A HiL test bench for verification and validation purposes of model-based developed applications using Simulink® and OPC DA technology

This paper deals with the development procedures of a HiL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) test bench for verification and validation purposes of embedded application software developed using MBD (Model Based Design) engineering methodology. The testing environment have been mainly developed for PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) applications using Matlab^®/Simulink^® as a simulation environment and the OPC DA (OLE for Process Control Data Access) specification as communication interface for data interchange with the OPC compliant (set as working condition) target hardware. The main focus of this work was to offer a tool or an instrument to end user or test engineer that helps testing auto-generated embedded software while running on target system and making decision and statements about correct functionality and performance with regard to main requirements in order to validate the intended mission of the application aimed to reach.