Developing and validating chassis and powertrain control systems—such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), cruise control, and adaptive cruise control (ACC)—is a complex and time-consuming process. These systems are critical for ensuring vehicle safety, comfort, and performance. However, traditional methods of development and calibration can be inefficient, especially when working with components from different suppliers, each at different stages of fidelity.
At Caliber Technologies, we have developed a virtual approach that significantly accelerates the development and calibration of these vehicle control functions, reducing program risks and improving overall vehicle performance. This approach integrates various vehicle control systems with a comprehensive vehicle dynamics model, enabling real-time testing and optimization without the need for ECU hardware or vehicle prototypes.
Virtual Approach to Control Systems Development
Our virtual development process provides several key benefits that streamline the development cycle:
- Closed-Loop Validation without Physical Hardware
By integrating control systems with a vehicle dynamics model, we can perform closed-loop validation of chassis and powertrain control functions. This means we can test and validate systems like ABS, ESC, and ACC in a simulated environment, eliminating the need for ECU hardware or a physical prototype. This not only accelerates development but also reduces the risk of design errors that might otherwise only be identified during physical testing. - Virtual Calibration for Optimized Performance
Calibration is a critical step in control systems development. Traditionally, calibration of multiple control systems is done individually, leading to sub-optimal vehicle performance. With our virtual approach, we can calibrate control systems holistically, optimizing a set of conflicting objectives. This ensures that the individual control functions—each optimized in isolation—are balanced to achieve optimal overall vehicle attributes (such as safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and handling). For example, we can ensure that ESC and ABS do not conflict with one another, and that the vehicle’s ride quality is balanced with dynamic performance. - Plug-and-Play Architecture for Multiple Suppliers
In the real world, control functions often come from various suppliers, each with different levels of development and fidelity. Our plug-and-play architecture supports the integration of these systems at various stages of development. This approach allows control functions from different suppliers to be easily integrated into the vehicle’s overall dynamics model, ensuring smooth collaboration and compatibility across the entire vehicle development process.
Key Benefits of Caliber Technologies’ Virtual Approach
- Reduced Development Time: By eliminating the need for physical prototypes in the early stages and allowing virtual calibration and validation, development time is significantly reduced.
- Lower Costs: The virtual approach helps reduce the need for expensive physical testing and prototypes, resulting in cost savings throughout the development cycle.
- Improved System Optimization: The ability to calibrate control systems in a holistic, integrated manner leads to better overall vehicle performance, rather than optimizing each system in isolation.
- Decreased Risk: Early identification and resolution of issues through virtual validation minimizes the risk of late-stage design changes and product recalls.
- Enhanced Collaboration: The flexible plug-and-play architecture allows suppliers to collaborate more effectively, regardless of their development stage.
Example Applications
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Using the virtual approach, we can test and calibrate ABS functions in a range of driving conditions (wet, dry, snow, etc.) without needing a physical prototype, ensuring it performs optimally before the vehicle is built.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): We can validate the ESC system’s ability to prevent skidding or loss of control by testing it in extreme conditions, integrating it with other vehicle dynamics like suspension and powertrain, and adjusting settings for optimal safety and performance.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): With the vehicle dynamics model, we can simulate various driving scenarios to test how ACC interacts with the vehicle’s braking and throttle systems, optimizing it for real-world conditions like traffic and road curves.
Conclusion
Caliber Technologies’ virtual approach to developing and calibrating vehicle dynamics control systems revolutionizes the automotive design process. By integrating vehicle control functions into a vehicle dynamics model, we can validate, test, and calibrate systems in a closed-loop environment, saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring optimal vehicle performance. Our plug-and-play architecture allows for seamless integration of systems from various suppliers, making it easier to develop cutting-edge, reliable vehicles.
Discover More with Caliber Technologies: To learn more about how our virtual development approach can streamline your automotive control system development, contact us now.
