Developing and Testing Virtualized AUTOSAR Software
vVIRTUALtarget is software for virtualizing individual software components and fully configured ECUs for all typical AUTOSAR projects. It supports function and software developers, software integrators and test engineers throughout the entire ECU development process.
With vVIRTUALtarget you create virtual Systems Under Test (SUTs) for both AUTOSAR Classic and AUTOSAR Adaptive:
- AUTOSAR Classic has been the established standard for use in signal-based applications for many years.
- AUTOSAR Adaptive, on the other hand, concentrates on the service-oriented architecture as it will be increasingly used in future projects.
Both architectures complement each other and are used depending on the application.
Advantages
- vVIRTUALtarget runs on all typical Windows PCs, whereas the generated Systems Under Test are also executable in Linux environments
- Runs software in real time or independently
- Setup and testing:
- ... of individual software components with abstracted basic software
- ... of the entire ECU software even without target hardware − from the application software to the AUTOSAR basic software to the hardware drivers
- Stimulation and monitoring of ECU-internal variables
- Modifying and simulation of configurations for realhardware
- Always consistent configurations of real and virtual hardware
- Easy coupling to other simulation and test tools
Applications Areas
- Testing of individual software components or their interaction with the help of abstracted communication already in early phases of development
- Virtual integration of the application code and the basic software into an overall system
- Accompanying testing during design and implementation of the functional software
- Testing and verification of software integration on a virtual basis
- Verification of tests using virtual ECUs for further use on real ECUs
Highlights Version 6
- Supports all up-to-date standards from AUTOSAR Adaptive and AUTOSAR Classic up to and including R21-11
- Virtual ECUs can now be integrated into a test environment in three ways:
- Classically directly in CANoe and in CANoe4SW Server Edition
- As an independent process that is executed in parallel with CANoe
- Via OpenSUT API in an individual runtime environment
- Even more clearly structured interfaces between test and System Under Test (SUT) through the supported CANoe Distributed Objects. Test scripts are thus even easier to understand and more intuitive to build.
- Generate Systems Under Test (SUT) for execution in Linux environments
- The new vVIRTUALtarget Server Edition is suitable for use in CI pipelines.
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Product Variants
vVIRTUALtarget "basic" and "pro" for AUTOSAR Applications
The vVIRTUAltarget variants "basic" and "pro" support you in creating virtual Systems Under Test (SUTs) for AUTOSAR Classic as well as for AUTOSAR Adaptive:
- AUTOSAR Classic is the standard that has been established for many years for use in primarily signal-based applications. vVIRTUALtarget supports you from the early stages of development and testing of software components through to the integration of complete ECUs, including the AUTOSAR basic software.
- AUTOSAR Adaptive on the other hand, focuses on the service-oriented architecture that will be increasingly used in future projects. vVIRTUALtarget allows you to conveniently develop your AUTOSAR Adaptive application on your familiar Windows operating system and test it with CANoe.
Both AUTOSAR architectures complement each other and are used in combination with vVIRTUALtarget basicor vVIRTUALtarget pro depending on the application:
Development Phase | AUTOSAR Variant | Test Focus | vVIRTUALtarget basic | vVIRTUALtarget pro |
Software Component | Classic | Virtual functional SWCs | − | ✓ |
ECU Integration | Classic | Virtual ECUs | ✓ | ✓ |
Acces to open RTE ports + port monitoring | − | ✓ | ||
Application Integration | Adaptive | Applications and configurations of the AUTOSAR Runtime for Adaptive applications (ARA) in a virtual environment | − | ✓ |
System Integration | Classic + Adaptive | Complete system with virtual and real ECUs | ✓ | ✓ |

Development Workflow of AUTOSAR Classic ECUs with vVIRTUALtarget basic/pro
The basic and pro variants are used by software developers and integrators for virtual testing of functional software based on AUTOSAR 4 from first software components (SWCs) up to a real ECU ready for SOP.
In subsequent work steps, the virtual ECUs can be executed and tested in your test environment.
Server Edition for CI
Ready for Continuous Integration

The new vVIRTUALtarget Server Edition is made for use in CI environments. This includes not only the Docker-enabled application VttMake, but also attractive licensing models for agile development teams.
Phase 1: SWC Development
Development and testing of AUTOSAR Software Components (SWCs) in early development stages
Already in the design and development phases of AUTOSAR SWCs you can start testing your results with vVIRTUALtarget pro. This variant offers you the option of automatically connecting individual or multiple SWCs to an execution environment using their AUTOSAR interfaces. The typical behavior of an AUTOSAR base software is emulated by vVIRTUALtarget pro, so you do not have to worry about configuring base services.
However, vVIRTUALtarget pro also gives you the freedom to set typical services for controlling the management layer yourself. This can be, for example, the wake-up behavior of the ECU or the assignment of AUTOSART runnables to AUTOSAR tasks. This flexible approach allows you to fully concentrate on the actual application development and test implementation:
- i.e. stimulate the inputs of your software
- observe the reaction of the software at the outputs
Phase 2: ECU Integration
Development and testing of ECUs with basic software
In the next step, you test the application and the configuration of the entire ECU virtualized with vVIRTUALtarget basic or vVIRTUALtarget pro:
The DaVinci Configurator Classic tool, allows you to configure your basic software and reuse the non-hardware related element one-to-one for the virtual ECU. The hardware related parts are replaced for your virtual ECU. However, a reconfiguration or even a new configuration is not necessary, because the virtual elements are derived from the real parts. The result is a binary file that you can use in your PC execution environment, for example in CANoe. Your test interfaces are, here analog to real ECUs, the network messages and I/Os.
In addition, the vVIRTUALtarget pro variant offers you the possibility to:
- stimulate and observe AUTOSAR port interfaces that are not assigned to bus signals
- or to connected to other software components.
- In addition, it provides you the possibility to monitor closed port connections.
The created virtual ECU can be tested alone, in combination with other virtual ECUs or in combination of real and virtual ECUs to test an entire system.
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Success Story & Case Study
Hitachi: BSW Test Efficiency Achieved with Virtual Engine ECU Generated by vVIRTUALtarget
Hitachi Astemo (formerly Hitachi Automotive Systems) has been working on virtual engine ECU and automated testing. It has implemented Vector's vVIRTUALtarget as a virtualization tool and applied it to some BSW modules that form AUTOSAR. As a result, it has succeeded in shortening the execution time of a test scenario considerably. It has also achieved other effects such as improvement in testing thoroughness and the use of the same test scenario with HILS (integration test).
Efficient Creation and Testing of Virtual AUTOSAR ECUs
Product Descriptions
Component | Recommendation | Minimum |
Operation system | Windows 10 (starting with version 1803) 64 Bit | |
Processor | Intel Core i5 3.0 GHz | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz |
Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 4 GB |
Hard drive capacity | ≥ 4 GB (depending on options used and necessary operating system components) | |
Screen resolution | Full HD | 1280 x 1024 |
You have technical questions about vVIRTUALtarget? Our KnowledgeBase provides some answers.
vVIRTUALtarget is available in these languages:
- English
- German
Benefit from this webinar recording:
"Virtual Developing and Testing AUTOSAR Software" October 2021, Duration: 59 min. |