Testing/Simulation

Vehicle manufacturers are constantly faced with the challenge of balancing fuel efficiency and safety against the demands for greater performance. This, along with the growing need for reducing design and prototyping costs, has led to the implementation of many innovations; not only in features of the vehicle components, but also in the design and development process of those features. The demand for better understanding of the dynamics – and the ability to produce high-fidelity mathematical models of vehicular systems that can be used in HIL systems to test prototype controllers - has reached a critical point for many companies.

Although capacitive discharge (CD) system is the easiest way to generate a transient, this method has several drawbacks. The issue only becomes more of a challenge as technology changes and industry standards do not exist. In this case, a CD transient system becomes nearly useless unless an existing standard based on the older technology is used. AR's TG6xxx series of vehicle transient generators are amplifier systems producing transient pulses by inputting a small amplitude signal at correct waveform into the amplifier using the amplifier gain to generate the high amplitude & potentially high energy pulse. This note discusses the benefits of amplifier generators and compares to CD systems.

Technical information on AR's innovative test systems for conductive immunity and automotive transient generator testing. The brochure includes AR's CI (conducted immunity) systems, self-contained, all-in-one test systems, and the TGAR systems for automotive transient generator testing. The CI Systems are designed to make RF conducted immunity testing easier and more efficient by simplifying the entire process - calibrating, testing, DUT troubleshooting and reporting. TGAR systems are advanced automotive transient generator test systems that easily adapt to the diverse and ever-changing specifications in the automotive market.

As standards for safety and comfort rise, so does the complexity of electronic systems. Many manufacturers and suppliers have realized that standardized development systems speed up and improve the hand-off between individual development phases. dSPACE, a global supplier of embedded controls development solutions, offers a complete, integrated tool chain for all development stages – from model-based rapid control prototyping to automatic code generation to simulated controller testing. The advantages of an integrated tool set are threefold: considerable savings in time and cost, greatly enhanced software quality, and efficient interaction between manufacturer and supplier.

MAHLE Test Systems offers tools and technical expertise for testing vehicle and powertrain electronics for all stages of the vehicle lifecycle – from Product Development to Production to Service and Aftermarket. We are a trusted supplier in the development of new testing solutions for various OEM applications, ranging throughout the product lifecycle. We have helped our customers achieve “best in class” build quality, while supporting increasingly complex testing requirements at the vehicle plants. Our services are backed by over 27 years of powertrain and automotive testing knowledge.

uPrint is the first truly personal 3D printer that can radiclly change the way you make 3D models for visualization, collaboration, and functional testing. With a footprint of just 635 x 660 mm (25x26 in.), uPrint puts 3D printing right on your desk. Made by Dimension, the leader in 3D printing, uPrint gives you advantages you won't find in other 3D printers. uPrint is : Compact enough to fit on or desk--simple enough for a no hassle setup and operation--Affordable enough for most users --whether you are a large company or single designer.

Maplesoft is a leader in mathematical tools for modeling and simulation. Its newest product MapleSim has caught the attention of many engineers who see its potential to reduce model development time and accelerate hardware-in-the-loop simulations. Dr. Tom Lee, Chief Evangelist with Maplesoft, offers an inside look at MapleSim and also comments on major trends in modeling and simulation.