Real-Time Multiplexing of Mixed-Criticality Data Streams for Automotive Multi-Core Test Systems

Historically, automotive test systems were designed for single core architectures on both the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Verification and Validation (VaV). This, however, limited the utilization of shared resources, such as memory management or network interfaces. In this paper we present a redesign of an automotive test system that is based on a multi-core architecture and capable of managing mixed-criticality data that is exchanged between the ECU and VaV system. As part of the redesign, we implemented a Connectivity Manager (CM) that is in charge of multiplexing several data streams from multiple cores across a shared network. Due to the increased complexity of our system, a more flexible communication scheduling approach is required. Our solution to this problem is a novel dynamic prioritization approach that adapts to bandwidth changes on the shared communication network. Through simulations with realistic workloads on the CAN bus, we demonstrate the proper functioning of our algorithm with the result that higher critical data streams are favoured over less critical data streams in case of bus overloads or temporary bottlenecks.