Software development framework for constructing embedded vehicle controller software

• US 6,550,052 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Smiley, John, Joyce, Mary, OʼKennedy, Maura P., Banerjee, Madhu B., Dorow, Bruce, Robinson, William O., Cramer, Lawrence, Saier, Jesse
• Primary Examiner(s): Morse, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAS, CHAMELI
• Application Number:
  US09/436,853
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 717/100, 717/101, 717/107, 717/104, 701/24, 701/29, 701/32, 701/35, 701/56, 701/115, 701/208, 701/53, 701/36, 700/113, 700/118, 702/85, 702/152, 714/38
• US Class Current: 717/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design

Abstract

A computer-implemented software development system is provided for constructing applications that are embedded in a microcontroller of a motor vehicle. The development system includes a data dictionary which stores data type information for a plurality of vehicle parameters and is able to generate a parameter definition file having data type information for each vehicle parameter associated with a first application. A calibration repository is used to generate a calibratable file for the first application, where the calibratable file includes calibratable vehicle information and controller executable instructions for the first application. The parameter definition file and the calibratable file are then used by a calibration tool to calibrate the first application in relation to a particular motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented software development system for constructing applications that are embedded in one or more microcontrollers of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a data dictionary having a memory reporter module, said data dictionary storing data type information for a plurality of vehicle parameters and said memory reporter module being operative to generate a parameter definition file and a calibration definition file, said parameter definition file having data type information for each vehicle parameter in a first application and said calibration definition file having information for use in a calibration data structure for storing calibratable vehicle information wherein said memory reporter module reads a report input file to selectively extract data type information for creating said parameter definition file and said calibration definition file;

a calibration module connected to said calibration data structure for generating a calibratable file for said first application, said calibratable file having calibratable vehicle information and controller executable instructions for said first application; and

a calibration tool using said parameter definition file and said calibratable file to calibrate said first application in relation to the motor vehicle.

2. The software development system of claim 1 wherein said controller executable instructions for said first application are embedded in a microcontroller of the motor vehicle and said calibration tool being operative to modify the calibratable vehicle information of said first application in relation to the motor vehicle.

3. The software development system of claim 2 wherein said calibration module receiving the modified calibratable vehicle information from said calibration tool and being operative to generate controller executable instructions using the modified calibratable vehicle information.

4. The software development system of claim 1 wherein said parameter definition file is further defined as an ASAP2 description file.

5. The software development system of claim 1 wherein the data type information for each vehicle parameter includes a reference name, a software requirements name, a description, a software requirements identifier, a system identifier, a sub-system identifier, a memory type identifier and an interface identifier.

6. The software development system of claim 1 wherein said data dictionary supports a plurality of vehicle parameter types, said vehicle parameter types being selected from the group having a scalar, a two-dimensional table, a three-dimensional table, a register, a condition code table and a fault code table.