FPGA-based hardware-in-the-loop for multi-domain simulation

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new approach for complex system design, which allows rapid, efficient and low-cost prototyping. This approach can simplify designing tasks and go faster from system modeling to effective hardware implementation. Designing multi-domain systems requires different engineering competences and several tools, our approach gives a unique design environment, based on the use of VHDL-AMS modeling language and FPGA device within the same design tool. This approach is intended to enhance hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) practices with a more realistic simulation which improve the verification process in the system design flow. This paper describes the implementation of a software/hardware platform as a practical support for our approach, the feasibility and the benefits of this approach are demonstrated through a practical case study for power converter control. The obtained results show that the developed method achieves significant speed-up compared with conventional simulation, with a minimum used resources and minimum latency.