Role of Hardware in the Loop Testing in Model Based Design

Model based design (MBD) is a systems engineering approach for collaborative design, analysis, simulation and testing of complex systems such as embedded architectures. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) is an important aspect of MBD wherein the functionality of the designed embedded system architecture model is tested on actual hardware for realistic performance assessments. HIL is a continuously evolving technological frame-work that is widely used in auto embedded components being made using MBD methodology. HIL has a wide range of applications in design validation, control prototyping, functional testing of integrated components, response validation under simulated conditions and more. HIL eliminates the need for costly, time intensive and sometimes safety-critical testing of embedded algorithms in actual scenarios. HIL is being preferred more and more over the traditional hardware testing methodologies as it provides a competitive edge in developing dependable and reliable auto embedded hardware systems. This paper presents a brief literature review and introduction of the hardware in the loop concept within the framework of model based design from an embedded systems perspective. HIL helps to reduce the overall development costs as well as the time to market of modern automobile industry.