Volvo Trucks, Mentor Graphics Complete AUTOSAR Project
by: Guest
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Mentor Graphics Corporation has recently announced
successful results of an AUTOSAR demonstrator project recently completed in
collaboration with Volvo® Trucks. AUTOSAR is the standards organization working
to create an open standard for automotive engineering architecture.
The project, the goal of which was to increase the
knowledge about AUTOSAR within the Volvo group as well as evaluate commercial
viability of the AUTOSAR concept itself, entailed completely redeveloping an existing
climate control system using AUTOSAR technology.
AUTOSAR recently released its first set of specifications
(release 2.1, January 2007) for use as basis for product development.
Automotive OEMs and suppliers are looking at the possibility of basing their
products and systems on AUTOSAR technology but the AUTOSAR partnership has
stressed from the beginning that commercial vehicles should not be explicitly
considered when developing the AUTOSAR concept. AB Volvo – also maker of top of
the line Volvo parts, being
a commercial vehicle manufacturer (trucks, buses, construction equipment and
marine engines) as well as an AUTOSAR Premium Member, decided to evaluate the
AUTOSAR concept from a commercial vehicle manufacturer’s perspective to verify
whether the AUTOSAR standard can handle the special needs of this domain,
without causing problems.
Mentor Graphics was the main contractor for the project responsible
for developing and integrating the entire basic software. A key factor in
Mentor Graphics tool development for this project was the adaptation of VNA
(Volcano Network Architect) into the design flow, enabling predictable network
communication over CAN (Controller Area Network) even in the context of
AUTOSAR.
Five months after the start of the project the prototype
was successfully integrated and tested in a real truck. Results from the
demonstrator project indicate: (i) the major AUTOSAR concepts are working; (ii)
it is possible to handle special needs for commercial vehicles; and (iii)
AUTOSAR components and tools are mature enough to start concept studies
targeting product development.
“Mentor's expertise in AUTOSAR and its commitment to the
customer showed in the timely delivery of products as well as technical support
for the integration effort that led to a successful closure of the project
within a very short time,” said Serge Leef, general manager, Mentor Graphics
System Level Engineering Division. “We believe our investment and commitment in
this area will ultimately lead to tremendous benefits for our customers. These
recent results are an important milestone in the road to commercial deployment
of AUTOSAR standards.”
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