Main Content

Build Conventional Vehicle Model

The conventional vehicle reference application represents a full vehicle model with an internal combustion engine, transmission, and associated powertrain control algorithms. Use the reference application for powertrain matching analysis and component selection, control and diagnostic algorithm design, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. To create and open a working copy of the conventional vehicle reference application project, enter

Conventional vehicle reference application model.

By default, the conventional vehicle reference application is configured with these powertrain subsystems:

  • 1.5–L spark-ignition (SI) dynamic engine

  • 8-speed dual Clutch transmission (DCT)

  • Transmission control module (TCM)

Note

The Virtual Vehicle Composer configures the conventional vehicle reference application. If you want to the change the configuration, use the Virtual Vehicle Composer to specify a different powertrain and vehicle.

This table describes the blocks and subsystems in the reference application.

Reference Application ElementDescription

Analyze Power and Energy

Double-click Analyze Power and Energy to open a live script. Run the script to evaluate and report power and energy consumption at the component- and system-level. For more information about the live script, see Analyze Power and Energy.

Scenarios

Implements the Drive Cycle Source block to generate a FTP75 (2474 seconds) drive cycle.

Environment

Creates environment variables, including road grade, wind velocity, and ambient temperature and pressure.

Driver Commands

Implements the Longitudinal Driver to generate normalized acceleration and braking commands.

Controllers

Implements a powertrain control module (PCM) containing a transmission control unit (TCU) and engine control unit (ECU).

Vehicle

Implements a passenger car that contains transmission drivetrain and engine plant model subsystems.

Visualization

Displays vehicle-level performance, fuel economy, and emission results that are useful for powertrain matching and component selection analysis.

Optimize Transmission Shift Maps

You can use the conventional vehicle reference application to optimize the transmission control module (TCM) shift schedules. Use the optimized shift schedules to:

  • Design control algorithms.

  • Assess the impact of powertrain changes, such as an engine or gear ratio, on performance, fuel economy, and emissions.

TCM shift schedule optimization requires Simulink® Design Optimization™, the Global Optimization Toolbox, and Stateflow®. To increase the performance of the optimization, consider also using the Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

To run the TCM shift schedule optimization, open a version of the conventional vehicle reference application that includes the option to optimize transmission shift maps by using this command:

Click Optimize Transmission Shift Maps. Optimizing the shift schedules can take time to run.

For more information, see Optimize Transmission Control Module Shift Schedules.

Evaluate and Report Power and Energy

Double-click Analyze Power and Energy to open a live script. Run the script to evaluate and report power and energy consumption at the component- and system-level.

The script provides:

  • An overall energy summary that you can export to an Excel® spreadsheet.

  • Engine plant and drivetrain efficiencies, including an engine plant histogram of time spent at the different engine efficiencies.

  • Data logging so that you can use the Simulation Data Inspector to analyze the powertrain efficiency and energy transfer signals.

For more information about the live script, see Analyze Power and Energy.

Controllers

This table provides the controllers implemented in the conventional vehicle reference application.

ControllerDescription
Engine Control Unit (ECU)

Implements the SI Controller block.

Transmission Control Unit (TCU)

Sets the transmission gear state according to the vehicle speed thresholds for gear shifting.

Brake Control Unit (BCU)

Open loop braking control.

Vehicle

The Virtual Vehicle Composer configures the conventional vehicle reference application vehicle subsystem. If you want to the change the configuration, use the Virtual Vehicle Composer to specify a different powertrain and vehicle.

The conventional vehicle has the characteristics provided in this table.

ElementDescription

Dual clutch transmission (DCT)

Implements the Ideal Fixed Gear Transmission block to configure an ideal fixed gear transmission without clutch or synchronization.

Wheels and Brakes

Implements the Longitudinal Wheel block with disc brakes to configure drivetrain for front wheel drive.

Vehicle Body

Implements the Vehicle Body 3DOF Longitudinal block to configure vehicle for 3 degrees-of-freedom.

Engine

Implements the Mapped SI Engine block with an implicit turbocharger.

See Also

| | |

Related Examples

More About