Using Simulation as a Test Development Platform

Abstract

In this session, Bill Chown, Director of Marketing, System Modeling & Analysis for Mentor Graphics talks about safety critical implications for system design. When test program developers depend on prototypes to develop and debug test programs, significant time is often lost waiting for testable prototypes. Even when prototypes are plentiful, test program development can be hamstrung by insufficient visibility into (or erratic and inconsistent behavior of) the product under test. This is particularly problematic in industries with high levels of required safety-critical product certification. Using virtual prototypes as a test development platform, design teams at a major medical electronic device company are moving test development ahead in their design cycle. A new combination of design tools--Mentor Graphics' SystemVision/SVX virtual prototyping platform integrated with National Instruments' LabVIEW test development environment—can be used to develop and execute system tests earlier in the design cycle. This continuous test program development process provides traceability that is particularly appealing in businesses with high levels of required certification. If reliable test programs are ready to go the minute prototypes arrive, design teams can realize significant and measurable improvements in time-to-certification, time-to-market, quality, and costs. This presentation shows that by using virtual prototypes as a development platform, and by moving test participation ahead in the design timeline, the overall development schedule can be reduced while improving product quality.

Duration: 11:01