dSPACE Introduces New SystemDesk Product, AUTOSAR-Compliant Production Code Software, Real-Time Image Processing and More

DETROIT – Breakthrough developments in control solutions for embedded electronics and mechatronics are being demonstrated by dSPACE, a German-based high-tech company with its North American headquarters in Novi, Mich., at SAE 2007 World Congress, April 16-19, at Cobo Center, Detroit.

dSPACE offers a complete tool chain of products to enhance development, testing and validation of real-time embedded controllers.  dSPACE tools support model-based control design, rapid control prototyping, automatic code generation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation and controller calibration.

At exhibit booth #2001, dSPACE will demonstrate the latest in embedded control development and testing technologies. Highlights include:

• SystemDesk – dSPACE recently unveiled SystemDesk, an architecture tool for the model-based development process that starts at the system level. By working with SystemDesk, developers can speed up the planning, implementation, and integration of their complex system architectures and distributed software systems. SystemDesk also supports teamwork on process-oriented development, and allows OEMs and suppliers to share system models and maintain them jointly.  SystemDesk also integrates comprehensive AUTOSAR support, so users can design AUTOSAR-compliant software from the system level down to individual subsystems, linking the architecture designs to Simulink® and TargetLink® models for seamless workflow in a model-based process.
  
• MeetAUTOSAR Compliancy with TargetLink® 2.2 – dSPACE’s newest version of TargetLink®  features powerful new components that convert model-based control systems directly into AUTOSAR-compliant production code.  AUTOSAR has emerged as one of the most important initiatives in the automotive embedded software arena, offering OEMs and Suppliers standardized methods to manage complexity, scalability, integration, and distribution of control functions among the numerous Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that are in vehicles.  TargetLink version 2.2 provides extensive support for modeling, simulating and generating code for AUTOSAR software components.  TargetLink generates production C code straight from MATLAB® / Simulink® / Stateflow® models.  This industry-leading product has been on the road in mass-produced vehicles worldwide since 2000.  More than 50 vehicle models currently have TargetLink inside.  Thirty five automotive OEMs and more than 75 suppliers – including eight of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers and 25 tier ones – use TargetLink.
  
  dSPACE Adds Real-Time Image Processing to HIL Simulation Capabiltiy – dSPACE has integrated the capability of camera-based, real-time image processing with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation technology – resulting in a complete solution for vehicle electronics integration testing.  User interface and feedback through the instrument cluster and other devices in the passenger compartment are another measure of functionality and customer satisfaction for today’s vehicles.

  At the dSPACE booth, this technology is demonstrated for instrument cluster testing. The demo system includes a 2006 General Motors Cadillac STS instrument cluster, integration of a Cognex® high-resolution camera with an image processing DSP (Insight 5603) and a dSPACE hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system. The key features of the vision system include comprehensive image recognition and processing capability such as character recognition for LCD display, gauge needle position detection, indicator lamps detection etc.

  The HIL system provides the capability to interface with the instrument cluster via single wire GMLAN communication to set test points, capture image data from the camera interface and run automated test sequences. The test automation is achieved by the dSPACE’s versatile test automation solution, AutomationDesk.

• Virtual Vehicle with Automotive Simulation Models (ASM) – A critical aspect of validating the ever-growing networks of automotive control systems is ensuring that all electronic control units (ECUs) in the vehicle function, as specified, in real-time.   dSPACE supplies off-the-shelf and turn-key systems that simulate all physical components of the vehicle – including engine, transmission, and vehicle dynamics – while connected to actual ECUs.  dSPACE has recently expanded this simulation offering with Automotive Simulation Models (ASM), complete and configurable Simulink® real-time models for both gasoline and diesel Powertrains, as well as for vehicle dynamics.  These models can be used in single-ECU tests, or in virtual vehicle simulation configurations, as will be displayed at the dSPACE booth.  ASM provides the automotive community with high quality, real-time models that are completely open, allowing the user to fully adapt the model to suit any specific application.  This open adaptability is a first compared to competing products.  dSPACE has made significant advances in the ASM offering since the last SAE, and will be demonstrating these new features.
• Rapid Prototyping:  Intelligent I/O Handling, Conditioning and Power Stage – This demo showcases advanced engine control management utilizing a stand-alone, model- based rapid prototyping tool.  A Micro-AutoBox unit is utilized for algorithm implementation and a RapidPro Intelligent I/O Unit for controlling fuel scheduling and spark timing in the engine-angle domain.  In addition, this demo will exhibit conventional time-based control of positioning devices – such as electronic throttles and general sensor interfaces to thermal and accelerometer sensors.  The demo is an example of dSPACE rapid control prototyping including modular signal conditioning for sensors and power drivers for actuators.

• Rapid Prototyping and HIL Simulation with FlexRay – dSPACE has been a provider of real-time FlexRay solutions for use in prototyping and testing control systems since the emergence of this communication protocol for safety-critical and other X-by-Wire systems.  dSPACE has now enhanced it’s FlexRay offering to provide the dSPACE FlexRay Configuration Tool, an all-new FlexRay RTI Blockset for Simulink, and the DS4340 and DS4505 FlexRay hardware products.  The configuration tool imports the industry-standard FIBEX file, provides the user the ability to configure signals, frames, and tasks for simulation, and auto-generates code to configure the dSPACE FlexRay Simulink blocks and hardware.  The DS4340 and DS4505 hardware products have further enhanced the performance and features of FlexRay interfaces in the dSPACE real-time platforms.

• CalDesk – dSPACE will demonstrate how calibration, rapid prototyping and measurement tasks can be performed in minimal time with maximum convenience with CalDesk.  CalDesk is a calibration tool for production vehicle programs, with optimized capabilities and features for handling the most demanding applications, typically engine and transmission calibration projects.  CalDesk makes it easy to calibrate multiple ECUs simultaneously, work with a variety of hardware measurement devices, and provides a comprehensive set of features optimized for the complex tasks encountered in real production calibration projects.    dSPACE has now added Diagnostic support in CalDesk, based on the ASAM ODX standard, and will be demonstrating this at the booth.  The seamless integration of rapid prototyping hardware in this tool allows for simultaneous model-based algorithm bypass, measurement and calibration.  dSPACE will demonstrate the methods to connect CalDesk to ECUs, be it through solutions like VertiCal for Freescale microprocessors, CAN, or standardized serial interfaces like Nexus and AUD.  Custom files and tools can be easily integrated into this system, with full support for ASAM interfaces and standards.  One such ASAM interface on display will be the integration of CalDesk with the dSPACE HIL test automation tool, AutomationDesk, for the purpose of flashing ECUs during HIL testing, as well as measuring internal ECU variables, making calibration changes, and performing diagnostic checks.

Founded in 1988, dSPACE has its headquarters in Paderborn, Germany, and engineering project centers in Munich and Stuttgart, Germany. In addition to its Novi, Mich., subsidiary, the company has subsidiaries in France, Japan and the United Kingdom and distributors worldwide.  Today, more than 13,000 dSPACE systems are in use worldwide, serving customers in the automotive, aerospace, agricultural, educational, engineering, robotics and noise & vibration industries.

  More information is available on the Internet at www.dspaceinc.com.