High Vehicle Performance with Vector's PREEvision 9.5

By Tiera Oliver

Associate Editor

Embedded Computing Design

June 18, 2020

News

PREEvision 9.5, the model-based electric/electronic engineering environment from Vector, helps to develop future-proof E/E systems based on high-performance computers and the AUTOSAR Adaptive platform

PREEvision 9.5, the model-based electric/electronic (E/E) engineering environment from Vector, helps to develop future-proof E/E systems based on high-performance computers (HPCs) and the AUTOSAR Adaptive platform. With PREEvision developers can integrate HPCs and AUTOSAR Adaptive into existing architectures.

To manage the data of sensors like radar or cameras or to utilize services in the cloud, conventional E/E architectures are aided by computers. They serve as domain controllers connected to a backbone via Ethernet or as a one of several central computers in the vehicle. PREEvision supports the modeling and integration of such HPC’s.

While conventional ECUs are microcontroller-based, HPCs aggregate microprocessors with multiple cores, internal busses, microcontrollers, and switches. Using hypervisors, the available resources like memory, input/output, or communication channels can be shared by basic software and applications. The combination of AUTOSAR Classic, AUTOSAR Adaptive, Android, and other software platforms on one hardware is possible.

Combined modeling of AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive systems with PREEvision 9.5 Image rights: Vector Informatik GmbH

Schematic structure of a high-performance computer. Image rights: Vector Informatik GmbH

With PREEvision, the user designs HPCs graphically in diagrams. This includes internal busses, switches, and the virtualization of different execution contexts. Completed HPCs can then be integrated into existing networks. This architecture serves as the basis for the communication design.

The PREEvision signal router can route the data exchanged internally within one HPC as well as externally to other HPCs or ECUs. According to the company, HPCs are key to building safety-related systems for use cases such as automated and autonomous driving. AUTOSAR Adaptive is the software platform that enables the necessary E/E architectures in the vehicle.

PREEvision 9.5 supports AUTOSAR Adaptive version 19-03 and offers the user multiple diagrams and a dedicated user interface to model service-oriented systems. These systems can later be enhanced or extended by updates or upgrades.

The PREEvision AUTOSAR Adaptive Explorer provides tools like tables or data syntheses that help the user to create an Adaptive system from scratch. C++ data types are supported, too. As Adaptive systems in most cases complement already existing AUTOSAR Classic systems, PREEvision 9.5 offers a combined modeling: The user can mix AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive systems. Via drag and drop, software components of both platforms can be connected to an adapter that translates between the Classic and Adaptive interfaces.

For more information, visit: www.vector.com/preevision

Tiera Oliver, Associate Editor for Embedded Computing Design, is responsible for web content edits, product news, and constructing stories. She also assists with newsletter updates as well as contributing and editing content for ECD podcasts and the ECD YouTube channel. Before working at ECD, Tiera graduated from Northern Arizona University where she received her B.S. in journalism and political science and worked as a news reporter for the university’s student led newspaper, The Lumberjack.

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