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Get Started with the Virtual Vehicle Composer

The Virtual Vehicle Composer app enables you to quickly configure and build a virtual vehicle that you can use for system-level performance testing and analysis, including component sizing, fuel economy, battery state of charge, drive cycle tracking, vehicle handling maneuvers, software integration testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. Use the app to enter your vehicle parameter data, build a virtual vehicle model, run test scenarios, and analyze the results.

The virtual vehicle model uses sets of blocks and reference application subsystems in Powertrain Blockset™, Vehicle Dynamics Blockset™, and Simscape™ add-ons. Virtual Vehicle Composer simplifies the task of configuring the architecture and entering parameter data.

Open the Virtual Vehicle Composer App

To open the app, do either of the following:

  • MATLAB® Toolstrip: On the Apps tab, under Automotive, click the Virtual Vehicle Composer app icon Virtual Vehicle Composer icon.

  • MATLAB command prompt: Enter virtualVehicleComposer.

Virtual Vehicle Composer Workflow

To build, operate, and analyze your virtual vehicle, use the Virtual Vehicle Composer app Composer tab options. To get started with an example, follow the workflow steps to build a four-wheeled electric vehicle (EV), test it with FTP–75 drive cycle, and analyze the results.

Step

Button

Description

1

Setup Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle data icon

Setup

Select New, then specify:

  • Project, folder, and model name

  • Powertrain architecture

  • Model template

  • Vehicle dynamics

2

Configure Virtual Vehicle Data

Virtual Vehicle data icon

Data and Calibration

Specify the chassis, tire, brake type, powertrain, and driver. For each selection, enter the vehicle parameter data.

3

Configure Virtual Vehicle Scenario and Test

Virtual Vehicle scenario icon

Scenario and Test

Select the virtual vehicle test scenario. Options include a drive cycle scenario for fuel economy and energy management analysis.

4

Configure Virtual Vehicle Data Logging

Virtual Vehicle data logging icon

Logging

Select the model signal data to log when operating your virtual vehicle. Options include vehicle position, velocity, and acceleration.

5

Build Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle build icon

Virtual Vehicle

Build your virtual vehicle. When you build, the Virtual Vehicle Composer creates a Simulink® model that contains the vehicle architecture and data that you specified in the configuration steps.

6

Operate Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle operate icon

Run Test Plan

Simulate your model in the scenario that you specified in step 2.

7

Analyze Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle analyze icon

Simulation Data Inspector

Use the Simulation Data Inspector to view and inspect the simulation signals.

See Also