Computer-based system for testing a server-based vehicle function

Abstract

A computer-based system for testing a server-based vehicle function, which is designed to implement a method comprising the following steps: a function model of the vehicle function is simulated by a first simulator on a server, an at least partial vehicle model is simulated by a second simulator and the vehicle function is tested, while a data connection between the first simulator and the second simulator is systematically influenced.

Claims

1. A computer-based system for testing a server-based vehicle function, which, running on a server situated at a distance from the vehicle, ascertains a return value, which is transmitted to the vehicle, a vehicle control unit controlling operation of the vehicle as a function of this return value, the computer-based system being configured to implement a method comprising the following steps: in a first subprocess, using a first simulator to perform a simulation that simulates an execution by the server of a function model of the vehicle function, the simulation being performed without use, during the first subprocess, of the server, without use, during the first subprocess, of the vehicle control unit, without use, during the first subprocess, of a data connection network, and without use, during the first subprocess, of a connectivity control unit that is configured to control data communication between the server and the vehicle control unit over the data connection network; determining, based on the simulation using the first simulator, whether implementation of the vehicle function using the server provides an added value compared to implementation of the vehicle function locally on the vehicle without the server; and in a second subprocess, subsequent to a result of the determination being obtained which is that the added value is provided, using a second simulator to test the vehicle function by executing the function model on the server by which the server performs the data communication over the data connection network with the connectivity control unit to provide input to the vehicle control unit, in response to which the vehicle control unit provides an output for the controlling operation of the vehicle, wherein: the output is trasmitted to a hardware-in-loop (HiL) simulator that simulates the operation of the vehicle with models; and the test is performed while an information chain between the vehicle control unit and the server is systematically influenced.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first simulator and the second simulator are integrated in a common simulation environment, and the simulation environment includes portions of a control unit model that are relevant for controlling the vehicle function.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the simulation environment is an individual computer that includes a simulation model of the data communication.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data connection network comprises a real mobile telephony connection.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the connectivity control unit is situated in the vehicle.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the output of the vehicle control unit is provided to the HiL simulator via a cable harness.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the server is situated outside of the vehicle and the vehicle control unit and the HiL simulator are situated in the vehicle.

8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the vehicle control unit is an engine control unit, and the vehicle function is a torque coordination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in greater detail below.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of an example method according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an MiL test environment for cloud-based functions in a schematic representation.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a corresponding HiL test environment for cloud-based functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary test method (10) having two subprocesses (11, 12), which may be used independently of each other.

(6) The first subprocess (11) is used in an early phase of development. For this purpose, first the cloud-based function is modeled and in the MiL simulation environment (28), illustrated in FIG. 2, is integrated with simulation models (28) made up of a model (22) of all relevant vehicle components and a relevant environment model and driver model and, respectively, a model (24) of the control unit and a model (25) of the connectivity control unit (CCU). The connection between the modeled cloud-based function (21) and further simulation models (28) is implemented via a simulation model (23) of the mobile telephony connection. The MiL tests run on a computer without control unit hardware and cloud server. This makes it possible to examine the interfaces for completeness and to test various scenarios such as, e.g., the effects of a signal interruption or a variable latency period. The latter may be implemented by varying the influence variables (parameters) in the simulation model of the mobile telephony network. Using this method, it is possible to verify whether the cloud-based functions achieve the added value by using cloud information. For this purpose, the cloud data (29) are modeled as input for the simulation model of the cloud-based function.

(7) Within the scope of the second subprocess (12), all components from control unit (34) to connectivity control unit (35) and the mobile telephony network to server (30) are subjected to an application-specific test in the HiL test environment shown in FIG. 3. Thus it is possible to test the overall system with respect to various influence factors without a test vehicle.

(8) For this purpose, the function model is simulated on server (30). Server (30) is networked with connectivity control unit (35) via a mobile telephony connection (33). This essentially corresponds to the implementation of the cloud-based function of a real vehicle. A control unit (34) to be tested is connected to an HiL simulator (37) via a cable harness (36). The vehicle, the environment and driver model (32) run in real time on the HiL simulator. Control unit (34) includes the entire software with the exception of the function portions outsourced to server (30). The cloud information (39) that is required for the cloud-based function is stored on server (30). In this subprocess (12), the entire information chain from control unit (34) to the cloud-based function on server (30) may be examined systematically. This method makes it possible to evaluate the effect of the real mobile telephony connection on the functionality of the cloud-based function. Server (30), on which the cloud-based function (31) runs, may be located in a different geographic area such as e.g. a different building or even another country. The control unit (34) to be tested, the connectivity control unit (35) as well as the HiL simulator (37) may be situated in particular in mobile fashion, for example in a test vehicle. By moving this test vehicle, it is then possible to evaluate the effect of the real mobile telephony connection (33) on the functioning of the cloud-based function (31) in interaction with control unit (34) in a particularly realistic manner.

(9) Additionally, in the described exemplary embodiments, it is possible to check the interaction of cloud-based function (31) with the entire control software in control unit (34).

(10) Let it be assumed by way of example that the function for the calculation of the maximally admissible torque of an electric machine is transferred to the cloud in the manner described. In this example, the calculation is to be optimized by route information such as, e.g., the length of the route traveled, the road gradient or the ambient temperature. The maximum torque exerted by the electric motor is used here as input variable for additional functions and plays an important role in the torque distribution between the electric machine and an alternatively provided internal combustion engine.

(11) In the course of the second subprocess, a comparison is possible in this scenario between the torque coordination on the part of the cloud-based function and of the embedded function, as is an interruption of the mobile telephony connection (33) and investigation of its consequences or of the influence of the latency period on the torque coordination.