Embedded Testing Services

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Embedded Testing Services

Introduction

Embedded testing is a process that checks the functional and non-functional attributes of both software and hardware in an embedded system in order to ensure that the final product is defect free. The primary goal of embedded testing is to determine whether or not the final product of embedded hardware and software meets the client’s requirements.

Significance

Why is “Embedded testing” required?

It's very essential to make sure the hardware and coupled software work well together and bug free, which can be achieved with embedded testing.

Embedded software testing ensures that the software in question is of high quality and meets all of the requirements. Embedded software testing is an excellent method for ensuring security in critical applications such as medical equipment, aviation, vehicles, network systems and mechanical systems, and electronic devices with software user interfaces for use. Strict and thorough testing is required for software quality and certification.

Repercussion

What happens if you don't do “Embedded system testing”?
?

We can’t release any product to market without testing, it's very essential that testing is part of any product development, and it is applicable to Embedded systems as well. The intended expectations from the hardware behavior are connected through software user interfaces, where we can validate the behavior of the hardware input/outputs through associated software. Without detailed testing of any product, there will be a risk of failure of the product in the market.
Inadequately tested products result in lower sales and a tarnished reputation, which small businesses and start-ups cannot afford. They should not rush to market with an untested product due to time constraints. The key point here is that designers plan and implement test hooks that increase the product's testability and reduce failure with simpler testers.

Approach

Process/TF’s Approach

We understand the entire product requirements in detail before we plan the approach for testing, we prepare a detailed Level of effort, after we understand the test scope, by performing exploratory checks or reviewing the product requirements/mock environment.

We work very closely with the product team to get a complete understanding before we finalize the test approach. There will be reviews at the peer level and product team level to make sure we reach the client's expectations.

Methodology

In general, we follow the below testing methods for embedded systems testing.

Product Unit software testing: This step presupposes testing of the modules in a full framework that includes complete software codes, RTOS (real-time operating system), and certain pieces related to a platform like tasking mechanisms, communications, interruptions, and so on. Here, the point of control protocol is rather a message sent/got through the RTOS message queues, than a call to a function or an invocation method. Design verification and validation testing -Testing during the design phase is important to ensure that the design is:
  • Correct to the specifications and every specification is tested and proven
  • The timing of the circuit is as per the design
  • Components operate within the specified limits
  • Validates the bill of material so that the cost is frozen
  • PCBs and the systems can be moved to manufacturing after the clean-up of any corrections that need to be done.
  • System Integration testing- The module to be tested begins from a set of components within a single node. The Points of Control and Observations (PCOs) are a mix of network related communication protocols and RTOS, such as network messages and RTOS events. Additionally to a component, a Virtual Tester can likewise play the role of a node
System Validation Testing: The module to be tested is a subsystem with a complete implementation or the complete embedded system. The objective of this final test is to meet external entity functional requirements. An external entity can either be a person, a device in a telecom network, or both. Functional testing The software that is interfaced with specific hardware is tested for all the functional aspects, with detailed test cases designed and validated before the execution of the same with peers/product owners, this is to ensure the final software that is used to manage the hardware is well tested before the release. Automated testing will be crucial to the large-scale adoption of embedded systems or associated mobile computing devices by enterprises, despite the challenges of automating tests from end to end. It will provide significant benefits during the development cycle as the variety and number of devices grow. Simulation testing is carried out as it is essential as connectivity options increase – from Wi-Fi, BLE,3G, 4G, LoRa, Mi-Wi, and more. Security testing is needed at both the device level and for the network as data passes across it. This involves an access mechanism, authentication, encryption techniques, and more, all of which need validation. Interoperability testing is usually associated with hardware and software components, systems, and platforms that enable machine-to-machine communication. This phase validates the devices and other elements in the overall solution, which should be based on standards whenever possible. Real-time testing is performed in the environment the devices will operate in. This could include exposing them to weather, site requirements, and physical impact. This phase is sometimes referred to as factory acceptance testing, which involves calibration tests and standard-based certification. 3GPP conformance testing is a specific group of tests that involve connecting a wireless device to a system of wireless test equipment and then performing 3GPP-mandated tests. Some of them involve the radio frequencies on which the device operates, while others are protocol-based tests; some are done over the air, and device SIM cards may also be tested. One of the two major organizations for 3GPP-based device certification, the Global Certification Forum, also requires that the device be drive-tested. One of the test determinations made by 3GPP during the course of developing the tests is the pass-fail limits for 3GPP conformance testing.

Tools

A couple of tools used in Embedded testing

  • Tessy
  • TestPlant
  • Parasoft
  • KlocSoft
  • Vector Software

Timing

What would be the right time to do this test?

It's always good to be involved from the beginning of the product design, but we can pitch in and test the product in any phase, based on the product release plans.

Must Opt

What are the other testing services you must opt for with Embedded Testing?

  • Performance testing
  • Security testing
  • Automation testing