Educational HIL-Based Testing System for DC-DC Power Converter Control

This paper presents the design, development, and implementation of reliable and cost-effective testing equipment based on Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) for evaluating and validating DC-DC power converter control systems, focusing on educational applications. HIL simulation provides significant advantages over traditional simulation methods by enabling rapid and safe testing of converter topologies under conditions that closely resemble actual operation given good mathematical modeling of the physical system. This system supports the monitoring and control of power converters, making it highly suitable for enhancing practical learning and training in educational environments. Utilizing LabVIEW and CompactRIO hardware, the developed HIL test equipment is fully customizable to the parameters of various DC-DC circuits, facilitating the design process and providing a hands-on learning experience. The results demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed HIL system, offering a robust and accessible solution to the challenges of existing commercial and customized HIL approaches in academic settings.