Hardware/Software and Embedded Systems CTEL-TM-SM Practice Questions (Page 2)

Questions 6–10

1. 6application · medium

   A team is developing a new smart thermostat that includes a mobile app, cloud backend, and embedded firmware. The firmware runs on a low-power microcontroller with limited memory. The test manager is planning the integration test level. What is the most important consideration when adapting integration testing for this system?

   • ATesting the mobile app and cloud backend together first, since they are the most complex components
   • BEnsuring that integration testing covers the interaction between the firmware and the hardware, including timing and resource constraints
   • CFocusing integration testing on the cloud backend, as it is the most scalable component
   • DPerforming all integration testing on the final production hardware to ensure accuracy
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2. 7application · medium

   A medical device company is testing a new implantable insulin pump. The pump's firmware is safety-critical and has very limited memory and no display. The test manager needs to prioritize testing activities. Which testing approach is most appropriate given the safety-critical nature and limited observability?

   • AConduct extensive usability testing with clinicians to ensure the pump is easy to operate
   • BPrioritize risk-based testing, focusing on failure modes with high impact and likelihood, and use hardware debugging interfaces for observability
   • CPerform exhaustive testing of all possible input combinations to achieve 100% coverage
   • DFocus on performance testing to ensure the pump responds quickly to glucose readings
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4. 8application · medium

   A test manager is coordinating the testing of a new automotive gateway that connects different vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, and Ethernet). The gateway firmware is developed by one team, and the hardware board is developed by another. The hardware team has reported a potential issue with the board's power supply that could affect the gateway's performance. What is the best way to coordinate testing with the hardware team?

   • APlan testing to account for the hardware issue, and coordinate with the hardware team to understand its impact
   • BIgnore the hardware issue and continue testing as planned
   • CSwitch to a different hardware platform that does not have the issue
   • DAsk the hardware team to fix the issue before any testing is done
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5. 9foundation · easy

   How should test levels be adapted for a hardware/software system compared to a pure software system?

   • AUnit testing is not applicable to hardware/software systems.
   • BIntegration testing should include hardware-software integration to verify that components work together correctly.
   • CIntegration testing should focus only on software components, ignoring hardware interactions.
   • DTest levels should be identical to pure software systems, with no additional considerations.
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6. 10application · medium

   A test team is testing a new pacemaker. The pacemaker has very limited memory and no external interface for debugging. The team needs to verify the device's behavior under various heart rhythm scenarios. What is the best approach to overcome the limited observability?

   • AAdd a temporary debug port to the device for testing
   • BTest the device only in a clinical trial with patients
   • CRely on the device's internal logs, which are stored in memory
   • DUse a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setup that simulates heart rhythms and monitors the device's electrical output
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