SIL Kit

Open source · MIT

Build reliable distributed simulation.

SIL Kit is an open-source middleware for distributed simulation: bus-aware controllers, a deterministic time service, and a public C and C++ API. Free to use in commercial products. Jointly stewarded by Vector and Synopsys.

Install SIL Kit 204 starsLearn SIL Kit
Quick installv5.0.5
# Linux x86_64
$ tar -xzf sil-kit-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
$ ./sil-kit/bin/sil-kit-registry \
    --listen-uri silkit://0.0.0.0:8500 &

# In another terminal: connect a participant
$ ./sil-kit/bin/sil-kit-demo-can \
    --registry-uri silkit://localhost:8500
[demo-can] connected to registry, sending CAN frames…

Latest stable v5.0.5, released 22 May 2026. All platforms →

Open standards

MIT licence, public C and C++ API, no signing fees and no vendor gate-keeping.

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Deterministic by default

Virtual time, lock-step ticks, and bus-aware controllers — built so simulations stay reproducible.

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Joint stewardship

Maintained in the open by Vector and Synopsys, with a community of integrators, OEMs and academic users.

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Use cases

Build it on SIL Kit

Pick a workload to see how SIL Kit fits — virtual ECUs, HIL benches, AD/ADAS scenarios, co-simulation, CI integration, research.

Plug AUTOSAR-style ECUs into a deterministic, bus-aware cluster — replace proprietary middleware with one open backbone.

Used in production by

Helix OEM
Aurora Tier-1
Borealis Mobility
Vega Auto
Northwind Eng.
TU Munich

All production users →

Joint stewardship

A neutrally stewarded project

SIL Kit is jointly maintained by Vector Informatik and Synopsys. Day-to-day decisions are made by a small group of maintainers from both companies, plus invited community maintainers. Architectural decisions are debated in public via RFCs.

Read the charterMeet the teams

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    Contributors

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  • MIT

    Licence

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