Construction method and implementation of hardware-in-the-loop real-time dynamic simulation platform for airborne environment control system

In order to carry out the ground integration and flight simulation experiment of the environment control system (ECS) in unmanned aircraft, the hardware and software of the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time simulation platform based on VxWorks system was developed. In this paper, the structure and function of a HIL real-time and dynamic simulation platform based on distributed architecture for airborne ECS is presented, and main control software and related communication interface matching with the platform has also been independently developed. Then, the simulation platform can satisfy all sorts of simulation, and its effects are distinct, image and intuitive. The biggest innovation was the dynamic simulation for airborne ECS through main control software, and the simulation platform can achieve the co-simulation of large-scale systems with the network. When the co-simulation task is being performed, control instructions and external simulation data from the large system or remote control computer are transmitted into main control computer and two real-time simulation computers by Ethernet. After several simulation experiments, the results were analyzed and showed that the trend of simulation data was consistent with physical experimental data although partial data had a certain degree difference, and the error of platform simulation results was within the allowable range in the practical application. By using the simulation platform, simulation data can be comprehensively and intuitively displayed, the cost and period of development are largely decreased, and the airborne ECS gains excellent reliability and durability.