Network and Vehicle Digital Twins for Hardware in the Loop Simulation of C-ITS Applications

This paper presents a proof-of-concept architecture for testing connected and automated vehicle applications through a co-simulation platform that integrates multiple tools, including Eclipse MOSAIC, ns-3, SUMO, and the Vector CANoe software. Eclipse MOSAIC synchronizes these simulators via a Runtime Infrastructure, enabling realistic representations of traffic dynamics, network performance, and application behaviour. This architecture effectively develops a digital twin of the deployed network communication of the involved vehicles, enabling the evaluation of network effects, including those introduced by real life buildings, correctly placed inside the simulation. By employing this framework, researchers can evaluate connected and automated driving applications under diverse conditions while preserving consistency between virtual simulations and real-world scenarios. Thus, this platform aims to bridge the gap between virtual testing and real-world implementation, thereby supporting the development, validation, and analysis of advanced vehicle technologies and applications.