Course Overview

This foundational two-day course introduces essential testing concepts and techniques for embedded systems. You’ll learn the test pyramid approach, design testable architectures, implement HIL/SIL testing, and create effective test strategies that work within hardware constraints. Perfect for embedded developers who want to improve code quality through systematic testing.

Testing embedded systems requires a unique blend of software testing principles and hardware-aware techniques. This course equips you with a complete testing toolkit: from designing testable architectures and static analysis through unit testing and integration testing with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) approaches. You’ll learn how to write effective tests, communicate issues clearly, and build a comprehensive test strategy that catches bugs early while working within the constraints of embedded systems.

Learning Objectives

  • Apply the test pyramid approach to embedded systems
  • Design architectures that enable testing (HAL patterns, dependency injection)
  • Write effective unit tests following best practices
  • Implement HIL and SIL testing strategies effectively
  • Use static analysis tools to catch bugs before runtime
  • Create comprehensive test strategies for embedded projects
  • Communicate bugs and test results to diverse stakeholders
  • Gain awareness of testing in agile embedded contexts

Topics Covered

  1. Testing Philosophy & Economics - Investment, ROI, risk management, when testing is “enough”
  2. Testable Architectures - HAL patterns, dependency injection, decoupling strategies (major module with hands-on refactoring)
  3. Unit Testing Best Practices - AAA pattern, test quality, TDD introduction, coverage strategy
  4. Static Analysis - Tools and techniques for embedded C/C++ code quality
  5. HIL and SIL Testing - Hardware and software-in-the-loop approaches with hands-on exercises
  6. Test Strategy Development - Risk-based prioritization, incremental adoption, team considerations
  7. Team Collaboration Patterns - Three Amigos model, bug reports, stakeholder communication, BDD awareness

What You Get

  • Hands-on exercises for testable architecture patterns
  • Practical HIL/SIL testing examples and implementation patterns
  • Bug report templates and communication guidelines
  • Risk-based test strategy framework for your embedded projects
  • Certificate of completion