hardware-in-the-loop

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) is a testing method where real physical components, like parts of a machine or device, are connected to a computer simulation that mimics how the entire system would behave. This setup allows engineers to test and validate the hardware’s performance in a controlled environment without needing the full system built or running in real-world conditions. It’s like running a realistic rehearsal for a complex system, ensuring hardware works correctly and interacts properly with simulated software before deployment.