Empirical Testing of Automotive Cyber-Physical Systems with Credible Software-in-the-Loop Environments

Automotive cyber-physical systems are constantly increasing in complexity, especially due to innovations like sophisticated advanced driver assistance features. The increase in system complexity, in turn, gives rise to complex distributed software which creates challenges for verification. Front-loading tests that are regularly performed in prototype vehicles or Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) to simulation and Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) environments can be used to validate design decisions and to significantly reduce overall development costs. Novel Automated Driving features, and the Open Context problem, however, move the challenge from the state-to-the-art to a knowledge problem (know-what instead of know-how). The ISO/PAS 21448:2019 for Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF) acknowledges this change but no guidance is provided to the industry to making verification processes ready for operating vehicles in an Open Context environment that may require functional changes during the useful life of a vehicle. Since verification with HiL or vehicles will be all but impractical, in this paper we provide insights into the design of credible SiL environments that address functional and non-functional verification and validation concerns of software related automotive system in a continuous life-cycle. With the help of a use-case we demonstrate the significance of the novel approach compared to traditional automotive industry methods.