OSEK/VDX conformance testing-MODISTARC

The OSEK/VDX project aims to provide the automotive community with a modular architecture for network-based distributed applications. This architecture offers a network independent interface and adapted real-time system and transport services while taking into account the constraints of automotive applications in terms of size and cost. It lies upon the specification of three standards defining respectively an operating system, a communication model and network management facilities. This approach is a major step for the on-board vehicle networking since it eases the application portability and the equipment interoperability, and it avoids the costly development of proprietary solutions. The success of this initiative will clearly depend on the level of confidence in the products implementing the OSEK/VDX standards and potentially designed by different third parties in a totally open market. Therefore, to impede the emergence of a large variety of non-compliant implementations, there is a need to specify conformance tests and develop the corresponding tools, able to assess products´ conformity to the OSEK/VDX specification. Another key to a successful application of the OSEK/VDX layered model is the vertical integration of hardware, software and system aspects. The quality of the validation process during integration is of prior importance since it guarantees the safety of mass applications involving human beings. The role falling to conformance tools in such operations is to assist equipment or system designers and offer solutions to master the progressive integration of OSEK/VDX components into the target system