What is hardware in the loop?
Hardware in the loop (HIL) is an engineering testing method. It connects hardware components like sensors and controllers to a software-simulated environment for validation.
The software simulates real-world conditions, providing sensor readings and predicting the outcomes when actuators perform actions. Signal generators then convert the virtual data into concrete electrical signals. Finally, the hardware interacts with the signal generators as if it were functioning in the real world.
Safety first
HIL helps engineers refine control algorithms and detect issues early. It enables testing of module combinations and conditions that would be challenging or impossible to replicate in real life, ultimately reducing costs and risks.
In my previous experience, I contributed to creating signal generators in the HIL test for an aircraft. Currently, I am responsible for developing a realistic digital replica of a nuclear reactor that serves as the source of truth for hardware components.
