Model-based Testing Using Real-time Adaptive Simulator

Using modeling and simulation users can apply realistic interactions with their synthetic environments representing real world. In this study the synthetic environment is a hardware railroad model representing a miniature replica of a full-size railroad system under study. The hardware model is tested by means of real-time adaptive software simulator consisting of two subsystems: the virtual railroad which mimics behavior of the hardware railroad model, and the controller which is used to synchronize and control the hardware and the virtual railroads. The controller has a built-in feature to forecast possible railroad hazard conditions and to avoid them by sending corrective commands to both railroads. Testing the model can be observed on the simulator screen and on the hardware railroad model. The simulator also features test-event history log allowing playing back the tests. (Received in April 2008, accepted in September 2008. This paper was with the author 3 months for 1 revision.)