In my new MoT article Agile hardware testing: enabling shift-left with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing." , I explore how hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing makes early system-level validation possible, even when the real-world environment is not yet available.
HIL setups simulate the physical and digital components around an embedded system, allowing testers to run exploratory and automated scenarios even when the final system environment isn’t yet ready. I also highlight how virtualized solutions, such as software-in-the-loop (SIL), can complement HIL to create a more scalable and agile testing strategy.
The article looks at how teams can combine realism with speed and efficiency by balancing HIL testing with virtualized solutions.
What you’ll learn:
- How HIL testing supports Agile workflows for embedded systems
- The role of simulation and virtualization in reducing bottlenecks
- Why mixing virtualized and hardware-based testing helps balance testing speed with resource constraints
- How open-source tools are making advanced HIL setups more accessible
After reading, I’d love to hear your thoughts:
- Have you used HIL or SIL in your embedded testing workflow? What was your biggest challenge?
- How do you decide what to test in HIL versus what can be handled elsewhere?
- Where do you see the biggest opportunities to shift embedded testing earlier in the cycle?