Softing Smart Diagnostic Engine | SDE

Platform-independent runtime system for diagnostic functions, sequences and services over the entire life cycle.

Softing´s Smart Diagnostic Engine (SDE) is a high-performance runtime system which interprets and runs simple diagnostic services and even complex and automated diagnostic sequences. It is based on the Softing Diagnostic Base System and uses the standardized diagnostic formats ODX and OTX and extends these with a simple to operate API. The SDE, which can be used modularly and independently of the platform, is implementing a paradigm shift in diagnostics. The additional Smart Diagnostic API focuses on the function-oriented application of diagnostics without requiring in-depth diagnostic knowledge. Simultaneously the SDE makes it possible to access the API interface ‘remotely’. At the same time it continues to support all relevant diagnostic protocols and bus systems. The fact that it does not depend on a specific platform results in continuous reusability in the product life cycle.

Setup and Components of the Smart Diagnostic Engine (SDE)

Areas of Application

Engineering: as the basis for diagnostics or programming for test systems in the lab, on test assemblies or in engineering fleets
Testing: as an independent automation component integrated in test benches or HiL test systems
Manufacturing: as an end-of-line update and test system, for automated programming stations or in independent flash applications during vehicle shipping
After Sales: integrated in the repair shop tester or as a component for diagnostics in the back end

Advantages

Accelerated implementation of proprietary engineering or repair shop testers thanks to simplified API and reduced familiarization time
Platform-independent use of the SDE under Windows, Linux, Android and iOS throughout the life cycle
A single component for diverse requirements of today‘s diagnostic tasks
Remote access and thus future-proof use for, e.g., SOTA use cases
Depending on the degree of automation, can be used with or without user interface
Continuous reuse of diagnoses, projects and sequences already created
Integration of components already available, even external ones, such as Java Jobs
Automated calls possible without interface

Overview

ODX/OTX runtime system

Incredibly High-Performance, Low System Requirements, with UDS, OBD and J1939 Sample Templates.

The SDE is based on the Diagnostic Base System and is a high-performance runtime system which serves both diagnostic communication over individual services (ODX) and complex diagnostic sequences (OTX) extremely efficiently. The support of all standard diagnostic protocols and standards, such as UDS, DoIP, J1939, KWP, OBD and D-PDU API, as well as the bus systems CAN/FD, Ethernet and LIN over Vehicle Communication Interfaces (VCI) is part of the basic scope of the SDE. Simulated communication over a virtual interface is also available for first tests. Depending on the VCI used, the SDE enables parallel communication with several ECUs. This facilitates the simple parallel flashing of ECUs, for example.

Thanks to its low system requirements and high performance, the Softing SDE is not only suitable for PC use but also for embedded systems. The runtime formats also contribute to this. These are used depending on the required data process and also have extreme data reduction to offer.

The delivery scope includes templates and examples for an even simpler and faster use of diagnostics. These templates include a sample project for UDS on CAN and UDS on IP each with 3 sample ECUs as well as templates for OBD and J1939 equipped with the current services defined in the standards. If required, these are very easy to adapt and extend.

OTX (ISO 13209)

Automates Diagnostic Sequences and Tests.

OTX compliant with ISO 13209 is a fixed component of the Softing Diagnostic Base System and the Smart Diagnostic Engine. Even complex OTX sequences can be run very efficiently with the Softing SDE as runtime environment. The SDE is suitable both for complex diagnostics and for generic test cases in test systems. Additionally, Softing-specific extensions simplify the handling of methods and the use of diagnostic sequences.

When using automated test environments (e.g. Hardware in the Loop - HiL), full access to the API is not always necessary. The SDE can be accessed efficiently and precisely via the command line for this purpose.

Diagnostics with high data security

The ODX data used can be processed securely with the Smart Diagnostic Engine. If required, the ODX database can be encrypted for a specific client so that only approved users can use this data. This is safeguarded with additional licensing information and protects corporate knowledge from unauthorized access. The same is true of the OTX scripts which can also be encrypted.

Functions

Vehicle QuickTest incl. status report
ECU variant identification
Reading out and clearing the error memory (DTC)
Exchange and (re-)programming of ECUs
ECU coding
Reading out and saving measurement values using diagnostic services
Setting and evaluating actuators
Automating flash processes and function tests (with and without UI)

Using Softing SDE in the Life Cycle - Flexible, Mobile, Automated, Platform-Independent

Short engineering times thanks to functional API access

With the help of the reduced and thus very easy to use Smart Diagnostic API (SDA), diagnostic functions can be integrated extremely efficiently into any test system. The SDA intelligently encapsulates several diagnostic service calls or entire sequences into proprietary functions and thus considerably reduces the complexity of the actual test. It is no longer necessary to have complete knowledge of the diagnostic implementation, something that avoids long familiarization times. At the same time, error-proneness is also considerably reduced as the diagnostic functions are always defined identically. In addition, the maintenance of the test is much less expensive as the test does not have to be changed for new ECUs or variants.

The runtime system is usually accessed via the SDA which is available in C++, C# and Java. An alternative for expert systems is that programming can take place directly on the ASAM MCD-3D/MVCI Server API in compliance with ISO 22900-3.

Monitoring for DoIP and parallel remote access

Softing SDE is ready for the increasing use of Ethernet in vehicle communication. It is not only possible to record communication on tried and tested vehicle buses (trace); the DoIP communication can also be monitored and recorded. The monitor at PDU level incl. an efficient message filter also improves user handling.

The possibility of establishing connections remotely has been taken into account in the Smart Diagnostic API functionality from the outset and is available for corresponding areas of implementation. The application is based on common standards from network technology. One key requirement is the multi-client scenario for simultaneously accessing several applications. Softing SDE detects and manages simultaneous calls without disturbing or interrupting important communication with a client.

Various target platforms in the life cycle

The SDE is implemented in C++ and can thus be made available for all platforms relevant today (Windows, Linux, Android and iOS). It is therefore not just an integral part of the DTS9 Windows applications (engineering tester) or Softing TDX (repair tester in After Sales), but also implements diagnostics in the test bench or as an embedded version in vehicle TCUs, in data loggers or in Vehicle Communication Interfaces (VCI). Even mobile diagnostic applications can be implemented consistently with Softing SDE and as an extension to existing applications and configurations.