Question on Automatic TESTING of Embedded Applications

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Manjo 22 years ago

I've been looking at off-the-shelf (OTS) software for automatically testing embedded applications like medical devices(i.e., infusion pumps, heart monitors, etc.). I'm looking for a package that will automate unit and system testing, and facilitate regression testing. As I look at product in the market, it seems they all require that the device application software be wrapped in the vendors software in order to provide useful information. This upsets the timing in a real-time application, and takes up needed application memory.

So I'm looking for a OTS product that can do the job less intrusively. I'm still having a hard time sifting out the wheat from the chaff (I've visited about 20 web sites that claim they have solutions). Would some kind soul give me some idea what products are out there that are best (or better) for testing embedded applications? They don't have to have been used in testing a medical device.

TIA for any ideas, tips, suggestions, comments.

-- Manjo A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for. --William Shedd

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Dave Hansen 22 years ago

Look at TestQuest

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Non-intrusive test of devices such as PDAs, cell phones, set-top boxes, etc. They got their start testing medical devices such as pacemaker programmers, ventilators, and blood analyzers.

Windows software runs a C language interpreter and controls hardware that simulates the user. Captures target output through video interfaces, serial links, etc.

Disclaimer: I used to work for them when their name was B-Tree [Verification] Systems.

Regards,

-=Dave

Change is inevitable, progress is not.

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Chris Hills 22 years ago

In article , Manjo writes

Hi

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Have a look at TESSY (terrible name for a good tool) It works with many ICE to give fully automated unit and system testing.

Hard real time on target. This is with completely NON-instrumented code. Ie it runs the production code on the HW in real-time.

It has a graphical test case editor for determining test cases that was initially designed by Daimler Chrisler for embedded automotive testing.

Regards Chris

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/\ /\/\/ snipped-for-privacy@phaedsys.org

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Manjo 22 years ago

in article sTUJ3rBcNGj$ snipped-for-privacy@phaedsys.demon.co.uk, Chris Hills at snipped-for-privacy@phaedsys.org wrote on 10/14/03 4:58 PM:

Chris,

Thanks for the info. I only had a chance to glance at the web site, but it looks very interesting. I will study the site more thoroughly this morning. Thank you for the information.

Manjo

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Manjo 22 years ago

testing

in

software

information.

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Not Really Me 22 years ago

testing

Considering your application area, be careful with automated testing. The types of medical products you listed would be classified as type 2 or type 3 devices in the US market by the FDA and require careful testing. Looking at the two products recommended so far, it is unclear that they will do an adequate job of testing all code paths and how they handle calls outside of a given function and supplying a variety of call return values.

We use IPL's Cantata test tool

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for this job and it provides all the coverage you will need for all levels of medical products.

There is also CodeTest from Metrowerks

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but it is on the high end of the price scale.

You can get names and web pointers to some others on our web site at:

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Scott Validated Software Corp.

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