-ECUs for the AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform For testing application software, V-ECUs can include dSPACE basic software For testing basic software or functions that require realistic basic software functions, production basic software can be integrated Support of the Ethernet Driver module for integrating third party Ethernet stacks in V-ECUs For testing application software, you can use the mostly automatic configuration and generation of required basic software modules Integration of your own basic software modules (optional), e.g., for diagnostics tests and test of the complete ECU software Now supporting basic software based on the Eth, CAN, LIN, Pwm, Fls, Eep, Port, Dio, Adc und Mcu MCAL modules for VEOS Handling of A2L memory sections With a wrapper, existing Classic AUTOSAR Software Components can be turned into Adaptive Applications
Process support	Comprehensive rule-based validation of the system architecture and ECU software regarding consistency, correctness, and completeness Easy data exchange with dSPACE’s code generator, TargetLink Usable with every AUTOSAR-compliant basic software configuration tool Support of AUTOSAR Revisions R4.3.1, R4.3.0 R4.2.2, R4.2.1, R4.1.3, R4.1.2, R4.1.1, R4.0.3, and R4.0.2 Completely documented automation API for automating tasks such as report generation, software architecture creation, and automatic V-ECU generation Hyperlink connection between model elements and single requirements in a requirements management tool, such as IBM^® Rational^® DOORS^® Scripts running on Python 3.6

¹⁾SystemDesk 5.x only

Application Areas

The SystemDesk Modeling Module enables the modeling of AUTOSAR software architectures and systems containing one or more networked AUTOSAR ECUs. It supports the software architecture development process from modeling software components (SWCs) to specifying system aspects including the hardware topology and network communication.

Key Benefits

Easy workflow and intuitive working environment
Easy start in working with AUTOSAR
Ideally suited for large production projects
Reliable data exchange between different project members

Application Areas

For virtual validation applications, the SystemDesk V-ECU Generation Module lets you configure and generate virtual ECUs (V-ECUs). To create a full V-ECU, software components, functions or C code from different sources can be combined in SystemDesk. To test the system's overall behavior, V-ECUs can be used for PC-based simulation with VEOS as soon as the C code implementation is available.

Depending on your test focus, you can do the following:

Integrate dSPACE basic software into the V-ECU generation to test the application software.
If the BSW modules available with the dSPACE basic software do not suffice, you can use your own production BSW to test the BSW itself or functions that require realistic BSW behavior.

Key Benefits

Guided creation of V-ECUs on the basis of the software architecture
Support of AUTOSAR-based and non-AUTOSAR-based approaches
Automatic configuration of dSPACE basic software for the simple and fast preparation of V-ECUs
Automatic configuration of production BSW that can be generated with third-party BSW generator tools and used to generate V-ECUs (available for some modules)
Integration of production BSW above the Microcontroller Abstraction Layer (MCAL)
Automatic processes for V-ECU generation possible due to a complete automation API
Comprehensive validation of the software architecture model for direct feedback in case of problems

Working with SystemDesk

SystemDesk supports the development process with numerous features for intuitive working:

AUTOSAR-Compliant Modeling
Use SystemDesk’s authoring capabilities to create and edit software architecture and system descriptions according to the AUTOSAR standard.
Generation of Virtual ECUs for Simulation
Use SystemDesk to generate virtual ECUs (V-ECUs) that include dSPACE's or your own basic software modules to get a realistic representation of the real ECU. The V-ECUs are based on AUTOSAR- or non-AUTOSAR-compliant code. Simulate the V-ECU with VEOS to validate your software in a PC-based simulation.
Dialogs and Diagrams
For an easy and efficient capture and configuration of common AUTOSAR data, SystemDesk offers convenient, preconfigured dialogs. Additionally, special diagrams of the software architecture and system elements help keep an overview of your model.
Data Exchange with TargetLink
You can exchange data seamlessly between SystemDesk and dSPACE's production code generator, TargetLink. This gives you a secure process for including the actual functionality in the software architecture in a model-based development environment.
Project Validation
Use SystemDesk’s validation functionality to ensure that your AUTOSAR architecture is complete and consistent before giving it to a project partner for basic software (BSW) configuration and before generating a V-ECU – and save time by finding problems as early as possible. You can define your own validation rules to also check compliance with company-specific project requirements.
Complete and Documented Tool API
Use the open tool API to automate recurring design tasks and extend the features of SystemDesk according to project-specific requirements or even use it to create a completely automated tool chain for V-ECU generation.
Application Software and BSW Integration
For testing the ECU software, you can either combine your application software with dSPACE basic software (BSW) modules or import your own BSW. Importing your own production BSW lets you test your basic software or functions that require realistic BSW input, such as diagnostics functions. If your test focus is the application software, using the dSPACE BSW is more convenient, as it is automatically generated and configured according to the systems requirements.