How We Accelerated ECU Software Development through Advanced MBD Automation

The client sought to modernize its ECU software development practices to align with evolving OEM standards and product complexity. The goal was to move from a manual, error-prone MBD approach to a more agile, automated, and compliant framework.

The client set out to achieve the following objectives:

• Accelerate development timelines and enable early bug detection to reduce project costs.
• Enhance code readability and increase code reusability across multiple product lines.
• Ensure compliance with automotive quality standards such as MISRA, ASPICE, and ISO 26262.
• Establish end-to-end traceability from requirements to testing for auditability and accountability.

Adopt continuous integration practices to drive efficiency and quality throughout the software lifecycle.

SRM Tech’s Model-Based Development (MBD) team collaborated closely with the client to transform their ECU software development lifecycle through a Tool-Driven MBD framework—a modified waterfall model that enables parallel execution of key development activities.

Key solution interventions included:

• Automated Requirement Validation: Implemented pre-check tools to verify and link requirement specifications before model development, ensuring accuracy and eliminating early-stage errors.
• Reusable Architecture Design: Created TargetLink-compliant models with modular, hierarchical structures optimized for autocode generation and scalability across evolving designs.
• Automated Code Generation: Deployed Authoring tools for MISRA- and OEM-specific standards compliance, eliminating manual coding inconsistencies.
• Automated Parameter Validation: Integrated scaling and consistency checks through predefined tool scripts for early model validation.
• Automated Testing: Executed back-to-back testing via Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulations using automated test scripts, reducing manual effort.
• Automated Documentation and Reporting: Enabled automatic generation of design documents, traceability matrices, and test reports for faster, error-free compliance submissions.
• Version and Change Management: Established end-to-end traceability and robust version control for enhanced process governance.
• One-Click Tool Automation: Integrated SWE3 and SWE4 processes covering model development, code generation, testing, verification, and reporting into a single executable “One-Click” environment. 

Before Implementation

Before adopting the tool-driven MBD approach, the client’s ECU software development was slow, complex, and error-prone.

• Manual code generation caused frequent MISRA violations and inconsistent quality.
• Testing coverage remained below 60%, with many defects discovered late during Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) or vehicle testing, resulting in costly rework.
• Documentation required weeks of manual effort, and code reuse across ECU variants was minimal. 

After Implementation

Post-implementation, SRM Tech’s Tool-Driven MBD framework redefined the client’s development process with measurable improvements:

• 90% reduction in overall development time, significantly shortening project lead time.
• MISRA-compliant, high-quality autocode generated automatically, minimizing manual coding errors.
• Testing coverage improved to near 100%, with automated MIL/SIL testing ensuring early validation and faster iterations.
• Late-stage bugs decreased dramatically, expediting production readiness and deployment.
• Automated documentation reduced preparation time to less than a week, ensuring consistency and audit readiness.
• Code reuse increased to nearly 70%, accelerating variant development and lowering engineering costs by up to 70%.
• The One-Click execution environment enabled seamless model execution, regardless of complexity or size, with maximum tool utilization. 

Key Highlights

Tool Automation:
Developed scripts to automate model development, code generation, test generation, simulation, verification, and reporting.

Custom Environment and Reusable Libraries:
Built a custom MBD environment and reusable control block libraries aligned with Japanese OEM standards (Diagnostics, State Machines, Custom Library Blocks).

Quality Standard Compliance:
Ensured strict adherence to ISO 26262, MISRA C, ASPICE, and MAAB modelling guidelines.

Traceability:
Established bidirectional traceability across requirements, models, tests, and code.

Increased Productivity:
Enabled 24/7 automated execution of complex models with minimal human intervention, improving turnaround time and productivity.

• 90% Reduction in Lead Time
• 90% Decrease in Code Inconsistencies & Late-Bug Discovery
• Enhanced MIL/SIL Testing Efficiency
• 100% Code Coverage
• Up to 70% Cost Reduction
• Faster Delivery, Higher Quality