2. WHAT?
HARDWARE IN LOOP SIMULATION • Hardware-In-the-Loop is a form of
real-time simulation.
• It is a technique that is used in the
development and test of complex
process systems (Control Systems).
• It differs from real-time simulation
by the addition of a real component
in the loop.
• This component may be an
“Electronic Control Unit” (ECU).
Host - PC Hardware – in – loop
Simulator
Electronic Control Unit
Plant Model
Real-time simulation refers to a
computer model of a physical system
that runs at the same rate as the actual
physical system.
3. WHY?
Host - PC Hardware – in – loop
Simulator
Electronic Control Unit
Host - PC Electronic Control Unit Plant
REAL TIME SIMULATION
HARDWARE IN LOOP SIMULATION Why not connect the ECU to
the “real plant” ?
• The most effective way to develop
an ECU is to connect the embedded
system to the real plant, if such a
plant exists.
• The reason the use of a HIL process
is becoming more prevalent is
driven by two major factors: time to
market and complexity.
• Time to Market is quite less. One
cannot wait for the plant to be
fabricated and then design a
controller.
4. DESIGN AND TESTING CYCLEHIL should be an integrated part of the design and testing cycle.
Theoretical Modelling
Simulation
Controller Prototyping
Application
Final Tuning
Validation
Target
5. PROCEDURE
1. PID Control and Simulation in Simulink (Software only) - Simulate the model and implement the built-in PID
controller in Simulink. No hardware involved.
2. Configure the PID controller (Hardware only) - Configure and be familiar with the PID controller.
6. PROCEDURE
3. HIL Simulation in Simulink (Software + Hardware)
Test the PID controller on simulated process.
4. Implement PID Controller on the Real Process
(Hardware only) – Once HIL Testing is complete we
can implement the PID controller in the real plant.
