TestWeaver A Tool for Simulation-based Test of Mechatronic Designs

The tight interaction among an ever increasing amount of software functions and hardware subsystems (mechanics, hydraulics, electronics, etc.) leads to a new kind of complexity that is difficult to manage during mechatronic design. System tests have to consider huge amounts of relevant test cases. Validation with limited resources (time and costs) is a challenge for the development teams. We present a new instrument that should help engineers in dealing with the complexity of test and validation. TestWeaver is based on a novel approach that aims at maximizing test coverage with minimal work load for the test engineer for specifying test cases. The method integrates simulation (MiL/SiL) with automatic test generation and evaluation, and has found successful applications in the automotive industry. We illustrate the approach using a 6-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars. We present also the way TestWeaver and Modelica simulators can work together.