Developing Controller Software with RCP Systems

In-vehicle test systems for hybrid electric vehicles

Application Areas

  • Validating the overall control strategy
  • Integrating the controller functions into distributed ECU networks
  • Testing different control strategies

Key Points

  • Comprehensive I/O including CAN, CAN FD, LIN, K-Line/L-Line, FlexRay, Ethernet, and bypass interfaces
  • Easy access to all variables as well as I/O and bus signals of the real-time application during run time with ControlDesk
  • Fast iteration by implementing Simulink models automatically on the RCP hardware at the click of a button
  • Large set of easy-to-configure, comprehensive I/O functions

The control functions for an electric or hybrid electric powertrain are often spread across a distributed network of ECUs. To enable you to test these functions, MicroAutoBox III is available in different variants that support all major automotive bus systems like CAN, CAN FD, FlexRay, Ethernet, LIN, and K-/L-Line. 

The DS1553 AC Motor Control Module is an I/O piggyback module that is optimized for controlling various electric drives. It provides interfaces for Hall sensors, incremental encoders, resolvers, EnDat and SSI sensors, and can be installed in all variants of MicroAutoBox III containing a DS1514 board. 

Use Case 1: User-Specific FPGA Programming

The DS1553 provides I/O interfaces for the user-programmable FPGA of MicroAutoBox III. The XSG AC Motor Control Library enables the implementation of controller functionalities in both the CPU and the FPGA. With the board’s ready-to-use, configurable elements for

common electric drives control, you do not have to deal with complex signal preprocessing and can fully concentrate on developing new control algorithms.

Use Case 2: AC Motor Control Solution

The MicroAutoBox III AC Motor Control Solution uses the DS1553 module in conjunction with a dedicated FPGA firmware and provides a comprehensive and easy-to-use RTI blockset for controlling various electric drives. All modeling is performed on the processor via MATLAB/Simulink – no FPGA programming by the user is required.

Further I/O modules for the MicroAutoBox are the DS1552 Multi-I/O Module, which offers a wide range of powerful I/O, and the DS1554 Engine Control I/O Module for the advanced control of combustion engines.

After validating the new functions with the RCP platform, production code has to be generated. With TargetLink, you can generate C code directly from the graphical development environment of MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow®. TargetLink also provides native AUTOSAR support. Developers can specify AUTOSAR structure elements, such as runnables, ports, and communication interfaces, simply at model level. Hence, model-based designs are directly implemented in the form of AUTOSAR-compliant production code. 

Drive innovation forward. Always on the pulse of technology development.

Subscribe to our expert knowledge. Learn from our successful project examples. Keep up to date on simulation and validation. Subscribe to/manage dSPACE direct and aerospace & defense now.

Enable form call

At this point, an input form from Click Dimensions is integrated. This enables us to process your newsletter subscription. The form is currently hidden due to your privacy settings for our website.

External input form

By activating the input form, you consent to personal data being transmitted to Click Dimensions within the EU, in the USA, Canada or Australia. More on this in our privacy policy.