United Electronic Industries (UEI) delivers integrated hardware and simulation tools that support expedited verification and validation (V&V) workflows for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs).
Widely adopted across aerospace, defense, and robotics sectors, UEI’s systems facilitate model-based design (MBD), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and embedded system development.
As unmanned technologies continue advancing in complexity and capability, conventional development cycles face increasing pressure. The traditional V&V process, including testing, inspection, analysis, and demonstration, remains essential but can significantly delay deployment when applied late in the life cycle.
To address this, a combined approach using early-stage Design Validation and Verification with Model-Based Design is proving transformative. This integrated methodology shortens development timelines while enhancing system reliability and performance.
Design V&V in Unmanned System Development
Design Validation and Verification ensure systems fulfill both operational intent and technical specification.
Verification assesses whether the system was built correctly, confirming adherence to design requirements.
Validation evaluates whether the right system was built, confirming it meets user needs and mission objectives.
Traditionally, these assessments occur after prototype fabrication, often requiring multiple costly iterations. A shift-left approach, where V&V is conducted earlier using simulation, automation, and modular hardware, reduces risk and minimizes rework. This enables parallel development efforts and earlier error detection, streamlining the overall process.
Model-Based Design: From Concept to Code
Model-Based Design introduces efficiency by allowing development teams to simulate, analyze, and verify systems virtually before physical implementation. Key advantages include:
- System Simulation: Evaluate performance under varied conditions such as mission scenarios, weather, and sensor degradation.
- Continuous Verification: Automate testing throughout development, ensuring ongoing compliance.
- Code Generation: Translate tested algorithms directly into embedded code, reducing manual coding errors and accelerating implementation.
- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: Combine simulated environments with physical hardware to test real-time controller behavior.
For instance, UAV designers can simulate control logic, sensor fusion, and navigation systems in tools like MATLAB/Simulink, identifying potential integration issues early in the design process.
Synergizing V&V with MBD
Combining early V&V techniques with MBD offers substantial benefits:
- Rapid Iteration Cycles: Design modifications are quickly validated through simulations.
- Scalable Testing: Supports testing for complex systems, including multi-agent UAV operations.
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): Enables safe simulation of fault conditions.
- Streamlined Documentation: Automatically links requirements, models, and test results to support compliance with standards such as MIL-STD.
This synergy allows developers to build higher confidence into their systems, which is crucial for unmanned platforms operating in mission-critical environments.
UEI Solutions for Unmanned System Development
UEI provides the following capabilities to support V&V and MBD initiatives in UAV, UAS, and AGV applications:
- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL): Real-time simulation platforms enable embedded system testing with physical I/O.
- Flexible I/O Integration: Offers over 90 I/O modules supporting CAN, ARINC-429, MIL-STD-1553, analog, and digital signals.
- Embedded Systems Development: Controllers compatible with Linux, VxWorks, and real-time operating systems, with support for C/C++, Python, and Simulink.
- Avionics and Automotive Protocol Support: Ensures interoperability with aerospace and vehicular communication standards.
- System-Integration-Lab (SIL) Testing: Supports virtual test execution with tools such as LabVIEW, Simulink, or VISTAS (ED-247), and offers hardware for integrated fault insertion.
- Longevity and Support: Platforms feature 10-year availability guarantees and rugged construction for lifecycle stability.
Integrating UEI platforms into development workflows allows for faster test setup, early fault detection, and robust system-level validation without reliance on full-scale prototypes.
Conclusion
As demand increases for high-performance unmanned systems, accelerated V&V and virtual prototyping become critical. Leveraging early validation alongside Model-Based Design enables faster, safer deployment with reduced development overhead.
United Electronic Industries supports this approach with scalable, adaptable platforms that streamline simulation, integration, and embedded system testing. These tools support developers in addressing evolving technical and operational requirements in UAV, UAS, and AGV programs.
