Haar near Munich, September 13, 2022 – With Softing TCS, Softing Automotive presents a new product for the efficient simulation of individual ECUs up to entire vehicles. Modern diagnostic simulation is the solution for all cases in which the remote station is not yet or no longer available for testing. This is typically the case in the validation of functionalities in early phases of component and vehicle development, in tester regression tests as well as in teaching facilities where many different test objects in a wide range of variants are required for training purposes. The Softing solution consists of a simulation hardware, a configuration application and an API for integrating the hardware into test automations.
The creation of test sequences often faces a challenge along the entire value chain: The counterpart to the test is missing. Especially in the test field, however, it is essential to develop the test methodology at an early stage so that functional tests can then be carried out when the ECUs or vehicles are available. With Softing TCS, test sequences can be created and verified during ECU and vehicle development. The entire communication path, including the vehicle communication interface (VCI) and the cabling, is tested so that all sources of error can be excluded at an early stage.
The tester software used in the field, which is required in the workshop and service environment for diagnostics and repairs, is provided with new functionality at regular intervals through software updates. The ECUs required for a regression test must be available in their entirety and in all variants in order to ensure sufficient test coverage. Since this is usually not possible, a simulation is required. Softing TCS enables the tester to perform the regression test without having to keep all available vehicles with different software and ECU variants on hand. With simulation via Softing TCS, the selection of ECUs and ECU variants is very simple: only simulation files have to be exchanged in the device. This can be done manually via the intuitive graphical user interface or conveniently in test automation via the automation interface.
Training and teaching facilities at component and vehicle manufacturers, as well as workshop and service staff, regularly require a variety of vehicles of different makes and models for training purposes. Where these are difficult to procure or keep on hand, simulation with Softing TCS comes into play. A simulation file matching the desired model is simply loaded into the simulation hardware. Diagnostics can then be learned in the training room without having to use a lifting platform.
