Intelligent Driving HIL
Real-vehicle testing struggles to cover all operating conditions and is costly and slow. ZD provides XIL testing solutions spanning SIL / HIL / DIL / VIL levels, and together with scenario and test case libraries moves intelligent driving verification forward into the laboratory.
Challenges Customers Face
The problem simulation testing solves is very specific: making the scenarios that need verification run in a stable, repeatable way.
Real-vehicle testing cannot cover long-tail scenarios
Dangerous scenarios, extreme weather and low-probability traffic events cannot and should not be reproduced repeatedly on a real vehicle, yet these are exactly where intelligent driving functions fail most often.
Development outpaces verification
Perception and planning-control algorithms iterate frequently, and every iteration needs regression verification. Relying entirely on real vehicles ties the verification cycle to vehicle availability and track scheduling, turning it into a project bottleneck.
High tool chain adaptation cost
Simulation software and real-time systems combine in many ways, and VTD, CarSim, SCANeR Studio, CarMaker, 51-simone, Pilot-D, dSPACE and NI-RT each have different interfaces; adapting them one by one consumes a great deal of engineering resource.
XIL Levels and System Composition
From pure-software algorithm verification to whole-vehicle in-the-loop, ZD builds verification environments at four levels, all sharing the same set of scenario and test case assets.
Four Levels, One Set of Assets
SIL - Software in the Loop: the algorithm model runs in a pure software environment, used for rapid early-stage algorithm prototyping and function exploration.
HIL - Hardware in the Loop: real controllers connect to the real-time system, which simulates vehicle dynamics and sensor signals to verify controller behaviour under closed-loop conditions.
DIL - Driver in the Loop: introduces a driving simulator and real drivers for verification related to human-machine interaction and subjective experience.
VIL - Vehicle in the Loop: connects real vehicle actuators such as brakes and steering to the bench to verify whole-vehicle-level function performance.
Scenarios, test cases and modules under test are reused across the four levels, avoiding the need to rebuild test assets at each level.
Composition of the Simulation System
ZD's simulation test system deployment service includes: tool chain matching, system interface model development, data flow design and data processing, development of various sensor and actuator simulation models, hardware bench setup, electrical system commissioning, third-party hardware matching and commissioning, and open-loop and closed-loop system commissioning.
Vehicle dynamics simulation, whole-vehicle communication simulation, and physical-level and object-level sensor data simulation and data injection all fall within the scope, and can be adapted to the customer's chosen simulation software.
Core Capabilities
Scenario Design and Test Case Development
Drawing on a library of 2,000+ scenarios and 7,000+ test cases, scenarios and cases are designed according to the customer's product functions and FuSa / SOTIF acceptance requirements, supporting ADAS, AD Driving and Parking functions.
Sensor Simulation and Data Injection
Supports physical-level and object-level sensor data simulation, covering sensor models for cameras, millimetre-wave radar and LiDAR, and can inject simulation data into real controllers.
Whole-Vehicle Communication Simulation
Reproduces whole-vehicle communication behaviour in a simulation environment, with ZD Box series simulation interface devices and the ZD Signal Generator providing bus signal excitation and fault injection.
Fault Injection Testing
Injects fault scenarios such as sensor failure, communication interruption and signal anomalies to verify the algorithm's degradation strategy and safety response under abnormal input.
Automated Test Deployment
Responding to customer needs for automated test deployment, we deliver automated test scripts supporting batch regression during algorithm iteration.
Equipment and Site Delivery
Full-cabinet HIL simulation test platforms and mobile test benches can be provided per project, supporting multiple deployment forms from laboratory to whole vehicle.
Solution Composition
The simulation system is composed of a software tool chain, a real-time system with in-house interface devices, and bench hardware.
Scenario Library Enables a Fast Start
ZD has built up a scenario library covering urban roads, highways and parking lots, along with a corresponding test case library. Projects can reuse these existing assets from day one, then tailor and extend them according to the customer's vehicle model and function definitions.
Test cases are organized by ADAS / AD function category, covering product function verification and FuSa / SOTIF-related acceptance test requirements, and support batch regression during algorithm iteration.
Solution Scope
Customers can choose single-level verification per project stage, or entrust the entire chain.
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| Item | Content | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported tool chains | VTD, CarSim, SCANeR Studio, CarMaker, 51-simone, Pilot-D, dSPACE, NI-RT and more | |
| Simulation scope | Whole-vehicle communication simulation, vehicle dynamics simulation, and physical-level / object-level sensor data simulation and data injection | |
| Levels covered | SIL software in the loop, HIL hardware in the loop, DIL driver in the loop, VIL vehicle in the loop | |
| Test types | Product function testing, algorithm iteration testing, acceptance testing, fault injection testing | |
| Scenarios and test cases | 2,000+ scenario library, 7,000+ test case library, customizable per project | |
| Deployment forms | Full-cabinet HIL test platform, mobile test bench, retrofit of the customer's existing bench | |
Delivery Process and Deliverables
Requirements and Selection
Clarify the verification target, function list and simulation software selection, and determine the level combination.
Environment Setup
Complete tool chain matching, interface model development and data flow design.
Model Development
Develop sensor and actuator simulation models, and complete bench setup and electrical commissioning.
Test Cases and Execution
Develop test scenarios and cases, and run open-loop and closed-loop tests plus fault injection.
Issue Closure
Output test reports and issue lists, track fixes and carry out regression verification.
- Simulation test plan: level combination, tool chain selection and system architecture
- Scenario and test case library: scenarios and test cases delivered according to customer function definitions
- Simulation models: sensor, actuator and interface models plus documentation
- Test scripts: automated test scripts and operating instructions
- Test report: staged reports and issue lists
- Training and support: training on using the simulation system's hardware and software, with technical support during the maintenance period
Our Strengths
01Covering All Levels, Not Just a Single Point
ZD's simulation capability covers all four levels - SIL, HIL, DIL and VIL - so the path from algorithm prototype to whole-vehicle function can proceed consistently on a single set of assets.
02Ample Scenario and Test Case Reserve
The team has built up a library of 2,000+ scenarios and 7,000+ test cases, so projects do not have to build test assets from scratch.
03Rich Tool Chain Adaptation Experience
We have adapted to several mainstream simulation software packages and real-time systems, can work with the customer's existing tool chain combination, and reduce repeated selection and adaptation costs.
04In-House Hardware for Simulation
In-house interface and excitation devices such as ZD Box, ZD CAN and ZD Signal Generator work directly with the simulation system, giving more reliable timing control between hardware and models.
FAQ
Can simulation testing replace real-vehicle testing?
Can our existing simulation software be integrated?
Should we build the HIL bench ourselves or entrust it to you?
Is the scenario library generic or does it need to be developed from scratch?
Need to evaluate a simulation test solution?
Tell us the verification target, functional scope and existing tool chain, and we can recommend a level combination and bench configuration.