Flyer AutomationDesk 2-0 NEU 15 071128 - CEANET · Access to MATLAB ... AutomationDesk - Automation Server ... trolling and automating selected Automation-Desk functions

AutomationDesk 2.0

dSPACE

Automated Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing

New-Look of User Interface

NEW: Advanced Sequence Builder

NEW: Offline Test Execution & Development

NEW: Enhanced Multi-User Support

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Test and Experiment Software

AutomationDesk

Environment for powerful and convenient test automation

Key Features Automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing

Remote control of calibration, measurement, and diagnostic tools such as CalDesk

Open COM API to remote-control test execution

Real-time testing using Python scripts

Version Control Interface

New appearance of user interface

NEW: Advanced Sequence Builder

NEW: Offline test execution and development

NEW: Enhanced multi-user support

Description Key BenefitsAutomationDesk is a powerful front end for automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the application software or diagnostic func-tions of electronic control units (ECUs). Controller functions are tested either in blackbox tests, or in whitebox tests that measure the ECU’s in-ternal variables. Measurement data from test benches or test drives can be replayed, and test maneuvers are driven precisely. With the AutomationDesk test automation tool, tests can be executed at any time, for example at night or over the weekend. This increases test coverage and the quality of the ECU software while saving time and costs.

Comprehensive Test EnvironmentWith AutomationDesk you can create test auto-mation tasks either graphically or via script programming and run them on the host PC of your HIL simulator. In addition to the graphical Sequence Builder, AutomationDesk makes it easy to organize the handling of tests, test data, and test results. AutomationDesk provides libraries containing a wide range of automation blocks to develop complex tests or to access further hardware and software. Their functionality can be easily extended by using multiple custom libraries if required.

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AutomationDesk

Functionality Overview

Functionality Description

Advanced Sequence Builder Graphical test development Increased information density Bookmarks and overview window for fast and easy navigation Zooming Print and picture export Using drag & drop for test development Accessing real-time simulations from within the automation sequences

Test management and execution Managing test projects, data, and results Offline test execution and development Setting up individual project structures Seamless integration into the development process Consistency checks before run-time

Automation libraries Real-time stimulus Replay measurement data (in real time) Report library to define the contents of the generated report Access to real-time simulation models Remote control of ControlDesk Access to electrical failure simulation Access to Softing’s Diagnostic Tool Set DTS7 Access to remote calibration (COM) with INCA, CANape, and CalDesk,

via ASAM-MCD 3MC automation interface Remote Diagnostics (COM) Library, compliant with ASAM-MCD 3D (Version 2.0.1) Test Framework library to simplify the development of complex tests Access to MATLAB®

Open architecture Open COM API to remote-control test execution Calling Python scripts from within AutomationDesk Extendable libraries Im- and export of custom libraries Support of Microsoft Source Code Control (SCC) Interface to integrate version

control systems Interfacing to third-party-tools via COM/DCOM (on request)

Test documentation Automated generation of test reports in PDF or HTML

Real-time testing with Python scripts Python tests executed synchronously to simulation model Read and write access to model variables in every simulation step possible Concurrent execution of several independent test scripts No need for simulation model modification

Order Information

Product Order Number

AutomationDesk AUD

AutomationDesk - Automation Server AUS

Relevant Software and Hardware

Software Order Number

Required Operating system: www.dspace.com/goto?os_compatibility

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Hardware Order Number

Required Minimum PC system Pentium III processor, 1 GHz Memory 512 MB RAM 350 MB free disk space

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Recommended PC system Pentium 4 processor, 2.0 GHz or higher Memory ≥ 1024 MB RAM 350 MB free disk space

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Reusing Automation TasksIf a test sequence or single test steps need to be reused for similar automation tasks in other proj-ects or sequences, they can be stored in custom libraries. The custom libraries will gradually grow to contain more and more reusable elements, so you can benefit from accumulated know-how in future projects. This method speeds up the test development process and increases efficiency. Different custom libraries can be shared between different AutomationDesk installations via the file system or via a version control system.

Test Development

Graphical and Python-based Test DevelopmentAutomationDesk’s Sequence Builder provides a graphical, UML-compliant environment for de-veloping automation sequences. The Sequence Builder and its overview panel help you keep track of even very large sequence structures.AutomationDesk combines and integrates

Functional Overview Development of test sequences Predefined test steps Edit and maintain program flows Block layout based on UML standard Zoom and bird’s eye view Print and picture export

AutomationDesk’s Sequence Builder

Developing and managing automation se-quences with AutomationDesk.

Create your own libraries in the Custom Library node.

Editor for Python-based test steps.

graphical and Python-based test development. Typically, graphical development is used to describe the control flow and to access devices like hardware or further software. Python scripts are used for implementing algorithms or for user-specific extensions.

Bookmarks in program flows for fast navigation

User control via mouse, short-cut keys and toolbars Different layout profiles Integrated Python Editor

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AutomationDesk

Test Management and Execution

AutomationDesk’s Project Manager

Managing Project DataAutomationDesk’s Project Manager provides a way of organizing the sequences, data, and re-sults of test projects in a structured representa-tion. It also enables you to reproduce tests, for ex-ample, to perform them repeatedly (“regression testing”). The criteria for structuring tests can include different functions to be tested, different ECUs in a network, different development stages, and different users involved in a project.

Offline Test Execution & DevelopmentAutomationDesk’s libraries can be set to offline mode, so that tests that use these libraries are executable even if required external software or hardware is not available. The test steps then use default behavior so that test execution is not blocked. For example, tests can be executed without a hardware-in-the-loop simulator being connected to AutomationDesk. The default be-havior is defined by default return values either by the user or by recording them in an online test execution run.

Typical test report generated automatically by AutomationDesk.

Automatic Report GenerationAutomationDesk can automatically generate re-port documentation based on the test results. You can select from a library of report test steps (such as AddText, AddTable, or AddPicture) to specify the report content.Additionally, there are various options for con-trolling the level of detail and the format of the reports. Reports are usually generated in HTML or PDF format, but almost any kind of output format can be generated by using additional XML style sheets.

Version Control of Projects and Custom LibrariesWith the AutomationDesk version control inter-face, you can integrate version control systems offering the Microsoft Source Code Control (SCC) interface, for example, Microsoft® Visual SourceSafe, MKS® Source Integrity, or IBM® Rational® ClearCase®.

Version control interface.

Project Manager in AutomationDesk.

Libraries in AutomationDesk.

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Open Architecture

Integration Into Customer-Specific Environments

System ArchitectureA major objective of AutomationDesk is to be usable for a wide range of application areas. It has therefore been designed as a tool with open interfaces. AutomationDesk can be customized and integrated into customer-specific develop-ment environments.AutomationDesk provides a graphical user in-terface for creating and modifying test projects and test sequences. The user interface makes

use of existing Python libraries, but hides the Python world.Due to its open architecture, it is possible to integrate new or third-party hardware and soft-ware components into AutomationDesk. Appli-cation programming interfaces (APIs) such as a DLL or COM interface can be wrapped into AutomationDesk’s cooperation layer and thus used from within AutomationDesk.

System architecture of AutomationDesk.

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AutomationDesk

Remote Control of AutomationDesk

Remote-controlled test runs

COM/DCOM InterfaceAutomationDesk has a COM-based application programming interface (API) for remote-con-trolling and automating selected Automation-Desk functions. These are some of its typical use cases: Programming batch processes (with

Python, Visual Basic, C++, etc.): You can program flexible control structures which skip single test sequences if necessary or which execute test projects successively.

Designing interactive GUIs: You can create your own test GUIs according to your requirements, for example, to provide a less complex user interface.

Connecting other tools to AutomationDesk: Parameterize your test data, for example, in Microsoft Excel®, and call the correspon-ding test sequences in AutomationDesk from Excel.

The COM interface is language-independent and can be used to call almost all the functions available in AutomationDesk’s Project Manager. These include: Loading and saving AutomationDesk

projects Exporting and importing AutomationDesk

projects Creating project trees Parameterizing data objects of Int, Float,

and String type Executing projects, folders, and test

sequences Querying the current execution status Querying test results (passed, failed,

undefined) Generating test reportsTest sequences from the Custom Library can also be instantiated via the COM API. However, test sequences cannot be edited via the COM API.

Example of a client application for test execution via COM/DCOM interface.

Automation Server Variant of AutomationDeskThe AutomationDesk - Automation Server, as an alternative to the full version of AutomationDesk, is a server variant without its own user interface. The Automation Server is accessed and remote-controlled via the COM/DCOM interface, so the same functions are available as for the full version

of AutomationDesk. This run-time version has the advantage of reduced license costs, making it useful wherever the comprehensive functions of the full version are not required, for example, in automated test execution on hardware-in-the-loop simulators.

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Single-Source Testing and Diagnostics

Remote control of CalDesk diagnostics

Complies with ASAM-MCD 3D (Version 2.0.1)

Diagnostics and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test-ing are brought together in AutomationDesk. You can use AutomationDesk to remote-control and automate the diagnostics functionality of CalDesk, dSPACE’s universal measurement and

ODX-based diagnostics

calibration software. This means you have a com-pletely integrated tool chain for HIL testing, ECU calibration, measurement tasks, and diagnostics from a single source, and difficult compatibility problems are a thing of the past.

Diagnostics and HIL Testing Come TogetherSuccessful integration of ECU diagnostics into the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of ECU software is increasingly important. Automation-Desk is a standard solution for automated HIL testing that can address a variety of software

tools: These include CalDesk, the measurement, calibration, and diagnostic tool, and diagnostic tools such as DTS and EDIABAS from Softing, and VAG Tester and DiagRA from RAConsult.

Remote Control for Diagnostics with CalDeskAutomationDesk can be used to automate and remote-control CalDesk’s ODX-based diagnostic functionality, as well as for automating measure-ment and calibration tasks as previously. Auto-mationDesk accesses CalDesk via the ASAM-MCD 3D automation interface. You can build

test sequences graphically in the familiar way in AutomationDesk, using the Remote Diagnostics (COM) Library. This is an AutomationDesk library of the blocks needed for automating access to CalDesk’s diagnostic functionalities.

All Tools from One SourceBy using CalDesk and AutomationDesk, you avoid the difficult compatibility problems that often arise in practice when tools from different vendors have to be integrated. dSPACE offers you HIL systems plus measurement, calibration, and

diagnostic tools from a single partner, with no complications. The smooth interaction between AutomationDesk and CalDesk is the basis for successful HIL testing.

Interfaces between AutomationDesk and CalDesk.

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AutomationDeskAutomationDesk

Connection to DOORS®Tracing Test Specifications Across ToolsThe traceability of requirements is a key issue in developing software for electronic control units (ECUs). Tools like Telelogic DOORS® support the management of any kind of requirement. The specifications for software tests are also fre-quently handled with DOORS. A special integration solution couples Automa-tionDesk with Telelogic DOORS®. Test specifica-tion structures from DOORS can be transferred automatically to AutomationDesk test projects. The test results from AutomationDesk are also available in DOORS. This greatly improves trace-ability and coverage analysis in the software development process.

AutomationDesk DOORS Connect & Sync ModuleThe connection between AutomationDesk and DOORS is made by the AutomationDesk DOORS Connect & Sync Module. This synchronizes the data and structures of the two tool worlds, and exchanges parameters between them. Users can run AutomationDesk tests from within DOORS. Test results from AutomationDesk can be displayed in DOORS. The link between the two tools means that DOORS always has the cur-rent state of the requirements and the associated test results and thus the current quality status is available in one central document.

Two-Way ExchangeIndividual DOORS objects correspond to specific, identically structured elements in Automation-Desk. If several test specifications have the same structure, based on predefined templates, the Connect & Sync module can convert them into

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Data flow between AutomationDesk and DOORS.

AutomationDesk‘s Process Integration Capabilities

AutomationDesk elements automatically. Test implementation in AutomationDesk no longer needs to be performed from scratch, as struc-tures and parameters from the DOORS test speci-fication can be used.

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Benefits of Both ToolsCombining AutomationDesk with Mercury Quality Center provides the features and benefits of both tools: Seamless test process from test require-

ment specification to defect tracking Quality Center’s process management

facilities Graphical test development and access to

dSPACE Simulator with AutomationDesk

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Test process with Quality Center and AutomationDesk collaboration.

A Seamless Test ProcessAutomationDesk can be connected to the Web-based test management tool Mercury Quality Center™ (or Mercury TestDirector®) to provide the benefits of both tools. The result is a seamless tool-based test process from test requirement specification to defect tracking.Tests can be managed and selected in Quality Center and remotely executed in Automation-Desk. Quality Center is used to organize and

On Request: Connection to Mercury Quality Center™/ TestDirector®

manage all the phases of the test process, includ-ing test requirement specification, test planning, test runs, and defect tracking. Directly test-re-lated tasks like test implementation, test execu-tion, result analysis, and report generation are performed with AutomationDesk, which provides access to hardware-in-the-loop platforms, and to measurement, calibration, and diagnostics systems.

Central data storage within Mercury Quality Center

Access to all AutomationDesk tests and results from any Quality Center client

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Python-Based Testing

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The InteractionMercury Quality Center consists of clients and a server (a database containing tests, defects, workflows, etc.). AutomationDesk and Quality Center are connected via a COM interface. Proj-ects from AutomationDesk can be exported and added to the Quality Center database. Automa-

AutomationDesk can be integrated with test process management tools like Mercury Quality Center.

tionDesk projects can be viewed, parameter-ized, and executed in the Quality Center client. AutomationDesk’s test results and reports are added to the Quality Center database and can be viewed on any Quality Center client.

On Request: Connection to Mercury Quality Center™/ TestDirector®

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Python-Based Test Automation

Script Based Test Implementation

Functional Overview Powerful script language Python for

advanced applications, including script modules for a variety of applications

Remote control of a complete hardware-in-the-loop environment, for example, for automated ECU testing

Remote control of the Simulink® simulation

Interface to Microsoft Word® and Excel®

Support of Python 2.5.1

Maximum of Flexibility and ExtendabilityA common approach for automated testing is to implement test programs in the form of an executable python script (www.python.org). You can simply write Python scripts in a text editor or using a standard Python development envi-ronment. Since you can define your own library modules this provides a maximum in terms of flexibility and extendability. There exist several library modules, e.g. to access a real-time model running on dSPACE Simulator, access diagnostic tools, read and write ECU calibration param-

dSPACE Simulator AutomationRTPLib Access to simulator variables, states and parametersSDMLib Description and generation of stimulus signals, import and replay of measurement data

DiagnosticsDTSLib Access to the SOFTING Diagnostic Tool Set DTSVAGTLib1) Remote control of the VAG tester tool VAG1552VASTLib1) Access to the SOFTING EDICcard-based diagnostic interface VAS5163EDIABASLib1) Access to the SOFTING EDIABAS diagnostic tool

Communication InterfaceRS232Lib Communication via the PC’s serial port interface

ASAP/ASAM InterfaceASAP3Lib Remote control of external calibration tools (ASAM-MCD tools) using the ASAM-MCD 3MC (formerly ASAP3) interface

ControlDesk Interfacecdautomationlib Almost all classes and functions for automating ControlDesk are provided by cdautomationlib

Further Program Interfaceswordlib To report to Microsoft Word documents via OLE automationexcellib To report to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets via OLE automationmatlablib To exchange data between MATLAB and the Python Interpreter, invoke MATLAB functions or to access files in the MATLAB file format

1) Available on request

dSPACE Python libraries eters, control the electrical failure simulation

hardware, remote control third party tools and much more.Extensive libraries based on the powerful script-ing language Python serve as automation inter-faces to ControlDesk and third-party tools like MATLAB® and Microsoft Excel®. This includes COM-based tool automation libraries as well as access libraries for real-time simulation hard-ware and several automotive ECU communica-tion channels.

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Python-Based Real-Time Test Automation

Python for Real-Time Testing

100% reproducible real-time tests synchro-nously executed with simulation model

Model variables can be observed and changed in every simulation step

Real-time tests are implemented in Python (user-extensible via libraries)

Several independent test scripts can be executed concurrently

Dynamic test loading during model and test execution

No model modification necessary for real-time testing

Real-time test management by scripting and dedicated graphical user interface

Easy integration into customer test frameworks (like AutomationDesk or others)

Available for DS1005 and DS1006 (with multiprocessor support on single nodes)

NEW: Python objects can be exchanged bet-ween real-time tests and PC Python script

NEW: CAN support of real-time tests (based on RTI CAN MultiMessage Blockset)

NEW: Support of Python 2.5.1

Describing Real-Time Tests in PythonAutomated testing usually is performed by ex-ecuting tests on a standard PC connected to the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system. However, this method often cannot cope where greater tim-ing precision is required – for example, if ECU interaction has to be captured and responded to in a range of milliseconds. Python scripts for real-time testing coming with AutomationDesk are the answer. They run on the processor board of the HIL system in real time, i.e., synchronously

with the model, so all test actions are performed on a real-time basis. This opens up expanded test options with dSPACE simulator. Reactive tests which respond to changes in model vari-ables within the same simulation step can be implemented. Time measurements in tests are also far more precise, as there are no latencies in communication. Simulation step size is now the only limit to the maximum time resolution of measurements.

Real-time-capable Python interpreter for the processor board.

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Real-Time-Capable Python InterpreterA real-time Python interpreter, running on the processor board along with the model, allows the script to execute synchronously with the model. The interpreter can execute several real-time tests simultaneously and independently of one another. The tests can interact with the simula-tion model in real-time via the memory on the processor board. You can therefore observe and influence the ECUs connected to the HIL simula-tor in every individual simulation step.The Python interpreter is added to the application during the translation process via a Real-Time Workshop build option. You can formulate real-time tests using standard Python scripts from the real-time testing libraries provided with Auto-

mationDesk (for example, for accessing model variables and executing several test branches within one real-time test in parallel). You can also create your own Python libraries and reuse them in several tests. The tests you have created can be loaded from the PC to the simulator’s proces-sor board and executed regardless of whether there is a real-time test already running. Even though executing the real-time tests requires additional memory capacity and computing time, it is no problem to implement typical test sce-narios, which run in parallel to complex engine and vehicle dynamics models, at simulation step sizes of 1 ms.

Managing real-time tests with the Real-Time Test Manager.


Example Use Cases for Real-Time Testing Testing reactivity in a range of milliseconds Time-precise stimulation of several model

signals Time-precise measurement of model

changes Reliable determination of minimum and

maximum values of model variables

Dynamic execution of a Python restbus simulation not included in the simulation model

Exact replay of recorded bus commu-nication (like CAN or FlexRay log files)

Parallel execution of several independent ECU tests

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from rttlib import variablevelocity = variable.Variable(r‘Model Root/Velocity/Out1‘)brake_pedal = variable.Variable(r‘Model Root/Brake/Value‘)

def MainGenerator(): while(velocity.Value <= 80.0): yield None brake_pedal.Value = 100.0

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Scripting ExampleA common test case is the detection of an event being generated by the real-time model. An event is specified by a condition referencing one or more real-time model variables. As soon as the event has been detected, a test action is triggered in the same sample step. In this ex-ample, the real-time script observes the speed of a simulated vehicle and reacts by performing an emergency stop maneuver immediately when the vehicle exceeds 80 km/h. This test case can be easily implemented by a real-time Python script. The condition is observed continuously within a While loop. The included yield command has the effect that the test execution is paused and after-wards resumed in the next simulation step. This means the script can easily be time-controlled. When the speed exceeds 80 km/h, the While loop is left, and the brake maneuver is initiated by setting the associated model parameter in the same simulation step.

Implementing a Real-Time Test in Python.


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dSPACEwww.dspace.com

France

dSPACE Sarl Parc Burospace Bâtiment 20 Route de la Plaine de Gisy91573 Bièvres CedexTel.: +33 1 6935 5060 Fax: +33 1 6935 5061 [email protected]

USA and Canada

dSPACE Inc.50131 Pontiac TrailWixom . MI 48393-2020 Tel.: +1 248 295 4700Fax: +1 248 295 [email protected]

United Kingdom

dSPACE Ltd. Unit B7 . Beech HouseMelbourn Science ParkMelbourn Hertfordshire . SG8 6HBTel.: +44 1763 269 020Fax: +44 1763 269 [email protected]

Japan

dSPACE Japan K.K.10F Gotenyama Trust Tower4-7-35 Kitashinagawa Shinagawa-kuTokyo 140-0001Tel: +81 3 5798 5460Fax: +81 3 5798 5464 [email protected]

Headquarters in Germany

dSPACE GmbH Technologiepark 25 33100 PaderbornTel.: +49 5251 16 38-0 Fax: +49 52 51 6 65 29 [email protected]

Documents

Flyer AutomationDesk 2-0 NEU 15 071128 - CEANET · Access to MATLAB ... AutomationDesk - Automation Server ... trolling and automating selected Automation-Desk functions