The utility of Hardware-In-The-Loop (HIL) simulation for Antilock Braking System (ABS) development and validation is well known. A continuing challenge is the simulation of wheel speed signals normally produced on a real vehicle by magnetic pickup wheel speed sensors and toothed exciter wheels (tone rings).
This paper presents motivation for, and implementation details of, a state-of-the-art HIL implementation using actual wheel speed sensors and tone rings, velocity-controlled electric motors, and real-time vehicle models connected to air brake system hardware. This implementation differs from prior HIL systems by allowing ABS system validation using actual wheel speed sensors and tone rings.
The inclusion of tone rings in the HIL environment allows simulation of proving-grounds-type testing in a controlled laboratory environment, while preserving the realism of actual sensors and tone rings. Sensors and tone rings of interest could be new or modified designs, damaged units returned from the field, or test units purposely damaged to represent real or imagined worst case scenarios. The basics of HIL simulation are covered only in summary, but details can be found in the other SAE papers referenced herein. This paper assumes the reader has some familiarity with HIL systems.