In OSI model of communication, lowest layer close to
communication lines is physical layer. For Automotive OEMs Physical
layer conformance tests are mandatory. As the number of safety
critical features in cars are growing, ensuring signal fidelity is
a major concern for reliable and real time operation. CAN /CAN FD/
LIN/ MOST/ Flexray / Ethernet are a few in-vehicle communication
protocols in the vehicle network. It is very important for a
communicating ECU to comply with protocol standards. Typical
requirements per OEM's specifications under CAN physical Layer
include tests for termination resistance, bus voltage levels, bit
rate, recessive and dominant input thresholds, signal rise/fall
time, slew rate, ground offset, sample point of a bit, CAN
initialization time, fault tolerant behavior, etc. During the
product development life cycle of the ECU, physical layer
conformance tests play an important role in verifying signal
characteristics. These tests require accurate simulation and
measurement of signals. Manually executing these conformance tests
typically takes 4-5 person weeks. The human error also creeps in
while executing these tests. As the time to market for a product is
reducing day by day, it is imperative to reduce the testing time as
well. Thus automating these conformance tests increases the test
engineering efficiency and quality by avoiding human errors. In
this paper an automation test frame work for CAN physical layer is
proposed and similar approach is extended to CAN FD and LIN too.
Industry standard measurement and simulation equipment are used in
the test frame work. Scripting languages such as VBA & CAPL are
used for remote access, simulate vehicular communication, signal
measurement and test management. Modular hardware components and
layered software architecture in the framework is discussed. Also,
a case study on the benefits of automation over manual execution
and the corresponding ROI is presented. Keywords-component;
(CAN)Controller Area Network; (OEM) Original Equipment
Manufacturer; (ECU) Electronic Control Unit; (HS) High Speed; (ROI)
Return of investment; (ns)nano second