Deep Dive into Feature Modeling with Requirements, Architecture, and Test Cases

In this deep dive, we will explore how feature modeling can be applied to a small automotive ECU system, with a focus on the Powertrain Control ECU. We will start with 10 base platform requirements, define two variants with additional requirements, and trace these requirements through architecture and test cases.

The feature model will help manage the complexity, ensuring that the base platform supports a broad range of features, while the variants are tailored for specific configurations.

1. Base Platform Requirements

2. Variants

• Variant 1: Hybrid Vehicle
• This variant focuses on hybrid engine control with regenerative braking.

• Variant 2: Performance Gasoline Vehicle
• This variant focuses on high-performance gasoline engines with enhanced fuel management.

3. Feature Model

Below is a simplified feature model of the ECU system showing the common base platform features and specific features for each variant.

graph LR
    A[ECU Platform System] --> E[CAN Communication]
    A --> F[Diagnostic Interface]
    A --> G[Fuel Management]

    A --> M[Variant 2: Performance Gasoline Vehicle]
    M --> B[Powertrain Control]
    B --> C[Gasoline Engine Control]
    B --> N[Turbocharged Engine Support]
    B --> O[Performance Fuel Optimization]

    A --> K[Variant 1: Hybrid Vehicle]
    K --> D[Hybrid Engine Control]
    D --> H[Regenerative Braking]
    D --> I[Electric Motor Control]
    D --> L[Energy Distribution]

4. Architecture Mapping

Each requirement (both base platform and variants) can be mapped to specific components in the system architecture. Here is a high-level architecture breakdown based on the requirements.

5. Test Cases

Test cases ensure that each requirement is validated. The test cases can be broken down into base platform tests and variant-specific tests. Here is a summary table for test case development.

6. Flow from Requirements to Architecture and Test Cases

The following diagram summarizes the flow from requirements to architecture and test cases:

graph TD
    A[Requirements]
    A --> B[Base Platform Requirements]
    A --> C[Variant Requirements]

    B --> D[Architecture]
    C --> D[Architecture]

    D --> E[Components]

    E --> F[Test Cases]
    F --> G[Base Platform Tests]
    F --> H[Variant-Specific Tests]

    G --> I[System Validation]
    H --> I[System Validation]

7. Benefits of this Approach

By using feature modeling and variant management, we achieve several key benefits across the development lifecycle:

• Reusability: The base platform requirements and architecture can be reused across multiple variants, reducing development time and cost.
• Flexibility: Variants can be easily configured to support specific vehicle models without modifying the base platform.
• Traceability: Each requirement is traced to its corresponding architecture component and test case, ensuring full coverage and compliance.
• Efficiency: By defining feature models, engineers can focus on configuring the specific features needed for each variant, avoiding redundant work.

Conclusion

Feature modeling, coupled with the Functional → Logical → Technical → Component architecture pattern, provides a powerful framework for managing complex ECU development in the automotive industry. By defining a robust base platform and extending it with well-defined variants, automotive engineers can optimize development efforts, ensure reusability, and validate each system configuration through targeted test cases.

This structured approach enables automotive manufacturers to produce multiple variants with minimal rework, resulting in faster time-to-market, reduced costs, and higher-quality systems.