Propulsion Control Governor Calibration for Speed Limiting of ECU Controlled SUV - A DOE Approach

Speed Limiting Devices (SLDs) are incorporated on commercial and taxi segment vehicles to enhance road safety of masses and vehicles as well. They are electronic as well as mechanical type. Electronic control is achieved by programming suitable parameters in an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). In the other case, the fuel pump is controlled mechanically or electrically [1]. In electronically controlled vehicles, Proportional-Integral (PI) control governor is calibrated in the vehicle ECU itself to attain the required vehicle set speed. Prior to Design of Experiments (DOE) exercises, 6 sets of vehicle trials were performed. Analysis of the DOE gave appropriate results and suitable validation concluded. The PI calibration was done in such a way that one set of control parameters are sufficient for a range of vehicle set speeds.

The advantage of DOE is two-fold. First, it gives a structured approach to the solution and thus serves as a reference for further such studies and similar problems. Second, it helps in reducing the time and effort required to arrive at a solution by as much as 70%.