Hardware in the Loop Simulation (HIL) for Vehicle Electronics Systems Testing and Validation

This Paper discusses the experiences on the Implementation and benefits of Hardware in the Loop (HIL) Simulation based validation systems used at TATA MOTORS for Engine Management System ECU software verification and testing. Over the years the automotive industry has added more and more Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to increase the performance, efficiency, safety and comfort of the vehicles and their drivers and also to meet the strict emission standards set by the regulation bodies governing the pollution control. Not only is the number of ECUs in modern vehicles constantly increasing, the software of the ECUs is also becoming more complex. Both make testing a central task within the development of automotive electronic systems and their integration with other systems in the vehicle.

Testing ECUs in real vehicles is time consuming, costly and comes very late in the automotive development process. To achieve the highest quality of the developed product, testing must come as early as possible within the development process. Therefore the traditional methods are increasingly replaced by laboratory tests using Hardware in the Loop (HIL) Simulation.