Automatic Testing

Phenix is a simple and efficient test solution that answers to market requirements, and particularly to the test automation problem.

Phenix can also be seen as a high-level Frontal User Interface for several different physical interfaces. This is one of the main advantages of Phenix because it enables the federation of all types of interfaces and, better still, it makes it possible to converge to a unique test methodology.

Let’s now talk about Phenix in the context of Smart Metering configurations.

In this example, the electrical meter has 4 interfaces. Let’s assume that the exchange between those interfaces is bi-directional, let’s also assume that all 4 interfaces have different physical layers, and finally let’s assume that the 4 interfaces are using different protocols.

The interfaces A, B, C, and D represent any protocol transported through any physical layer, and in this case, Phenix is behaving exactly as the context around the SUT behaves in the real system and in a very reliable way. Consequently, it guarantees a consistent real time behavior around the SUT.

In this exercise, we have to test the functional part of each Finite State Machine related to each protocol, but also, what is more important, to test the interoperability of all those protocols working simultaneously in real time in the electric meter. Besides, you need to put the electrical meter under stress to guarantee that the limits of the normal behavior are over the accepted limits. You also need to have a solid Test Suite reference to execute non-regression testing when updates are required in the embedded software. Last but not least, you need to guarantee a reliable integration of the product in the target installation (utilities).

Phenix helps to realize the test at all those stages of the Project Life Cycle, and Phenix also allows potential test actors like utilities, providers, system designers, software suppliers, certification institutions etc, to save time and therefore, to reduce project costs.

Phenix is a configurable, high-level, user-friendly interface that allows you to:

• Federate Data Exchange with heterogeneous hardware (concentrators, meters, simulators, equipment, special drivers, etc)
• Handle a unique Test Methodology using standard tools (same Top Frontal GUI for all hardware & protocols)
• Specify Test Suites constituted of scenarios in the standard language MSC (Message Sequence Chart)
• Edit data by means of graphical syntax-oriented editors (MSC Editor and ASN.1 Editor)
• Adapt the test system to the System Under Test (SUT) by means of Plug & Play Interfaces
• Generate simultaneous bi-directional multi-protocol real-time traffic for the SUT
• Identify issues thanks to its powerful error detection – the notifications are graphical and easy to understand
• Analyze Test Logs using high-level graphical tools (each execution generates a Test Log)
• Obtain a complete Test Report with a digital signature (private key) from any Test Log
• Stress the SUT using functional tests…and much more!

Phenix has a generic API to handle specific hardware for connecting the SUT (Physical Layers), and in these cases dedicated Plug & Plays (Hardware and related drivers) are implemented. Connections such as Serial (Optical Mode E, Rs485), TCP/IP (UDP), PLC (S-FSK, PRIME, G3, Broadband) RF (Zigbee, M-BUS ( wired & wireless), GSM/GPRS) etc. are possible, but also hardware integration for reading voltage, pressure, current, temperature etc. This is possible thanks to basic Interfaces like Serial ports or PCI interfaces.

Phenix also provides the protocols to take complete control of the power sources MTE PPS 400.3 and ZERA MT 551. In this context, Phenix also answers to all test requirements concerning the metrology.

We can say that Phenix, with its protocol integration and its Plug & Plays, covers all requirements to guarantee functional, defense, stress, interoperability, integration and non-regression testing in the Smart Metering Project Life Cycle. The next figure shows a generic Smart Metering Validation Platform.

Phenix uses a unique methodology for testing all situations, allowing the validation teams to save time in training, going into test description, executing them, analyzing results and in that way, reduces costs through the entire life cycle of the validation project.

Besides, all interactions for creating test projects is done from the usual user workstation. Several users can work on different projects simultaneously, connected to the same Phenix server. Of course, it is possible to run Phenix on a laptop when tests have to be done on the client site or on the field.

Phenix can be considered as a high-end Conformance Test Tool, and be seen as a federator for all situations. From this point of view, Phenix helps testers to deal with a unique Test Methodology.

Andrea Informatique has an extensive catalog of Protocols, Plug & Plays and Conformance Test Suites.

Business Model:

Our company proposes all services around Phenix: Licenses, Maintenance, Upgrade Subscriptions, Training, Protocols, Plug & Plays, Conformance Test Suites, Test Plan Design, Test Plan Implementation and Testing Services in our labs.

Phenix is distributed under license: the Licenses, Maintenance Contracts, and Subscriptions.

Upgrade subscription includes: Phenix updates, client requirements, mandatory or suitable changes of Operative System versions, development kits etc., support to build up validation projects, direct support by VPN if required by the client.

Maintenance basically includes: bug corrections and e-mail support.

Protocols and Plug & Plays: all protocols (and physical interfaces) used in Europe in the Smart Metering Area are available. We have integrated DLMS COSEM, HDLC, EURIDIS, M-BUS (wired and wireless), SML, IEC1107 but also PRIME, LoRaWAN, Wi-SUN, G3 and G3 Hybrid.

Test Suites: test suites are available. A test Suite license allows the client to copy and modify all data in the Test Suite. A test Suite can also be considered as a work base for improving the test sets.

Training: is provided on the client site and takes 2-3 days. The training is done using the client platform to improve efficiency.

Services: Andrea Informatique will evaluate all service requests around Phenix like Test Plan Design or Test Plan Implementation. Andrea Informatique can also design and install ready-to-use Test Platforms for the validation of complex Smart Metering Projects on the client site.

DLMS COSEM Tools & Services are a complete package of products and support to improve the reliability and to reduce project development time, and in consequence, to reduce the costs of your Smart Metering Projects.