Thursday, July 16, 2009

Hardware-in-loop Simulation


Hardware in loop simulation (HILS) technique is a kind of real-time simulation where the input and output signals of the simulator show the time dependant values as the real process. Compared to numerical simulation and physical simulation, it has many amazing advantage over the real time operation of any machine. An implementation and testing of control system by HILS in aerospace engineering is increasingly being required for the design as it becomes a very beneficial tool in acquiring ‘real’ data without taking a risk of losing any real vehicle. In general HILS has dramatically reduced the risk of scientific research and shortened the exploring period. In avionics the Hardware in Loop Simulation (HILS) is used increasingly in developing and testing the complex real-time systems. This controls the input and output of the control system without affecting the controller. The HILS framework consists of Electronic Control Unit, Plant model and Input/output.