Optimizing HW/SW Co-simulation based on run-time model switching

The development of embedded systems nowadays is strongly supported by simulation in order to reduce development time and improve product quality. However, effects occurring e.g. on the physical level may impact the whole system and cannot be captured by using only high abstracted models. Co-simulation is a possible solution for this problem. It enables the combination of an abstracted, system level view with highly accurate models of different components, and thus supports the analysis and validation of the embedded system. In this work we present an approach based on the inter-language run-time switching of simulation models during co-simulation. This new method enables long-time system level simulation with dynamic (user defined) switches to more accurate models for the punctual analysis of low level effects. The approach is applied for the co-simulation of an automotive distributed network and enables the analysis of the system at application level with a dynamically selectable accuracy down to the signal integrity within the physical cables.