Signal Processing for Shift Feel Simulation on the Ford Vehicle Vibration Simulator

Subjective assessment of shift feel for automatic transmissions is facilitated by simulation on the Ford Vehicle Vibration Simulator, allowing application of advanced psycho-physical methods. Large accelerations present in data in addition to the shift event may generate displacements too large to simulate. Isolation of the shift signal in time and frequency poses unique challenges due to the very low frequencies (VLF) involved. A method involving filtering, windowing, and filtering again solves this problem. The isolation of the 1-2 shift from a wide-open-throttle runup is illustrated. The method is applicable in general to separating VLF signals in time and frequency.