State of the art: hardware in the loop modeling and simulation with its applications in design, development and implementation of system and control software

Nowadays due to the technology development and use of digital computers in various systems, need for development of high performance and robust software is attracting great attentions. Because of increasing complexity in algorithms and implementation hardware for embedded systems, proper simulation tools are required. In sophisticated systems design, hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation is known as a prominent simulation tool before realistic tests of the system and a step after software simulation. Simultaneously it can be used for verification and validation of automation and control software. HIL has had an historical background in aerospace industries. Recently, this tool has spread in different steps of system life cycle such as design, development, implementation and test of various applications including automobile industry, shipbuilding, power lines, robotic systems and etc. Utilizing a suitable hardware in the loop laboratory, in system design stages is a practical way to increase the system reliability and efficiency as well as value of product. Also, by proper investigation in this modelling and simulation method, many errors can be avoided in design procedure of software and hardware as well as their interconnections. In this study, structure and components of an hardware in the loop laboratory for different systems are explored, also it is tried to more evaluate the applications of HIL simulations in dynamics and control engineering. At last, general structure of an hardware in the loop lab for diverse industries is proposed and discussed.