Electrodynamic shaker HUD

Overview
STEP Lab electrodynamic Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test systems (HUD series) provide real-time integration between virtual vehicle models and physical controllers/ECUs. Designed for automotive validation, these high-dynamic test rigs support both full-vehicle 4-poster applications and component-level HIL testing to reproduce real road profiles and driving conditions.

Key capabilities

• Real-time linkage of virtual vehicle models with physical controllers, ECUs and software.
• Support for a wide variety of dynamic loads, frequencies and speed ranges.
• Low-latency communication and multi-protocol interface options (CAN, FlexRay, Ethernet, others).
• Connection to real-time target computers (STEP Lab or third-party solutions).
• Compatibility with third-party HIL platforms and hardware.
• Ability to test complete vehicles on 4-poster rigs using virtual tyres, wheels and body with real shock absorbers.
• Test Manager controller adaptable to different test sequences and automation needs.

Features

• Electrodynamic actuators and servomechanisms optimized for HIL dynamics.
• Deterministic real-time data exchange and logging.
• Multi-protocol support to interface with widespread automotive tools and ECUs.
• Modular architecture for integration with STEP Lab machines and third-party benches.
• Configurable measurement channels and online monitoring for test validation.

Strategic collaboration
STEP Lab maintains a strategic partnership with VI-grade to deliver pre-integrated HIL solutions for shock absorbers and suspension systems, including support for active and semi-active control strategies. The collaboration simplifies integration with AutoHawk and related tools.

Typical applications

• HIL testing of shock absorbers and suspension subsystems.
• Validation of active and semi-active suspension control strategies.
• Full-vehicle HIL validation using 4-poster rigs with virtualized subsystems.
• Integration testing between vehicle models, real ECUs and test-bench hardware.

Technical specifications (extract)

• Support for tests across a broad range of loads and dynamic conditions.
• Real-time interaction between virtual models and physical controllers/software.
• Support for multiple communication protocols and low-latency data paths.
• Connection to real-time target computers (STEP Lab or third-party).
• Compatibility with hardware such as AutoHawk (VI-Grade), dSPACE, Speedgoat (MathWorks), National Instruments.
• Capability for complete vehicle testing on 4-poster rigs (virtual tyres/wheels/body; real shock absorbers).
• Test Manager controller configurable for rapid, repeatable and traceable test execution.