104 The test systems are individually tailored to the relevant target system which is reproduced with simulated and partly also with real vehicle environments. For this purpose, tried and tested hardware and software components specified by the customer are usually combined with individual simulation and test components. Softing Automotive offers an extensive test kit for this purpose, based on decades of experience. Particular Focus on Contacting, Error Simulation and Signal Conditioning High flexibility is the prerequisite for the most universal possible use of a test system. The particular focus on contacting ensures a highly reliable connection of the device under test (DUT). For this purpose, connection cables with original connectors for use in the laboratory or in the climate chamber, complex needle bed contacts for series tests and also hand contacts, for example, are used. Another important focus is error simulation with which the diagnostic capability of the ECU is ensured. This means that errors such as “Short circuit to UBatt”, “Short circuit to ground” and “Open load” can be verified for individual pins without damaging the error simulation or the connected measurement technology. Softing has a number of different error simulations available which have proved themselves for many years now in a large number of test systems of all kinds of ECUs. They can easily and flexibly be integrated into the test system via the CAN interface. Finally, attention also has to be paid to signal conditioning when connecting the ECU sensors and actuators to measurement and data acquisition systems (DAQ). Depending on the signal type, easily scalable and highly reliable modules are used for this purpose, for example for adapting current and voltage levels, galvanic isolation, protective circuitry or signal filtering. The Advantage: Comprehensive Use Case Scenarios The Softing test systems are distinguished by the fact that a wide variety of applications can be defined. One example of this is the driver simulation: Today, the interaction between the driver and the vehicle is extremely complex. Modern vehicle cockpits have a large number of controls. Even simple cockpit elements, such as indicator levers, have a considerable range IT and Automotive Test Systems for Simulating Any Conceivable Test Scenario From contacting and signal conditioning to mechatronic, environment, error and driver simulation By Armin Baumann, Graduate Engineer, Managing Director of Softing Automotive Modern vehicles are full of increasingly complex vehicle components and ECUs. They contain extensive hardware and software functionality that has to be checked, verified and safeguarded from all sides. This task is particularly challenging because it takes a long time during vehicle engineering before these components are installed in a real vehicle and can thus be tested in a real environment. With individual function and hardware-inthe-loop (HiL) test systems, any conceivable test scenario can be covered and easily simulated in the laboratory without risking real vehicles or endangering the lives of test drivers. Images/Graphic: © Softing Automotive Driver simulation for force sensitive switches Environment simulation: rain light simulation
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