Virtual ECUs. Faster XiL validation.

XiL engineering for virtual ECU validation

Modern vehicle development depends on the ability to validate ECU software before all physical components and complete vehicle networks are available. Restbus simulation makes this possible by simulating missing network participants so that the device or function under test can be evaluated in realistic test environments.

For a premium automotive development program, VAIVA supported the analysis, concept development, implementation, and validation of restbus models for simulated ECUs across different vehicle platforms. The work covered functional logic, signal chains, control behaviour, and the physical behaviour of vehicle systems.

The models were used in virtual test drive environments, offline simulations, and SiL/HiL test benches. This enabled development teams to validate functions earlier, analyse issues faster, and reuse simulation assets across test stages. This is aligned with established XiL practice, where standards such as ASAM XIL support the reuse and transfer of test cases across MIL, SiL, HiL, and other test systems.

VAIVA also implemented control effect chains for speed control, lateral dynamics, and trajectory following. In parallel, our team supported error analysis and issue resolution for virtual vehicle and environment models, both offline and directly at the test bench.

To improve release efficiency, VAIVA redeveloped the Virtual Test Drive TestSuite for module and release testing and automated the release process for vECU adapters used in SiL simulation. Supporting tools such as a ModelGenerator helped standardize recurring engineering tasks and reduce manual effort.

The outcome: a robust XiL engineering setup for virtual ECU validation — with reusable restbus models, automated release workflows, and faster issue resolution across SiL and HiL environments.

Capability highlights

• Restbus model engineering
  Analysis, conception, implementation, and validation of simulated ECU logic and effect chains across vehicle platforms.
  
  

• Vehicle dynamics and system modelling
  Modelling of physical vehicle behaviour and system interactions for realistic virtual validation.
  
  

• SiL/HiL issue resolution
  Error analysis and correction of virtual test drive restbus models offline and at SiL/HiL test benches.
  
  

• Control chain implementation
  Development of speed-control, lateral-dynamics, and trajectory-following control logic
  
  

• Virtual Test Drive TestSuite development
  Redevelopment of test suites for module testing, release testing, and recurring validation workflows
  
  

• vECU adapter release automation
  Automation of release processes for virtual ECU adapters in SiL simulation.
  
  

• Engineering tool development
  Development and support of productivity tools such as a ModelGenerator to standardize and accelerate model creation or VPFBasis to create the environment and interfaces for simulation
  
  

• Testbench Toolchain and sensor injections
  Successful delivery of HiL testbench solutions for environment simulation and sensor injection, utilizing proven frameworks such as FEP and ROS
  
  

• CI/CD/CT-supported virtual validation workflows
  Integration of automated SiL/HiL validation and regression testing into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD/CT) pipelines to accelerate software releases and improve validation efficiency.
  
  

• Software-defined vehicle (SDV) development support
  Support for SDV-oriented development through scalable virtual ECU validation, reusable simulation assets, and automated virtual testing workflows.
  
  

• End-to-end virtual validation framework
  Creation of a scalable framework supporting development, integration, and validation of functions, simulated ECUs, and complete vehicle models in a unified virtual development workflow.