Virtually distributed hardware in the loop

Abstract

Conventionally, a new vehicle powertrain assembly and subsystem integration took place once all the prototypes of different subsystems were designed and physically available. Despite accurate test results, the process was both time-consuming and costly. Particularly, the early prototypes usually required modification and, occasionally, redesign. Hardware in the loop introduces integration between hardware and models, allowing for early-stage integration. Electric drive systems commonly use hardware-in-the-loop simulation to simulate controllers before physically connecting them to the associated subsystem. By enabling integration over the internet or other communication mediums, distributed hardware in the loop elevates the methodology, enabling the integration of subsystems from geographically dispersed locations. This thesis does a feasibility study on a distributed hardware-in-the-loop simulation for an electric machine drive system. It tries out different configurations to see if spreading the subsystems out is possible. Also, the study investigates the impact of network impairment on electric drive systems.