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This paper describes the development of a compact and low cost millimeter wave doppler radar sensor (77 GHz band), which can measure the vehicle ground speed precisely. The sensor has three unique features: First, all the radio frequency components are integrated into a single chip, including a millimeter wave transceiver and an on-chip antenna. Then, the chip package is made of plastic resin without use of expensive ceramic. Finally, a tiny dome-shaped resin lens is attached to the chip to collimate waves. These technologies enable the sensor to measure 53 x 71 x 65 mm₃, to weigh 115 grams. Compared to a conventional optical measuring instrument, for example, the sensor weighs only about fifteenth and is one-fifth of the size, while the measurement accuracy is almost comparable. So this sensor seems to have a variety of potential applications. In this paper, we also considered the feasibility of some other applications than just measuring ground speed.

This paper describes a Virtual Validation Cloud (V₂Cloud), a new computation platform designed for extensive failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) of an automotive electronic control system. Recently, automotive developers have been requested to execute enormous amounts of system-level tests in order to assure functional safety of electric control systems. Moreover, the upcoming industry standard, ISO26262, demands that system-level validation assures extensive sets of test vectors and clarifies results of the tests as evidence of functional safety. It is unrealistic to execute these system-level tests by only using conventional hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS). Virtual HILS (VHILS), a system-level validation environment for automotive systems based on co-simulation of software and mechatronics, has already been proposed. Virtualizing an automotive electronic control system makes its testing environment more software-centric and independent of actual hardware.

This paper describes Virtual-Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation (VHILS), a new validation method for real-time control systems. HILS integrates multiple-technology domain simulators and uses no actual hardware components. Target software in binary code formats are executed with CoMET™, a virtual processor platform and physical layer signals are emulated with MATLAB®/Simulink®. Thus, VHILS can replace HILS, which is widely used for control software validation today. The VHILS was applied to the development of adaptive cruise control system (ACCS), and driver maneuvering, vehicle dynamics, microcontroller operation and CAN communication were modeled. The data exchange between multi-domain simulation and communication modeling were identified to be the primary causes of longer computational time.

This paper reviews the technological aspects and characteristics of optical fiber gyroscopes, and discusses their automotive applications. The optical system of an all-fiber gyroscope and the fiber optic components to build it are described. An optical phase modulation scheme to improve the sensitivity and the signal processing for the modulated output are discussed. The specifications of some packaged optical fiber gyroscopes are explained. An earth's rotation detection experiment is demonstrated to show the higher performance. The potential automotive related applications of the gyroscope are forecasted. One of the off-board uses of the sensor is the vibration measurements of a vehicle. When used onboard, the optical fiber gyroscopes will improve the navigation accuracy. A navigation result utilized the sensor with a map matching algorithm is reported. The gyroscopes may also be applied to future chassis controls.

This paper proposes a new development method for highly reliable real-time embedded control systems using a CPU model-based hardware/software co-simulation. We take an approach that allows the full simulation of the virtual mechanical control system including CPU and object code level software. In this paper, Renesas SH-2A microcontroller model was developed on CoMET™ platform from VaST Systems Technology. A ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) system and engine control system were chosen to prove this concept. The ETB (Electronic Throttle Body) model on Saber® simulator from Synopsys® or engine model on MATLAB®/Simulink® simulator from MathWorks can be simulated with the SH-2A model. To help the system design, debug and evaluation, we developed an integrated behavior analyzer, which can display CPU behavior graphically during the simulation without affecting the simulation result, such as task level CPU load, interrupt statistics, software variable transition chart, and so on.

A new hydrogen flow sensor was designed and evaluated based on the concept of hot wire anemometry. This sensor is designed to measure the mass flow rate of hydrogen gas used in (but not limited to) proton exchange fuel cell, PEFC. The conceptual evaluation was initiated by deriving an electro-thermal model of the hot wire required for sensing hydrogen velocity. The modeling is done via a mechatronics software tool, Saber™. This model was validated using air as a medium. Simulated and experimental performance results and safety issues are presented and discussed in this paper. Fail safe methods and effectiveness have been investigated along with hydrogen ignition temperatures with varying hydrogen to air ratio.

As the demand for more complex system development and the ever-increasing requirement for improvement in software productivity, the need for graphical programming or Zero-Hand Coding for automatic generation of controller software becomes highly desirable. The graphical programming must not be limited to the algorithm development which consists of the application modules but must be extended to the microcontroller platform, which include the middleware (i.e. operating system, I/O device drivers) and hardware. Automatic code generation is very important for programming the complex microcontroller internal parameters and registers. The combined software tool chain is to generate the final target specific executable code. This approach is very beneficial for system development, reduction of the development cycle and bridges the gap between control and software engineers reducing time, effort and cost of the production software.

The growing number of electronic components used in automobiles lately has given rise to problems concerning the increasing number, size and weight of the wiring harnesses. As one approach to resolving these problems, the authors proposed a multiplex method based on the direction of signal flow in 1988 (SAE880589). However, the need to reduce the number of wiring harnesses circuits further made it necessary to develop a more sophisticated system. This paper presents an on-board Class A local area network (LAN) system that overcomes the problems in conventional multiplexing systems through the use of a master-slave configuration, a polling selection method and a system that integrates of electronic circuits with switch modules.

Lightning strikes on automobiles are usually rare, though they can be fatal to occupants and hazardous to electronic control systems. Vehicles’ metal bodies are normally considered to be an effective shield against lightning. Modern body designs, however, often have wide window openings, and plastic body parts have become popular. Lightning can enter the cabin of vehicles through their radio antennas. In the near future, automobiles may be integrated into the electric power grid, which will cause issues related to the smart grid and the vehicle-to-grid concept. Even today, electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are charged at home or in parking lots. Such automobiles are no longer isolated from the power grid and thus are subject to electric surges caused by lightning strikes on the power grid.

The role of sensors and sensing technologies for the next generation vehicle systems are discussed. The control systems for engines and power-train are expected to realize high efficiency with low pollution and comfort drivability. Vehicular safety and chassis control systems are expected to avoid many kinds of traffic accidents caused by the human errors of drivers. Vehicular information systems will help the drivers to get the information to manage their vehicles economically and efficiency. In every system mentioned above, sensors and sensing technologies are playing an increasingly important role. This paper introduces and discusses essential technologies for sensors and sensing which can be expected to bring the solutions to the future automotive systems.

In the past few years, the demands for more complex system development and the ever-increasing requirement for hardware and software improvements have increased the need for a virtual embedded system where the hardware, microcontroller and software co-exist at the simulation level. This paper discusses the implementation of an approach that allows the full simulation of the embedded system. In the scope of this paper the definition of an embedded system refers to the electro-mechanical plant, the microcontroller, the peripherals and the software. The sensors and actuators are developed with a conservative type simulator such as Saber from Synopsys. The microcontroller and the attached peripherals are developed and modeled with the Comet environment from VaST. The microcontroller simulator is instruction cycle accurate. We are describing an innovative concept that will allow co-simulation between the two simulators.

In the past few years, the demand for more complex system development and the ever-increasing requirement for improvement in software productivity have amplified the need for graphical programming and automatic generation of controller software. This paper discusses the implementation of graphical code generation in the context of a fully automated calibratable system. Generally, controller parameters coarse tuning is done at the simulation level with a virtual plant and then fine-tuned when the code is downloaded onto the target controller. The tuning process is then based on trial and error approach relying on experienced calibrators to perform this tedious work. We are proposing an innovative concept that will automate the whole process of controller development. This process goes from the control algorithm code generation to the real-time calibration of the controller parameters on the actual target controller.

We have developed a full virtual engine system prototyping platform with 4-cylinder engine plant model, SH-2A CPU hardware model, and object code level software including OSEK OS. The virtual engine system prototyping platform can run simulation of an engine control system and digital knock detection system including 64-pt FFT computations that provide required high-resolution DSP capability for detection and control. To help the system design, debugging, and evaluation, the virtual system prototyping consists of behavior analyzer which can provide the visualization of useful CPU internal information for control algorithm tuning, RTOS optimization, and CPU architecture development. Thus the co-simulation enables time and cost saving at validation stage as validation can be performed at the design stage before production of actual components.