Point 1: Preparation:
The parallel development of ECU software and hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) systems creates especially great challenges for developers. Above all, excellent time management as well as consistent interface functions and the exact agreements of work packages between the departments determine the success of a HiL project. A well-considered validation process and a lot of experience are key. It is especially important to agree on which team is responsible for which topic in order to always be able to contact the right person.
Point 2: A validation setup for the HIL system
A validation setup is important to test the HiL for correctness and function in every possible situation. To do this, treat your compact HiL setup like a sensor that needs both - a measurement technique and a measurement data converter for a working test. Combined with the right software skills, an ordinary recording setup is the perfect setup to test the HiL. The resulting data combination of raw and bus data, meta-data as well as timing based information creates a perfect report sheet. With a secure and stable HiL system, nothing can stop you.
Point 3: The perfect database
To enable an error-free start, it is important to prepare the technology correctly. For this purpose, the HiL system must already be tested before the sensor to be validated is available. In addition, one should prepare a so-called "golden recording" - a representative scene with all signals that are important to correctly re-inject common situations and thus can be optimally used for validation.
Point 4: The optimal inject hardware
A solution that fits both - compactly on the developer's desk and still brings so much flexibility and scalability to be able to immediately test a wide variety of applications with it - is particularly important. Both, size and computing power, should therefore be scalable in any case. The optimal inject hardware should be able to ensure synchronization of the individual devices, regardless of the operating system. Exact feeding of raw and bus data becomes easy. High-speed Ethernet as an interface to the replay or simulation computer not only enables use on standard or server computers, but also guarantees almost unlimited scalability.