Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

Hardware-in-the-loop testing

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test methodology that can be used throughout the development of real-time embedded controllers to reduce development time and improve the effectiveness of testing.

Overview

As the complexity of electronic control units (ECUs) increases, the number of combinations of tests required to ensure correct functionality and response increases exponentially. Older testing methodology tended to wait for the controller design to be completed and integrated into the final system before system issues could be identified.
Hardware-in-the-loop development and test methodology provides a way of simulating sensors, actuators and mechanical components in a way that connects all the I/O of the ECU being tested, long before the final system is integrated. It does this by using representative real-time responses, electrical simulation and functional use cases. 
  • HIL simulation is useful when testing control algorithm on the real physical system is costly or dangerous
  • Has the flexibility to change the plant characteristics and validate for multiple scenarios

Below figure shows for a top level diagram showing the
key components of a SNETLY HIL test system.

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test methodology using Snetly System

The part of the testing that represents the environment, sensors and associated hardware is called the plant model. Low complexity plant model can be incorporated in Snetly system or existing plant model from simulink can be used. Snetly supports co-simulation with Simulink models running in a host connected through Ethernet

The parts of the development & testing of controller design model can be developed using Snetly system.

HIL helps to test the behavior of your control algorithms without actual plant.

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test methodology using
 Snetly System with Simulink plant model

How does the user interact with the Snetly system?

  • Snetly system blockset helps to create controller design in quick way.
  • Low complexity plant model can be created in SNETLY system or plant model from Simulink from PC can be used. SNETLY support Simulink interface feature via UDP/IP (1 Gbps).
  • Run the plant or environment model in real time on a host computer connected to the controller.
  • The embedded controller interacts with the plant model simulation through various I/O channels.
  • The SNETLY models are running concurrently, hence there is no compilation or code download required.
  • Development and Execution on same Snetly (Target) System environment.
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