Electronic Control Units (ECUs) are critical for vehicle systems, including battery management in electric vehicles. Engineers use Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) to validate ECU performance without physical prototypes. This approach uses stimulus instrumentation to mimic sensors and measurement tools to verify control outputs under both normal and fault conditions.
Traditional manual patch panels for fault injection are being replaced by software-controlled PXI-based systems. Pickering Interfaces offers scalable fault insertion units (FIUs) that automate the process of simulating open or short circuits. This transition allows for precise, repeatable testing of safety-critical systems while avoiding the risks and costs of manual hardware manipulation.
Companies like Bloomy utilize the PXI standard to create Universal Test Systems (UTS). This modular approach enables the reuse of test assets from early prototyping through high-volume production, significantly reducing non-recurring engineering costs. The system supports various transducer types and can be scaled for high pin-count designs using matrix modules.
For sensitive applications, FIUs can be housed in separate LXI or USB chassis to minimize switching noise. Software drivers remain consistent regardless of the chassis type, ensuring integration efficiency. The system supports expansion in increments of 20 or 31 channels, allowing engineers to scale testing capabilities without rewriting existing code.
