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The role of the Platform Automatic Train Operation Communicator (PAC) Environment Simulator is to allow demonstration that the PAC software developed for the Victoria Line (see Case Study 1 above) complies with its functional requirements.
PAC Environment Simulator Architecture
The environment simulator provides hardware interfaces between the PAC and eight separate simulator PCs (as shown in the above figure), and a software data-link layer to ensure that the simulators appear to the PAC as real components. This provides an environment which enables the simulation and recording of communications between the PAC, control systems and four separate trains concurrently.
For this full life cycle project, REP designed and developed the electronics hardware and software to perform this interface function. This encompassed a combination of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and bespoke REP designed hardware solutions to non-standard problems, all integrated into a standard 19-inch instrument rack. A bespoke Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) circuit board was designed in house as well as many of the hardware interface components.
In addition to developing the hardware and firmware test environment, REP also developed the scripting language to allow the running of test scripts to stimulate the test environment and demonstrate the correct operation of the software under test.
The scripting language was written in C++ and was developed to parse test scripts written in ASCII in an open loop system. Commands in the test scripts were processed by the scripting language and responded to in pre-defined ways. The test scripts were written to create scenarios that would fully exercise the functionality of the PAC.
Responses from the PAC to the various simulators were displayed on the screen and logged, so that the tester could observed them and confirm compliance of the software to all of it functional requirements.
The top-level test rig software carries out commands specified in test scripts written by the test user; these commands allow the complete testing of all Victoria Line functional requirements.
Design, assembly and commissioning of this test rig were completed by REP engineering staff at our Birmingham office. A project-managed team of engineers successfully undertook this fixed price project and delivered on time and within budget.
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Over 10 years experience of developing test rig solutions to verify software and hardware to Do178B and Cenelec BS EN 50 128 |
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performed all aspects of the project from Requirements Capture through to Tool Qualification and developed Test Scripts to fully demonstrate the functionality of the developed software. |
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developed the test environment to have all the functionality required to allow the software to be exercised from a system level. |
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Fixed Price project. The design, development and commissioning of the test environment was completely REP's responsibility and so a fixed price could be given to the client for the work package. |
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