01965nas a2200145   4500008004100000050001500041245007800056210006900134260002500203520144600228100001301674700001801687700002401705856009001729       2005                        eng d  aLBNL-5580100aA Simulation-Based Testing and Training Environment for Building Controls0 aSimulationBased Testing and Training Environment for Building Co  aBoulder, COc08/20043 a<p>A hybrid simulation environment for controls testing and training is described. A real-time simulation of a building and HVAC system is coupled to a real building control system using a hardware interface. A prototype has been constructed and tested in which the dynamic performance of both the HVAC equipment and the building envelope is simulated using SPARK (Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel). A low cost hardware interface between the simulation and the real control system is implemented using plug-in analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog cards in a personal computer. The design and implementation of the hardware interface in SPARK are described. The development of a variant of this environment that uses a derivative of EnergyPlus to test the implementation of a natural ventilation control strategy in real control hardware is also described.</p><p>Various applications of the hybrid simulation environment are briefly described, including the development of control algorithms and strategies, control system product testing and the pre-commissioning of building control system installations. The application to the education and training of building operators and HVAC service technicians is discussed in more detail, including the development of a community college curriculum that includes the use of the hybrid simulation environment to teach both control system configuration and HVAC troubleshooting.</p>1 aXu, Peng1 aHaves, Philip1 aDeringer, Joseph, J  uhttps://simulationresearch.lbl.gov/publications/simulation-based-testing-and-training