CANLay: A Network Virtualized Testbed for Vehicle Systems – Improving System Integration and Verification Efforts

Abstract Integration and Verification activities for cyber physical system networks is a complex task requiring multiple iterations of hardware and software configurations and topologies. Such testing is crucial for the system's functionality, safety, and security during operation. A proficient approach to swiftly generate various testing setups is to employ a software‐defined system, vehicle in this case, and encapsulate in‐vehicle networking messages in a switched packet network, like Ethernet. This paper introduces CANLay, the networking foundation of a software‐defined vehicle that serves as a virtualized test bed for in‐vehicle network examination. CANLay carries controller area network data and sensor signals originating from vehicle control units and simulator systems. It functions as a communication medium between a vehicle simulator and real‐world electronic control units situated on distinct network segments. CANLay's efficacy is demonstrated for heavy vehicle network performance testing in a versatile digital engineering environment, facilitating streamlined system integration and verification efforts.