Credibility evaluation of hardware-in-the-loop simulation systems

Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation Systems (HILSS) provide effective platforms for the test of hardware and software. To guarantee the correct application of HILSS, comprehensive credibility evaluation should be implemented over the system development life cycle. The components and general structure of HILSS are discussed and the similarity types in HILSS are classified into time & logical similarity, geometry similarity, dynamic characteristic similarity and perceptual information similarity. Based on the previous formulation, the factor space construction approaches for simulation models, physical effect simulators, and test components are explained. Finally, a systematic credibility evaluation factor space of the HILSS for guidance and control simulation of flight vehicle is built. The study reveals that factor space provides an explicit path for the credibility evaluation of complicated simulation systems.