HIL Testing for Offshore Systems

We help you achieve the desired safety and reliability of your automation systems via verification and testing of control system software.

Software errors and system integration problems can quickly develop into non-productive time, equipment damage, incidents or accidents. Through our Control Systems and Cybernetics Advisory services and proven hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing processes, we support you with profound insights into the design and functionality of your control systems, and ensure transparency and dialogue between equipment manufacturers, yard, owner and charterer.

DNV is the pioneer in control system software testing in the maritime and offshore segment. Since 2002 DNV Control Systems and Cybernetics Advisory (before known as Marine Cybernetics Advisory) service line has been providing this service for a different variety of vessels and control systems, more than 500 control systems were tested using HIL technology, identifying more than 14.000 issues. We have worked with most manufacturers, yards and ship owners.

The test aims to detect software errors, design flaws, and to verify failure handling for a control system by using a simulator. The HIL simulator acts as a virtual world for the control system by simulating mathematically necessary actuators, dynamics and sensors – having the control system believing it’s operating the real system. In this way tests can easily be performed in a safe environment at the vendor’s facility at an early stage.

Control Systems and Cybernetics Advisory service line offers an extensive toolbox for control system software testing, including HIL testing for any type of control system, such as:

Dynamic Positioning
Power Management System
Steering, Propulsion and Thruster
Drillfloor (such as drawwork, topdrive, pipe racker, in addition to zone management and integrated functionalities)
Blowout preventer
Managed Pressure Drilling
Crane
Integration testing between different systems and vendors