Modern Vehicle Systems Research Articles

Model-based development of an integrated vehicle dynamics control

The increasing number of vehicle dynamics control systems in modern vehicles requires a fully integrated concept, which considers the different controller functions and adjusts them with respect to each other. The model-based development and the verification of the global chassis controller of Magna Steyr is presented with reference to the combination of a torque vectoring differential and an active rear wheel steering system. The vehicle dynamics simulation program veDyna of Tesis Dynaware is used as virtual vehicle environment.

Intelligent AMR sensor systems

The acquisition of geometric quantities such as lengths, positions, angles and speed is an essential task of sensor systems in modern vehicles. To satisfy the high requirements in terms of robustness and reliability, mainly contactless sensor principles are employed. Here, optical, inductive and magnetic measuring methods compete with one another. Decisive for the use of a sensor type are its characteristics with regard to accuracy, flexibility, costs as well as its suitability for being integrated in a mechatronic system. The manifold configuration possibilities in the design of highly integrated sensor systems are introduced by ZMD, Dresden, Germany.

System verification throughout the development cycle

More and more complex software systems in modern vehicles require development processes being based on explicit software and system architecture models. If used in early phases of the process, errors and hazards can be identified when modelling new aspects of the overall system. This article will use the dSpace’s tool chain, including the company’s latest product SystemDesk, to outline possible implementations of these ideas.

A new power management for the electrical power net

Power management systems in modern vehicles are expected to guarantee the start ability without any losses of comfort and in addition to avoid premature battery failure by means of optimal operation of the battery. Furthermore power management can contribute to improved fuel consumption and thus reduce CO2-emissions. To make a trouble-free and economic integration into a vehicle possible, more importance is attached to an easy handling of the variety of versions and a free partitioning of the function modules. The proposed new power management approach, which was developed by the Robert Bosch GmbH in cooperation with the University of Kassel, tackles these aforementioned problems and presents a possible solution.

NEW INTEGRATED INLINE CONCEPT FOR VEHICLE TESTING AND ADJUSTING WITHIN THE AUTOMOTIVE SERIES PRODUCTION

In the foreseeable future the integration of more and more mechatronic systems, environment sensors and driver assistant systems in modern vehicles based on a singular CPU set-up philosophy will lead the common testing- and adjusting procedures to their limits or at least it will make them uneconomic or inefficient. This present paper will introduce a new highly economic fully integrated and fully automatic InLine concept for vehicle testing and adjusting which is able to cope with the needs of new vehicle concepts from today's common configuration up to a future fully integrated Drive-by-Wire vehicle architecture shown within the EU- Projects PEIT an SPARC.

FROM DRIVER MODELLING TO HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE PERSONALISATION

The model of Driver-Vehicle-Environment will be one of the essential elements in order to personalise the design of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) of ADAS/IVIS systems in modern vehicles. In this paper the fundamental correlations for developing such models are discussed in some detail.

Reducing voltage rating and cost of vehicle power systems with a new transient voltage suppression technology

Power electronics plays a critical role in modern vehicle systems. The voltage rating of vehicle power electronics is predominantly determined by the transient immunity requirement, which considerably exceeds the maximum operating voltages of the 14 V and 28 V vehicle power systems, and imposes a large cost penalty. In contrast, the emerging 42 V systems require a much improved bus voltage regulation to maintain system affordability. We discuss the feasibility of reducing the DC breakdown voltage requirement and subsequently the cost of various vehicle power systems by employing a new class of semiconductor transient voltage suppressors, termed MOSTVS. The MOSTVS, combining power MOSFET and polysilicon thin-film technologies, provides a much more accurately controlled clamping voltage than conventional Zener diodes and MOVs over a wide range of current and temperature. The MOSTVS can be used in the conventional alternator/rectifier/regulator configuration or the more advanced drivetrain motor/generator configuration. It is estimated that the cost of power semiconductor transistors and filter capacitors can be reduced by up to 70% if the voltage rating of the 14 V automotive system is reduced from 50 to 30 V. Similar benefits can also be achieved in the 28 V and 42 V systems.