Software Development Applying

MBD Process & Tools at Ford

MathWorks Fall Automotive Engineering Conference

October 28, 2020

Presented by:
Kim Murphy
Ford MBD Technical Specialist
 Terminology: Ford Definition of "MBD"

• MBD (Model Based Design) is a Common set of Processes,

Tools and Methods for developing control/requirement
models for simulation and/or code generation.

• MBD is designed to integrate with and enhance the current

strategy/software development process used for production
and research code development.

• MBD is a methodology used to design embedded software

based on graphical models typically applied to control
systems.
 MBD Core Team & Stakeholders

Climate IT ADAS

Chassis
Powertrain

Research &
MBD Software
Advanced Core Architecture
Engineering

Electrical
MBSE Engineering

Hybrid Mechatronics

MBD Core Team is a centralized team that develops and deploys

MBD Processes, Methods, and Tools for Ford globally.
 Evolution of MBD at Ford
Teams applying Ad-hoc MBD Proven MBD
MBD for practiced across Process; Drive for
Requirements company Commonality
Capture Common
MBD Core Team
Hand- MBD
Established
code Deployment
2005-2008 2015 2018
1990’s 2012 2017
Production
Early MBD MBSE Core
Ready
Adopters Team
MBD Process
Established
Teams piloting / Tools
MBD for MBD Roll-out for New MBD
Embedded Code Key Production Stakeholders
Generation Stakeholders

Recognition of Growth & Benefits using MBD, as well as diverging

MBD practices, created value proposition for establishing MBD Core Team.
 MBD Core Team Mission Statement
to deliver best in industry standard model based design process, tools,
methods, training and user support and to be the voice of the customer with
product vendors
To that end, the MBD team is leveraging agile methodology and continuous integration platform

Increase Test Automation

Higher
Efficient Process Quality
MBD Tools
Early Error Detection
 Key Roles of Ford MBD Core Team

Core MBD Team Team of Experts

Identifies and Design MBD
Defines MBD Software Process
Requirements and Tools

Define Design

Core MBD Team Support Deploy

Supports User Core MBD Team
Base via Deploys MBD
Guidance & Training Process/Tools to
MBD User Base
 Continuous Integration & Agile MBD Workflow

Release Issue
MBD Tools Management

Continuous
Integration
Process
Execute & Develop
Test Suite Tools Fix

Write
MATLAB
Unit Test
Case

Increased Efficiency, Higher Quality MBD Tools

 What are Ford MBD Process/Tools?
Customizations are applied
Each step of Ford MBD to base tools, however,
Process applies MathWorks to support
Tools at the foundation. Ford MBD Workflow.

• Model Templates • Model Utility Tools

• Model Configuration • Model Checking Tools
• Modeling Style Guidelines • Code Generation Tools
• Blocksets (FSAB, PCCN, …) • Documentation Tools
• Example Models • Static Analysis Tools
• Requirement Traceability • Design Verification
• Parameter Management
Global MBD Processes/Methods/Tools
that allow engineer to follow Ford Recommended MBD Workflow
 Ford MBD Tools Release Process
Step 1 Ford MBD Users Submit Issue/Enhancement Request

Requests Reviewed Weekly in Global

Step 2
MBD Issues & Enhancement Meeting
Request Prioritized, Scheduled & Assigned
Step 3
to Appropriate MBD Expert/s for Resolution

Step 4 MathWorks Engaged, if Required

Expert/s Develop Requirements,

Step 5
Implements & Validates Changes

Step 6 Reviewer Assesses Changes

Step 7 Update Released to MBD Tools!

MBD Core Team delivers enhancements and fixes to

existing MBD Tools on a Quarterly basis, supporting Production Users
 MBD Core Team: Single Voice to MathWorks

Powertrain
❑ Prioritize Ford
MBD Core Team Requests
Chassis

❑ “Top 10”
Body
❑ Provide
Climate Clarification on
Requests
ADAS
❑ Track Progress
….
 MBD Tools Support for All Ford MBD Users
Single MBD Tools Release Package Supports:
• Latest 3 MATLAB “b” versions
– Users encouraged to migrate every 3 years, at minimum

• Multiple Model Architectures

– AUTOSAR, Export-function, Rate-Based

• Compliance to Model Industry Standards

– MAAB Guidelines – Functional Safety
– MISRA – AUTOSAR Style Guidelines

Some degree of flexibility required in MBD Tools to support

multiple architectures, production timing, and model requirements.
 Easing the Migration/Upgrade Pain

• MathWorks Industry Model Testing (IMT) Process

• Early Product Testing (Pre-Releases)
• Evaluate new tools for alignment with Ford MBD
workflow
• Identify & Fix issues prior to reaching Ford MBD end-users

MBD Core Team is responsible for testing new MATLAB releases

and ensuring compatibility with Internal Ford MBD Tools.
 MBD Core Team & IT Partnership

Management of MBD Portfolio (MBD Vendor Tools)

➢Manage Deployment of MBD Portfolio

Tools, including MATLAB, for all Ford
users
➢ Manage MBD Vendor Toolbox Usage
➢ Manage Enterprise Licensing Needs

Management of MBD Portfolio allows us to better take

Advantage of Latest Tools to Support Desired MBD Workflow
 Ford / MathWorks Collaboration

Strong Early Product

Working Evaluation
Relationship &
Feedback
Setting
Direction Collaboration
Together with a Purpose

Win-Win Workflow
Solutions Development

CREATING TOMORROW TOGETHER …..

 Requirements for Common MBD
Challenges Along Way:
Common
MBD Process/Tools Maturity MBD
Gaining Commonality
➢ Migrating Pre-established Strong Relationship with vendors
Processes
Engagement with Functional Teams
Culture
➢ Shift in Mindset Centralized MBD team driving & advancing MBD
Overcoming Silos Functional Team Alignment

Enterprise-Wide Alignment to MBD Strategy

 Key Learnings to Overcome Challenges

MBD
Gaining Culture Overcoming
Process / Tools
Commonality Shift Silos
Maturity

Agile Dedicating time High-Level Cross-functional

Methodology for hands-on Champion to Governance /
that allows user support & drive MBD Steering Team
support for engagement globally Forums to steer
Latest Emerging Functional MBD
Technology Alignment
 Model Based Design at the Core
Requirement Acceptance
Models TestingCommon MBD
Proven MBD process
Processes allow for
allows Quicker System Design Model System Easier Integration
Onboarding of new Models Based Testing of Component Models
engineers. at System Level.
Architectural Design Integration
Design Models Testing

Common MBD Processes

Component Component/Unit enable validation at all
Model Design Process Design Models Testing
System-V layers, enabling early
allows for Earlier
Validation of Requirements,
Simulation System Design, Architecture,
and Defect Detection. Code Generation Component and Implementation.

Common MBD Processes & Tools Not Only

Benefit the Engineer, but the Entire Enterprise.
Thank You!