Method and system for validating a control program for an automation system, wherein the control program is created in a first controller programming language and is arranged and setup to control an apparatus or device of the automation system when executed by an automation controller of the automation system, where the system includes a controller environment for executing the control program, an equipment simulation environment for executing a simulation program for simulating behavior of the apparatus or device or parts thereof, whereas the equipment simulation environment is communicatively coupled to the controller environment to enable and/or perform a simulation of the automation system, and whereas the simulation program is created in the first controller programming language or a second controller programming language.

In order to test an autonomous behavior controller for a technical system, the following are input: a machine model for physically simulating the technical system; an environment model modelling an environment of the technical system; as well as a disruption model modelling potential disruptions in the environment. Disruption data is generated by means of the disruption model, and the environment model is modified according to the disruption data. Environment-specifically simulated sensor data the technical system is then generated by means of the modified environment model and the machine model. According to the simulated sensor data, control data is generated for the technical system by the autonomous behavior controller. An operating behavior of the technical system induced by the control data is then simulated by means of the machine model. Furthermore, a performance value quantifying the operating behavior is determined and output as a test result.

A method for connecting an input/output interface of a testing device equipped for testing a control unit to a model of a technical system present in the testing device. The interface connects the control unit to be tested or connects a technical system to be controlled; the model to be connected to the input/output interface is a model of the technical system to be controlled or a model of the control unit to be tested. The testing device has a plurality of input/output functions connected to the model and provides an interface hierarchy structure and a function hierarchy structure. The method has an automatic configuration of compatible connections between the interface hierarchy structure and the function hierarchy structure so that the model present in the testing device communicates through the compatible connections with the control unit to be tested or the technical system to be controlled.

An improved tool and technique for performance quality testing of a synthesized controller or a controller-in-development is disclosed. A controller's performance in a test run within a simulation testing environment is quantitatively compared to an optimal performance parameter as defined in a controller performance model. Deviation between these compared results is recorded as an indicator of poor controller performance. Only deviating test results are recorded for review to guide further fine tuning or modifications of controller settings, and to save mass storage space. The controller performance test runs autonomously and may be automatically restarted should any failure within the simulation environment occur.

Method and system for validating a control program for an automation system, wherein the control program is created in a first controller programming language and is arranged and setup to control an apparatus or device of the automation system when executed by an automation controller of the automation system, where the system includes a controller environment for executing the control program, an equipment simulation environment for executing a simulation program for simulating behavior of the apparatus or device or parts thereof, whereas the equipment simulation environment is communicatively coupled to the controller environment to enable and/or perform a simulation of the automation system, and whereas the simulation program is created in the first controller programming language or a second controller programming language.

A configuration system for configuring a test system suitable for testing an electronic control unit, wherein a configuration diagram has a plurality of hierarchy elements, and a hierarchy element either has one hierarchy element or multiple hierarchy elements or no hierarchy element. The hierarchy element has an identifier, and wherein a hierarchy element has port(s) or no port, and wherein at least one hierarchy element is assigned to a functional property of the test system to be configured, wherein in an expanded view mode, the hierarchy elements are displayed at least partially nested and the ports and identifiers are shown one below the other, wherein in an at least partially collapsed view mode, a first set of hierarchy elements is shown such that the identifiers are shown side by side, wherein the ports and identifiers remain visible and the hierarchical relationship of the hierarchy elements remains displayed.