Automobile OTA has become a hot topic nowadays, because the upgrade of OTA may bring certain risks, the test for OTA is particularly important. In this article, we mainly share a set of mature OTA testing solutions by introducing the development background of OTA, the necessity of automotive OTA testing, and the content of automotive OTA testing.
What is OTA
OTA (Over-The-Air), also known as over-the-air download technology, that is, a technology that enables software downloads without a wired connection.
Table of contents
1. The development background of OTA
2. The necessity of automotive OTA testing
4. Yixing Technology OTA test plan
1. The development background of OTA
This technology originated from mobile phones, and the development background of mobile phone OTA technology can be traced back to 2003, when Nokia launched the first mobile phone that supports OTA updates - Nokia 6600 . The phone can receive and perform software updates over a wireless network, rather than being connected to a computer via a data cable for updates. Since then, mobile phone OTA update technology has entered the public eye. Later, with the popularization of wireless networks and the rapid development of the mobile Internet, mobile phone OTA technology has developed rapidly, and its convenient software update method has been supported and promoted by more and more mobile phone manufacturers.
As for automotive OTA technology, its development can be traced back to 2010. At that time, Tesla launched the Model S, the first electric car to support OTA updates . The car can receive software updates through the wireless network, so that the vehicle's software system can be updated at any time, thereby improving the performance, safety and use experience of the vehicle.
With the development of intelligent and interconnected cars, smart cars have more sensors and more complex software systems, which require more frequent software updates to solve problems and improve performance, so the application of OTA technology in the automotive industry is also increasing widely. It can help vehicle manufacturers push software updates quickly, and at the same time provide a better experience for car owners.
The development of automotive OTA technology is closely related to the development of the Internet. With the continuous development of Internet technology, automakers have begun to apply Internet technology to vehicles to achieve more intelligent and interconnected functions. Automobile OTA technology has also become one of the important means to realize these functions.
2. The necessity of automotive OTA testing
The cycle of automobile manufacturing and iteration is getting faster and faster. Basically, a new car will be released in 2-3 years, but the cycle of software development may be longer, and even some new functions will be successfully developed in the future, and the vehicle will be launched. Carry out hardware pre-embedding, and wait for the software to be developed successfully before updating remotely, so as to achieve the separation of software and hardware.
For new cars, research and development can be carried out for software optimization after fixing bugs, improving car performance, improving car safety, and personalized configuration after customer experience or poor experience feedback. Using automotive over-the-air technology to update a car's software and firmware over a wireless network keeps the car up-to-date, but it also presents new challenges. For cars, the priority is safety. If the OTA update is incorrect or incomplete, it may cause the car to malfunction or have safety problems, so the early OTA test is particularly important.
The OTA test involves a wide range of areas and interacts with various systems in the vehicle; it is highly complex, and each link of cloud interface, pipe-end communication, vehicle-end interface, and in-vehicle communication needs to consider abnormal scene tests. At present, some countries and regions have begun to formulate relevant regulations and standards, requiring automakers to provide OTA update functions and ensure the safety, reliability and compatibility of OTA updates. With the application of automotive OTA technology and attention to safety issues, automotive OTA testing has become a necessary work for automakers.
3. Test content of car OTA
❶ Cloud platform API interface test
❷ Cloud platform UI interface test
❸ Cloud platform environment management
❹ Cloud platform test task management
❺ OTA forward test process (version detection, download, upgrade and installation process verification, message detection, signal detection, field and parameter value status detection, pressure test)
❻ OTA reverse testing process (download and upgrade pre-conditions are not met, breakpoint resume)
4. Yixing Technology OTA test plan
Cloud, pipe-end, vehicle-end architecture
4.1 System framework
Web users log in to the test management platform SolarManager, add cabinet equipment to be tested, manage test plans and defects, manage test cases and test scripts, and execute test cases. After the use case is executed, the upper computer software calls the OTA platform interface to create a task, and sends it to the TBOX on the vehicle end, and the TBOX interacts with the ota master to realize the upgraded ECU. After the upgrade is completed, the vehicle log is uploaded to the OTA platform through TBOX. The execution results of the test cases are uploaded to SolarManager, and SolarManager can count the test results. The host computer software monitors messages and signals at the same time, and supports log playback.
4.2 Hardware Solution
A set of multi-functional test bench, the office desktop and test bench are combined into one, and it is also equipped with office equipment (chairs). The test bench can be connected to the ECU under test of one vehicle, or it can be connected to multiple real vehicles at the same time, and it can be decided whether to connect to the real vehicle according to the needs.
The multifunctional bench is mainly composed of the following parts: power control module, program-controlled power supply, IO chassis, industrial computer, BOB controller (ETS6124-BR, 2-channel CAN/4-channel lin fault simulation module developed by EPT; ETS6204-CR, EPT self-developed 4-channel Ethernet fault simulation module), network interface card.
hardware equipment
ETS6124-BR is a bus fault simulation module based on CAN bus remote control. This equipment is mainly used for the system-level test of automotive CAN/LIN. It can realize 3-way power control, 1-way ground control and 2-4 bus communication control of each of the two ECUs in the system, and it also has the fault injection function. When multiple ETS6124-BRs are cascaded, each ETS6124-BR can be individually controlled using a dedicated CAN bus. ETS6124-BR has the advantages of simple wiring, convenient layout and strong expansion capability, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of use and upgrade.
ETS6204 is an automotive Ethernet fault simulation module based on CAN bus remote control. This device is mainly used for system-level testing of automotive Ethernet. It can realize 3-way power control, 2-way ground control, and 4-way automotive Ethernet for a single ECU Communication control function and fault injection function. When multiple ETS6204-CRs are cascaded, a dedicated CAN bus can be used to control each ETS6204-CR individually. ETS6204-CR has the advantages of simple wiring, convenient layout and strong expansion capability, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of use and upgrade.
4.3 Software framework
Software Introduction——SolarManager
Edit test cases on the test management platform, and send them to the host computer software for execution through the standard Thrift API, and the test results of the host computer software can also be uploaded to the test management platform through the Thrift API. With statistical functions.
Software introduction - TSP interface calling module
By calling the TSP interface, the automatic operation of the TSP platform API is realized.
Software Introduction——eXTester-ADB
Main functions of ADB module
◆ Simulate touch operations such as click, slide, long press, text input, etc.
◆ Image acquisition
◆ Jump to the interface with one key
◆ Pinch to zoom
features
◆ Developed based on ADB Tools and UiAutomator2, adapting to simulated touch operations in different test scenarios
◆ It can support running .bat files and automatically grab the car log
◆ Can support touch operation playback
◆ Reduce calibration frequency based on element identification
The ADB module has been adapted to various operating systems: Android, IOS, HarmonyOS, AliOS, etc., and has been widely used in the cockpit domain tests of major OEMs.
4.4 OTA testing process
1. CANoe establishes Socket communication with Python module;
2. CANoe sends instructions to Python: automatically clear old tasks and complete the creation of new tasks;
3. The cloud platform issues task instructions;
4. Vehicle-cloud interaction: TBOX forwards the FOTA control/status message sent by the OTA management platform through the MQTT protocol to the central gateway through SOME/IP; the central gateway forwards the FOTA control/status message sent by the SOME/IP interface to TBOX, TBOX Forward it to the OTA management platform through the MQTT protocol;
5. Simulation/monitoring of CAN/Lin/ETH messages: Carry out message check on CAN/Lin/ETH to confirm whether the process and message parameter values meet the upgrade requirements;
6. ADB/UiAutomator2 analog touch module: it can simulate finger click to upgrade immediately, or make an appointment to upgrade, and set the appointment time point;
7. After the test is over, a test report is generated and relevant Log information is printed;
The above is all the content I want to share with you today. If there is anything unclear, please leave a message to discuss!