journal article·2025-12-01Open access

Innovative Cost-Effective Embedded System to Enhance ECU Firmware Quality Through Remote Hybrid Testing in Automotive Domain

Adrian Bogorin-Predescu, Stefan Titu, Aurel Mihail Titu, Dragos Florin Marcu, Diana Cristina Dragomir, Mihai Dragomir

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 23

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenge of ensuring quality control for electronic control units (ECUs) in the automotive industry. Traditional hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems, used for software quality assurance, are costly and not always readily available, leading to potential delays in software verification and release. This paper investigates the factors causing these delays and proposes process task workflow optimization using a hybrid testing approach. This approach allows software developers to conduct early integration and system testing for embedded software, complementing the formal validation stage. To support this, the paper presents a novel piece of test equipment called TestBench, which utilizes inexpensive embedded hardware like the Arduino Mega2560, which can carry out the fundamental tasks needed to test the ECU. TestBench enables local testing, remote accessibility, and the monitoring of key parameters, including voltage current consumption, and the communication bus. It also facilitates fault injection for the evaluation of communication protocol robustness. By enabling earlier and more frequent testing, TestBench aims to enhance the quality of software developer outputs and the overall quality of ECU-embedded software. The system has the potential to significantly improve the testing process, making advanced testing capabilities more accessible and cost-effective for engineering teams and educational institutions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Real-time simulation and control systems · Real-Time Systems Scheduling · Safety Systems Engineering in Autonomy

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei Street, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

Department of Surgical Oncology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 34-36 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Industrial Engineering and Management Department, Faculty of Engineering, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 10 Victoriei Street, 550024 Sibiu, Romania

Engineering and Management of Obtaining Metallic Materials Department, Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei Street, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Production Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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