Hardware in the loop for automotive vehicle control systems development

There is an increasing requirement to develop vehicles within a shorter time frame. Achieving a rapid vehicle development program reduces cost and maximises the impact of a new vehicle in an extremely competitive market place. Electronic systems form a key aspect of modern vehicles that contain increasingly more electronic control units (1998 Mercedes S-Class 40 and 2002 BMW 7-Series 47). The increased use of electronic control systems requires that a smarter and more efficient means of development and testing be deployed. Hardware in the loop (HIL) systems are an important technology enabling integrated electronic control systems to be developed within the time frame defined by the vehicle development process and with a reduced reliance on expensive prototype vehicles. Such HIL systems provide a flexible test environment that can be updated and modified as the vehicle and corresponding systems develop throughout the duration of a vehicle programme.