A Co-Simulation Platform for Powertrain Controls Development

With the advancement of simulation software development, the efficiency of vehicle and powertrain controls research and development can be significantly improved. Traditionally, during the development of a new control algorithm, dyno or on-road testing is necessary to validate the algorithm. Physical testing is not only costly, but also time consuming. In this study, a virtual platform is developed to reduce the effort of testing. To improve the simulation accuracy, co-simulation of multiple software is suggested as each software specializes in certain area. The Platform includes Matlab Simulink, PTV Vissim, Tass Prescan and AVL Cruise. PTV Vissim is used to provide traffic environment to PreScan. PreScan is used for ego vehicle simulation and visualization. Traffic, signal and road network are synchronized in Vissim and PreScan. Powertrain system is simulated in Cruise. MATALB/Simulink serves as master of this co-simulation, and integrates the different software together. It also includes human driver model and a powertrain control function. An ADAS/V2X-ISG (Idle Stop and Go) powertrain control algorithm is implemented in Simulink and tested by using the platform under different real-world driving conditions. The study demonstrated that the virtual platform can be used for vehicle powertrain control algorithm simulation. Different powertrain control algorithms can be tested, validated and optimized under different traffic environment by utilizing the platform.