HW in-the-Loop Simulation of a Light Aircraft Autopilot

HIL simulations, light aircraft, embedded systems, ground testing, simulation framework, computer simulation

Hardware in the loop simulations are undisputably perceived as an integral part of the avionics design and development process. This paper describes the simulation process which has been employed to test a digital autopilot for a light sport aircraft. Simulation processes have been performed on two different ground testing levels. The first setting consisted of a laboratory grade verification phase which supported the initial functional estimate of the designed and implemented autopilot features. The subsequent testing level already included the embedded autopilot system installation on board of the test aircraft. The initial hardware in the loop simulation was performed at the light aircraft simulation lab SimStar at the Brno University of Technology. The aim of the ground simulations was to verify and ground test the operational suitability of the designed autopilot flight control system elements. The implemented flight control system hardware units have been connected into the simulation network using the CANaerospace communication protocol for both testing scenarios. Simulations focused on the real time automatic flight modes operational scenarios. Both of the simulation scenarios confirmed the anticipated performance of the autopilot design features.