A real-time multi-processing computer infrastructure for automated testing

The modern test infrastructure utilizes multiple computers for data acquisition, embedded control and operator interface. Often these computers are integrated in a non-real-time communications network upon which system architects attempt to overlay real-time functionality. Under development at Ford is a deterministic, data-driven communications infrastructure employing reflective memory. This system is applicable to a wide range of test, simulation and local communication environments. Multiple computers of different design are made to function as a single multi-processing unit. Immediate application of this technology includes automated testing and powertrain calibration. This paper reviews the design requirements and describes the hardware/software architecture used to provide test site transparency, independent of computing platform and test system integrator.