HILS and SILS Integration for ECU Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current simulation methods for electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles lack flexibility and efficiency, requiring separate hardware in the loop simulation (HILS) and software in the loop simulation (SILS) environments, which prolongs verification time and limits effective control function verification at the vehicle system level.
Innovation Solution
A simulation device and method that interwork a HILS module using physical ECUs with SILS software using virtual ECUs, enabling flexible control function verification by configuring networks to replace physical ECUs with virtual ones, and controlling both modules to perform simulations based on user inputs and test scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate HILS and SILS environments are used for ECU simulation, then hardware testing can be performed with physical ECUs, but verification time increases and system-level control function verification becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines HILS and SILS environments into a unified simulation system where physical ECUs and virtual ECUs can coexist and interact through a communication interface. This integration allows simultaneous execution of hardware-based and software-based simulations, enabling comprehensive verification without sequential processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system is designed to handle multiple simulation types (HILS, SILS, and mixed modes) through a single unified platform. The controller can dynamically configure the simulation environment to include both physical and virtual ECUs, allowing the system to perform diverse verification tasks without requiring separate dedicated systems for each simulation type.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate HILS and SILS environments are used for ECU simulation, then dedicated hardware testing is possible, but verification environment establishment becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures communication interfaces and network settings to enable rapid deployment of simulation environments. Virtual ECUs are prepared in advance and can be dynamically instantiated, allowing the verification environment to be established quickly without manual configuration of each component during the verification process.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the controller, physical ECUs, and virtual ECUs, simplifying the establishment of verification environments. This mediator handles signal routing and data exchange, eliminating the need for complex point-to-point connections and reducing setup complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If only physical ECUs are used in HILS, then hardware accuracy is maintained, but flexibility in configuring test scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual ECUs serve as digital copies of physical ECUs, replicating their behavior and characteristics in software. These virtual models can be configured to match various ECU types and versions, providing flexibility in test scenario design while maintaining hardware accuracy when physical ECUs are involved. The virtual copies allow rapid prototyping and testing of different configurations without requiring additional physical hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hardware in the loop simulation (HILS) module comprising an electronic control unit (ECU), a storage configured to store software in the loop simulation (SILS) software comprising a virtual ECU, and a controller configured to control at least one of the HILS module or the SILS software to perform a simulation on a network comprising at least one of the ECU or the virtual ECU.