A software toolkit that allows in car infotainment suppliers to validate their hardware independently of the other system components, has been developed by Alpine Electronics. The kit solves a long standing issue of validating parts when other components on the fibre optic ring are not available or to the correct software level.'MOST (Media Oriented System Transport) infotainment rings can comprise up to 15 components from as many suppliers,' says OEM business manager Keith Price. 'Ensuring we have all these parts for validation is very difficult. Suppliers run to different timing plans and software releases or may not build enough parts for everyone to have one on their test rig. This hampers our development and validation.'The new software kit, created by Alpine requires the use of an optolyser and PC. The system replicates messages from other units to ensure interaction is MOST compliant. Compliance is a requirement from the vehicle OEMs. As well as ensuring software is correct, the system significantly reduces hardware costs. 'We no longer need a set of first-off hardware,' adds Price. 'These can cost up to five times the mass production price; with 15 units the savings are significant.'To date Alpine has developed the kit for its own head unit but there is scope to provide alternatives for other suppliers. The work follows on from a project at Alpine's Japanese headquarters to undertake MOST compliance testing in house before certification. This improves software quality and reduces development time. 'The project in Japan reduces core testing from two days to just four hours using a Testerlyzer,' says Price. 'Profile testing is down to ten minutes from four hours.'The first programme to have benefited from the programme will be released in 2010.For further information, visit alpine-electronics.co.uk