Forward-Looking SiL-Based Fuel Consumption Simulation for Dual-Clutch Transmission Software Evaluation

Evaluating the impact of software changes on fuel consumption and emissions is a critical aspect of transmission development. To evaluate the trade-offs between performance improvements and potential negative effects on efficiency, a forward-looking Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) simulation has been developed. Unlike backward calculations that derive fuel consumption based solely on cycle speed and engine speed, this approach executes complete driving cycles as the Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC) within a detailed SiL environment. By considering all relevant influencing factors in a dynamic simulation, the method provides a more accurate assessment of fuel consumption and emission differences between two versions of the transmission software. The significant contribution of this work lies in the high-fidelity integration of a real virtual Transmission Control Unit (vTCU) software within a comprehensive, validated forward-looking SiL environment. This approach enables precise delta comparisons that capture transient dynamic interactions, facilitating early, reliable software testing and validation.