Test platform for electronic control units of high-performance safety-critical multi actuator systems

In this paper we are mostly concerned with the problem of testing electronic control units of synchronized electric power actuators. This task is particularly complex for safety critical applications, where it is crucial that the control system properly reacts in response to the faults, that are hard to reproduce and verify. A cost-effective flexible and reconfigurable test platform is proposed, discussing its architecture and implementation. The proposed system facilitates the phase of definition and development of the electronic control unit, allowing the interfacing towards both hydraulic and electromechanical actuators, and having a high flexibility as regards the I/O signals. Some results, obtained during the laboratory test activity, are also presented.