System and apparatus for managing test procedures within a hardware-in-the-loop simulation system

A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor that is in operable communication with a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation environment, cause the processor to perform the following steps:

• generating a test sequence comprising a plurality of test procedure references and a plurality of test commands, wherein:
• each test procedure reference corresponds to a test procedure comprising instructions for performing at least one test within the HIL simulation environment by issuing commands to, and receiving data from, the HIL simulation environment;
• and
• each test command is associated with a predetermined operation;
• and
• sequentially executing each referenced test procedure and each command within the test sequence in cooperation with the HIL simulation environment.

A system for automating the performance of a plurality of test procedures, the system comprising:

• a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation environment that comprises an HIL simulator and an electronic system under test;
• and
• a host electronic device in operable communication with the HIL simulation environment and comprising:
• an input interface for receiving input from a user;
• and
• a processor coupled to the input interface and configured to:
• generate a test sequence comprising a plurality of test procedure references and test commands based on input from the user, wherein each test procedure reference corresponds to a test procedure comprising instructions for issuing commands to, and receiving data from, the HIL simulation environment and each test command is associated with a predetermined operation;
• and
• sequentially execute each referenced test procedure and each test command within the test sequence in cooperation with the HIL simulation environment, upon receiving a command from the user.