Approach for iterative validation of automotive embedded systems

Architecture description languages (ADLs) allow specifying system information in architecture models. These are generally used for capturing early design decisions concerning system or software development. Therefore, ADLs can be utilized for an early and iterative validation of the modelled system. With EAST-ADL an automotive specific ADL is defined which allows describing an automotive system at different layers of abstraction targeting AUTOSAR systems. SystemC is an executable system modelling and simulation language which permits Hardware/Software-Co-Design. With the Transaction-Level Modeling (TLM) methodology the description of different layers of abstraction in SystemC is enabled. This work addresses the early validation of automobile electronic systems by providing a transformation of EAST-ADL models to SystemC at different layers of abstraction. This allows specific analysis with Hardware/Software Co-Simulation iteratively in the development process. The proposed approach is realized in a tool-chain and demonstrated by a typical automotive use case. Hence, we show the potential of an early validation of system and software designs based on architecture models.