Execute
In the Execute block, the test execution might happen in a virtual, hybrid or physical test environment, depending on the test instance resulting from the Allocate block. The allocated test cases form the input for this block. How the tests are carried out is not explicitly specified by the Safety Assurance Framework (SAF) and is the responsibility of the entity performing the tests. If the Allocate block has been applied correctly, it is guaranteed that the selected test instance is capable of performing the tests. In the case of virtual testing, the SAF recommends a harmonised approach. For that, the SUNRISE project developed a harmonised V&V simulation framework, which can be used for virtual validation of Cooperative Connected Automated Mobility (CCAM) systems but is not mandatory.
As shown in the figure below, the SUNRISE harmonised V&V simulation framework consists of a so-called base layer consisting of 4 interconnected subsystems, namely:
- Subject Vehicle – Sensors (the sensors installed in the vehicle)
- Subject Vehicle – Automated Driving (AD) function (the behavioural competencies of the vehicle)
- Subject Vehicle – Vehicle Dynamics
- Environment (in which the vehicle operates)
In this approach, the base layer is the core element that can be harmonised, because these 4 subsystems are essential for all simulations. That is the reason why it is possible to use standardised interfaces between these subsystems. The framework can be extended by the user in 4 dedicated dimensions related to the target Operational Design Domain (ODD), the vehicle Sensor set-up, the Software architecture and the Hardware architecture.
