Basissoftware

Basissoftware, or basic software, refers to the foundational layer of a computer system that provides essential services to higher software layers, including application software. It encompasses the operating system kernel and its core services, boot loaders and firmware, device drivers, system libraries and runtimes, a hardware abstraction layer, and middleware that exposes common services such as communication, security, and file management. In embedded and automotive contexts, the term Basis Software (BSW) is used to denote a standardized set of software modules that run beneath application components and above the hardware, enabling portability and reuse.

In automotive software engineering, BSW is defined by standards such as AUTOSAR, where the basis software includes the Run-Time Environment and a set of services and microcontroller abstraction layers that support ECU software components. Typical BSW components include a microcontroller abstraction layer (MCAL), ECU Abstraction, and modules for communication, memory management, diagnostics, and OS services. In general, basis software provides tasks such as resource management, scheduling, input/output handling, security and safety features, boot management, and software updates.

Development and maintenance of basissoftware emphasize stable interfaces, vendor support, and careful versioning, since changes can affect all higher layers. It is usually developed either by hardware or platform vendors or by consortiums setting standards, and is tested for portability across hardware and real-time requirements. Distinctions from application software are crucial: basis software handles low-level interaction with hardware and core services, while applications implement user-facing functionality.