Integration Testing for Quality Assurance in the Field of Home Automation
Initial situation and project task
Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH develops intelligent home automation systems, which are able to cope with all fields of home automation such as air conditioning systems and lighting. The latest system is available in two different configurations, which are called Busch-ComfortPanel and Busch-PriOn.
This automation system communicates with sensors and actors integrated into lighting fixtures or sun-blinds via bus systems. Automated integration testing for all communication channels should be conducted, so that quality and accuracy of the integrated displays can be guaranteed in the long run.
Implementation and challenge
NOFFZ has implemented tester automation based on NI’s LabVIEW, because this programming language is especially suitable for the implementation of parallel structures. Therefore, scalable and complex integration testing could be implemented, including all required interfaces.
The Busch-ComfortPanel offers numerous software-based applications, being visualized on a touch display. These applications include simple dimming functions as well as complex scenario editors. Therefore, KNX bus, visualization and internal states had to be checked. The system’s reactions had to be compared to the specification.
For the communication with the panel, several channels had to be accessed, such as data sockets, a VNC remote connection and several TCP testing interfaces.
All applications comprise a consistent main VI, which is responsible for user interaction and dynamic access to all test steps. XML control files guarantee for highest flexibility. The implementation of pattern matching and OCR allows for data visualization on the integrated display.
Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH develops intelligent home automation systems, which are able to cope with all fields of home automation such as air conditioning systems and lighting. The latest system is available in two different configurations, which are called Busch-ComfortPanel and Busch-PriOn.
This automation system communicates with sensors and actors integrated into lighting fixtures or sun-blinds via bus systems. Automated integration testing for all communication channels should be conducted, so that quality and accuracy of the integrated displays can be guaranteed in the long run.
Implementation and challenge
NOFFZ has implemented tester automation based on NI’s LabVIEW, because this programming language is especially suitable for the implementation of parallel structures. Therefore, scalable and complex integration testing could be implemented, including all required interfaces.
The Busch-ComfortPanel offers numerous software-based applications, being visualized on a touch display. These applications include simple dimming functions as well as complex scenario editors. Therefore, KNX bus, visualization and internal states had to be checked. The system’s reactions had to be compared to the specification.
For the communication with the panel, several channels had to be accessed, such as data sockets, a VNC remote connection and several TCP testing interfaces.
All applications comprise a consistent main VI, which is responsible for user interaction and dynamic access to all test steps. XML control files guarantee for highest flexibility. The implementation of pattern matching and OCR allows for data visualization on the integrated display.
In contrast to the Busch-ComfortPanel, the Busch-PriOn does not comprise software sensors but hardware sensors, communicating with each other via I2C bus. For this application, it was required to simulate all sensors separately via LabVIEW and to check the communication with other bus subscribers.
This primarily software-based project has been extended by a multimedia test stand, which includes a camera for display inspection and LED testing.
Conclusion and future prospects
The most interesting challenge of this comprehensive project was the combined utilization of numerous different LabVIEW elements, such as bus communication tools, .net access, image processing tools, control elements and the integration of external applications.
Due to parallel test and software development, we have been facing constant changes and additional challenges, so that we kept implementing further extensions, constantly looking for new solutions. At the same time, the system had to be designed as modular and flexible as possible, so that it can be modified according to future changes, whenever this is required.
This primarily software-based project has been extended by a multimedia test stand, which includes a camera for display inspection and LED testing.
Conclusion and future prospects
The most interesting challenge of this comprehensive project was the combined utilization of numerous different LabVIEW elements, such as bus communication tools, .net access, image processing tools, control elements and the integration of external applications.
Due to parallel test and software development, we have been facing constant changes and additional challenges, so that we kept implementing further extensions, constantly looking for new solutions. At the same time, the system had to be designed as modular and flexible as possible, so that it can be modified according to future changes, whenever this is required.