A Framework for Cross-Domain Integration and Validation in Software-Defined Vehicle Systems

Abstract

The transition from isolated domain-specific electronic control unit (ECU) architectures to fully integrated software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms has introduced a new class of engineering challenge: cross-domain integration complexity. As vehicle software increasingly emerges from the dynamic interaction of subsystems spanning body control, powertrain coordination, thermal management, active safety, and connectivity, validation strategies designed for component-level verification are fundamentally insufficient. Integration defects   arising from timing misalignment, inconsistent signal interpretation, and conflicting control arbitration across domains surface late in development when remediation costs are highest. This paper presents a structured framework for cross-domain integration and system-level validation in SDV environments. The framework unifies four foundational engineering capabilities: explicit modeling of inter-domain dependencies, standardized signal interface definitions aligned with AUTOSAR Adaptive specifications, cross-domain temporal synchronization mechanisms, and coordinated scenario-based validation orchestration. Empirical evaluation against component-only validation baselines, using a reference defect set of confirmed cross-domain integration defects drawn from multi-domain automotive program integration records, demonstrates that the framework increases cross-domain defect detection rate by 64%, reduces integration cycle time by 58%, and expands cross-domain validation coverage from 43% to 91%. By elevating cross-domain interactions from emergent side effects to first-class engineering artifacts, the framework materially advances the state of practice in SDV system integration and validation