Hardware in the loop simulation combines a system to be tested with a software representation of the platform it will eventually be joined to.
These mathematical representations are referred to as the “plant simulation”. The embedded system to be tested interacts with this plant simulation.
For example, a HIL simulation platform for the development of automotive anti-lock braking systems may have mathematical representations for each of the following subsystems in the plant simulation:
Vehicle dynamics, such as suspension, wheels, tires, roll, pitch and yaw;
Dynamics of the brake system’s hydraulic components;
Road characteristics.
