Vehicle Modeling, Simulation and Control Technology 

Today's vehicle engineering problems and product development cycles place an increasing emphasis on reduced cost and time to market. With more than half a century of  experience in the automotive industry, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is strategically placed to offer extensive expertise in vehicle modeling, simulation, and controls. Institute automotive engineers focus on software and hardware approaches to vehicle research and development. Scope and activities include the following:

• Fuel economy, performance, and emissions simulation
• Systems analysis
• Control systems development
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) evaluation of powertrain components 
• Reliability assessments
• Hybrid electric and hydraulic vehicle development
• Prototype development
• Component design and testing
• Fuel cell integration and testing
• Vehicle integration, testing, and evaluation
• Engine accessory control development
• Automated manual transmission control development

SwRI's automotive staff emphasize the economic benefits of mathematically based and laboratory-based development, while helping clients minimize dependence on road-based testing. Simulations are performed primarily in the widely recognized MATLAB®/Simulink® programs, with exceptions for specific client needs.

For real-time applications, SwRI engineers have extensive experience with:

• Real-time operating systems using compiled Simulink models (QNX®, OPAL-RT, dSPACE)
• Digital signal processing to communicate with physical hardware device I/O signal streams

The SwRI-developed RAPTOR(r) uses vehicle and component models in MATLAB®/Simulink® to simulate vehicles ranging from automobiles to heavy trucks. Simulation results help Institute engineers design better vehicle powertrain systems.

Modeling and Simulation Using Raptor® Powertrain Program

The Institute's R&D 100 award-winning software is used to model and simulate powertrains incorporating gasoline and diesel engines and employing manual, automatic, and continuously variable transmission technology. This program was developed to offer the following services: 

• Provide load histories for component design activities
• Determine heat rejection requirements of powertrain components
• Support reliability studies through its link to SwRI's probabilistic reliability assessment program NESSUS®

The RAPTOR software has proven to be useful in developing component and system controls in simulation and test cell environments.

Control Systems Development

With an in-depth understanding of hardware and real-time control, SwRI engineers are experienced in:

• Development of realistic models for optimization of control algorithms
• Control schemes for specific vehicle components and powertrains
• Government and commercial applications
• Transmission shift quality evaluation and autocalibration

SwRI engineers demonstrate real-time RAPTOR application to engine HIL testing.

Hardware-in-the-Loop System Development

An emerging discipline is the melding of software engineering and controls with live hardware under test conditions. Institute development efforts include:

• Virtual vehicle transmission test stand, an award-winning, full hardware-in-the-loop research station for transmission evaluations
• Engine HIL test system to evaluate engine performance, efficiency, and emissions while supporting engine calibration processes

Selected SwRI Publications 

• "Roadmap for Hybridization of Military Tactical Vehicle:  How Can We Get There?" SAE Paper 2202-01-3048, 2002.
• "A New Approach to Improving Fuel Economy and  Performance Prediction Through Coupled Thermal  Systems Simulation," SAE Paper 2202-01-1208, 2002.
• "Modeling, Simulation, and Hardware-in-the-Loop  Transmission Test System Software Development," SAE  Paper 2203-01-0673, 2003.
• "Vehicle HIL--The Near-Term Solution for  Optimizing Engine and Transmission Development," SAE  Paper 2205-01-1050, 2005.

This brochure was published in January 2006. For more information about vehicle modeling, simulation and control technology, contact Bruce Bykowski, Phone (210) 522-2937, Fax (210) 522-3950., Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.

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