Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulations
Hardware-In-the-Loop-(HIL)-simulation is a systematic method for testing functions, integration or communication in Electronic Control Unit (ECU), regardless of whether it’s within automotive, robotics, aerospace, automation or medtech applications. The method is based on simulating as much as possible of the controlled systems mechanics, sensors and acuators, and then running experiments on the resulting model. You can, for example, manually inject faults into the model to test whether the diagnostics of the ECU works as it should.
Hardware
The dSPACE HIL hardware is scalable, and can be comprised of anything from a simple single-card setup to a complex distributed system with networked ECUs. The simulators exist in everything from small desktop-sized variants, to several 19″ racks, all depending on the needs of the customer.
Typically, a system is comprised of:
- A real-time processor for simulation. This can be a multi core system or even several processors if needed.
- I/O-cards for simulation of sensors and measuring of ECU signals to actuators.
- I/O-cards for communication.
- A unit for simulating the battery, providing a static or variable voltage feed to the ECU.
- A unit for conducting electronic fault injection, which simulates things like short-circuits, torn or loose cables, and other similar faults.
Software
To operate HIL systems, a range of software is required, depending on both the equipment used and the specific testing process implemented by the customer. As such, we offer a wide range of software that can be used to control or automate the testing process.
- Implementation software for modelling, specifying I/O, and compiling.
- Experiment software for measuring and calibration.
- Tools for generating automated tests.
- Data-, version- and variant management of ECUs, results and reports.
