Date: 05/11/2009

NI Expands HIL simulation platform for embedded control systems apps

NI has announced the expansion of its hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation platform with products to optimize embedded system validation. The NI HIL simulation products are suitable for aerospace, alternative energy, automotive and consumer electronics to government, industrial transportation, mechatronics, medical technology and semiconductor manufacturing.

To ensure that applications can easily scale and meet evolving requirements, the NI HIL simulation platform supports third-party hardware interfaces and integrates with C, C++, .NET and Python programming languages. In addition to integrating with the NI LabVIEW graphical system design environment, this platform works with other modeling environments such as MathWorks, Simulink software, ITI SimulationX, Maplesoft MapleSim, and Gamma Technologies GT-POWER.

The platform's software-defined instrumentation approach makes it possible for HIL applications created with NI products to scale from low-cost desktop validation systems to multiprocessor distributed simulators that provides a toolset for all HIL testing applications.

The platform delivers commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions that offer alternatives to complex configurations and bulky, inefficient simulation systems.

"We continually hear that engineers are struggling with traditional test systems to meet increasing product complexity and performance requirements within tight budgets and timelines," said Mike Santori, business and technology fellow at National Instruments. "These engineers need an HIL simulation platform that is highly productive out of the box but also open and flexible to adapt to fast-changing testing demands. The NI HIL simulation platform provides unprecedented openness and performance for HIL applications. The platform's highly flexible architecture helps engineers address a wide range of applications, from those in automotive and aerospace to new fields such as alternative energy and medical device development."

For more details visit www.ni.com