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Test controllers provide quality assurance for complex automotive bus systems
Ralf Kahl, GÖPEL electronic
10/4/2011 12:13 PM EDT
Where there was hardly any bus communication based on automobile electronics a few years ago, today it cannot be imagined without. From the quality assurance's point of view, this means a massive increase in new challenges for test and measurement systems.
Quality Assurance Today
A close look to current electronic control units (ECU's) unveils bus systems such as CAN, LIN, FlexRay, partly even K-line serial link interface, etc. Furthermore, there is often a mixture of diverse analog and digital signals. Recently it has become obvious that the "continuously repeated general test task" does not exist. Test engineers are constantly facing new or changing situations and tasks.
What does it mean for assuring requested quality? Is the "good old tester" disused, because it can't cope with the changed situation any longer? If yes, what can be done?
Immediately, terms like "investment, costs, effort," and the like enter the thought stage. Especially in economically tough times, such topics are of highest concern and importance. Useful solutions that unite technological as well as economical benefits—in other words a versatile, usable, modular and scalable technology is needed that can be "one for all" at acceptable purchase costs. The facts and thoughts were the main driving and leading motive to develop a completely new communication and test controller generation
.
For the complete article, which describes a modular and scalable test controller architecture, click here, courtesy of Automotive Designline Europe.
Quality Assurance Today
A close look to current electronic control units (ECU's) unveils bus systems such as CAN, LIN, FlexRay, partly even K-line serial link interface, etc. Furthermore, there is often a mixture of diverse analog and digital signals. Recently it has become obvious that the "continuously repeated general test task" does not exist. Test engineers are constantly facing new or changing situations and tasks.
What does it mean for assuring requested quality? Is the "good old tester" disused, because it can't cope with the changed situation any longer? If yes, what can be done?
Immediately, terms like "investment, costs, effort," and the like enter the thought stage. Especially in economically tough times, such topics are of highest concern and importance. Useful solutions that unite technological as well as economical benefits—in other words a versatile, usable, modular and scalable technology is needed that can be "one for all" at acceptable purchase costs. The facts and thoughts were the main driving and leading motive to develop a completely new communication and test controller generation
.
For the complete article, which describes a modular and scalable test controller architecture, click here, courtesy of Automotive Designline Europe.
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