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Chapter 9
Alfredo Benso
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Stefano Di Carlo
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Alessandro Savino
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Software-Based Self-Test
for Reliable Applications
in Railway Systems
ABSTRACT
The introduction of computers in the control and automation of railway systems led to the massive use
of microprocessor-based devices in almost all critical elements of a modern railway infrastructure (e.g.,
signaling systems, trains control, etc.). Therefore, microprocessor-based systems play a crucial role in
the safety, reliability and security of these infrastructures.
The very strict safety standards, which must be guaranteed in a railway system, make the testing of all
electronic components a unique and challenging case study. Software-based self-test represents a very
attractive test solution to cope with the problem of on-line and off-line testing of microprocessor-based
systems. It makes it possible to deeply test hardware components without introducing extra hardware
and stressing the system in its operational condition. This chapter overviews the basic principles of
software-based self-test techniques, focusing on a set of best practices to be applied in writing, verifying
and computing the fnal test coverage of high-quality test programs for railway systems.
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-1643-1.ch009