ASAM XIL-MA

(The download of the standard ASAM XIL-MA is free of charge)

ASAM XIL-MA is an extract from ASAM XIL and contains the model access port specification as well as some common functionality from this standard. It has been developed as a joint undertaking between ASAM and the ITEA 2 Project MODELISAR. Within the group of Modelica FMI (functional mock-up interfaces) standards, ASAM XIL-MA takes the position of functional mock-up interfaces for applications. The standard is open to the public and can be obtained from ASAM for free without membership.

ASAM XIL-MA contains the specification of an object-oriented API that allows test automation tools to control simulation tools and to provide access to a simulation model. This API separates test automation tools from simulation tools and the hardware that they are running on (e.g. hardware-in the-loop systems), so that tools from different vendors can be integrated. Furthermore, the API enables data exchange between different tools, which allows that test cases can run with different simulators without major migration efforts.

The major component of ASAM XIL-MA is the specification of the MAPort (model access port). This port constitutes an object-oriented API for read- and write-access to the model, to set up capturing of simulation data and generation of stimulation signals, definition of triggers, storage of data, management of model variables, error handling and methods for simulation control. Tools, which support the ASAM XIL-MA interface, are fully compatible to ASAM XIL compliant tools, but have only the functionality of the model access port. The ASAM XIL standard provides more ports for measurement, calibration, diagnostics, network access and electrical error simulation.

ASAM XIL-MA supplements the FMI set of standards. These standards cover different simulation scenarios, such as model exchange, co-simulation and product lifecycle management (PLM). ASAM XIL-MA takes the position of testing applications within the supported simulation scenarios and is also called "FMI for Applications".

The standard can be used in all scenarios, where a test automation tool is coupled with a simulator for testing controllers in-the-loop with the controlled systems, whereas the latter is simulated by the simulator. Such systems are frequently used by the automotive industry to test ECUs. The simulators are typically HIL systems (hardware-in-the-loop), which execute simulation models in real-time and provide signals on the pin-level of the ECU.

Standard Authors

AUDI AG, AVL LIST GmbH, Berner & Mattner Systemtechnik GmbH, BMW AG, Continental Automotive GmbH , D2T, Daimler AG, dSPACE GmbH, ETAS GmbH, HORIBA Automotive Test Systems GmbH, M&K Mess- und Kommunikationstechnik GmbH, MBtech Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, National Instrument Corporation, RA-Consulting GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH, Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH, TraceTronic GmbH, Vector Informatik GmbH.