This highly interactive seminar - featuring microcontroller hands-on lab projects - will help you learn fundamental concepts needed to design, implement, and calibrate control functions for an embedded microcontroller system. Overviews of engine, transmission, hybrid control functions and related sensors and actuators including electronic control signals will be presented, as well as microcontroller functions, control algorithms, software, diagnostics and calibration of the system. A focus on robust design for electronic / mechatronic systems is included as a separate topic.

The seminar introduces the system elements: control system architecture; control algorithms; sensors; actuators; wiring; electromagnetic compatibility; microcontroller; software; diagnostics and calibration, and shows how all elements are connected. The discussion will be based on engine, transmission, and electric drive propulsion system functionality. Participants will be involved in both a lecture format and a 'hands-on' lab to design, implement and calibrate lab exercises related to the topic under discussion using a microcontroller. This seminar applies to conventional and hybrid embedded control system design and implementation.

• List the major embedded control functions for an engine, transmission, electric drive and battery, and vehicle electronic interface
• Explain the use and function of the sensors/actuators and electrical signals used for a vehicular embedded control system
• Select the typical microcontroller architecture used for embedded control
• Describe the type of control algorithms used in embedded control functions and alternative choices
• Generate a sample calibration in the lab and apply it to a diagnostic function
• Explain the types of hybrid electric drives and the electronic controls
• Use a microcontroller to design and implement a simple control function and calibration
• Make a control function more robust during a hands-on lab using electronic hardware, software and calibration

Embedded controls are found in each major vehicle sub-system and the manufacturing system has robotics and autonomous assembly, making it essential for automotive engineers and leaders to have core knowledge of embedded systems. This course is designed for engineers and management who design, develop, service, or plan embedded control systems. This includes individuals working on elements of the embedded system who want to understand a mechatronics and systems view (architecture, software, algorithms, microcontroller, sensors/actuators, calibration).

• Engine, Transmission, Hybrid Electronic Control Functions
• Fuel control
• Ignition
• Aftertreatment
• Clutch control
• Torque converter control
• Electric drive: motor control and battery control
• Network control: vehicle, engine, transmission, electric drive
• Sensors and Actuators used for Engine, Transmission, and Hybrid Controls
• Actuators - injectors, pumps, solenoids, motors, battery
• Sensors - pressure, temperature, position, combustion, detonation, current with feedback, massflow, level, switches, torque, fuel composition, humidity, acceleration
• Communication - types of serial data; interactive with vehicle
• Electronic Control Signals for Sensors and Actuators
• Pwm, frequency, analog, pulse, complex combination
• Hands-on Lab
• Electromagnetic Compatibility and Wiring
• Control System Architecture and Setting Requirements
• PID Wheel Control with Hands-on Lab

• Microcontroller
• Typical elements
• Memory
• Timers and signal generation
• Timers and program flow (interactive)
• External interrupts
• Analog to digital conversion
• Input capture
• Serial communications
• Control Algorithms and Software
• Need for well defined requirements
• Types of control algorithms - feedback, adaptive, estimation, learning
• Software Design Based on Control System Architecture
• "V" development and test concept
• Derive software requirements for design and test
• Software partitioning for reuse and team design
• Autocode
• AutoSAR
• Hands-on software lab
• Diagnostics
• Calibration of the System
• What is calibration?
• Types of calibration in embedded systems
• Advanced calibration methods using robots and automation
• Virtual sensors for fail soft diagnostics and control
• Torque estimation
• Fuel composition
• Airflow
• Derived temperature
• Mechanical position (engine and throttle)
• Hands-on Diagnostic and Calibration Lab
• Robust Design using Signal Delivery Analysis including Hands-on Lab
• Robocar Instructor Demonstration (time permitting)