Testing software major NI has combined new technologies like camera processing and RF I/O, along with traditional HIL components, into a single system.
NI, which recently announced revenue of $306 million, said that this new system is built on open, off-the-shelf hardware and software platforms.
“We chose an NI HIL test system because it is built on open, standard platforms that allowed us to reduce the overall cost of test and long-term maintenance and ownership of our hardware,” said Anders Tunstromer, Saab Aeronautics.
The adaptability will allow users to utilize advancing technologies like advanced driver assistance systems, system electrification and advanced sensor integration.
HIL Simulators allow selection from a turnkey test system based on open, industry-standard platforms and are not limited to closed, unadaptable test systems or an entire system built from the ground up.
“It also allowed us to customize the system to our exact needs, increasing the speed at which we could find and fix embedded software defects while integration testing LRUs for our Gripen fighter,” added Tunstromer.
The HIL Simulators can be used as customized systems to include technologies like camera data, RF measurement and generation for radar targets, passive entry/passive start, tire pressure monitoring systems and FPGAs for running advanced models, all of which ensures maximum software test coverage.
“Due to changing requirements and the need for more complete test coverage, most HIL test systems require some amount of customization in addition to the common components,” said Chad Chesney, vice president, Data Acquisition and Embedded Systems at NI.
Also, for fast testing of defects, a turnkey HIL Simulator with VeriStand test software for real-time simulation, stimulus generation and data acquisition is present.
Existing models and hardware can be easily reused by integrating third party software models and third-party systems using the ASAM XIL industry standard.
“NI has standardized the common pieces of these test systems, enabling our customers and partners to focus on their areas of expertise and ensure the most reliable and innovative control systems,” Chesney added.
HIL Simulators, built on the PXI and CompactRIO open platforms, are powered by VeriStand real-time test configuration and logging software and LabVIEW system design software, as well as new SLSC hardware by NI for standardizing signal routing, switches, loads and signal conditioning.
NI HIL systems use both a real-time operating system and FPGA technology for providing customizability while efficiently utilizing the commercial-off-the-shelf components to reduce long-term maintenance risk.
