Automotive | Servotech Inc

Electric Vehicle

One of the largest and most impactful advancements in the automotive industry was the introduction of fully electric vehicles allowing vehicles to be emissions and noise free, propelling the field forward in many different ways.

Autonomous

Autonomous vehicles that are connected and fitted with an embedded communication system as well as sensors, allowing them to operate safely without a driver.

Connected

Connected services is a major attribute of all vehicles and is currently taking the world by storm turning vehicles into customizable devices. This bodes well for EVs as it would be easier to add more functions that are mainly run by electronics.

Performance

Due to the simpler electric motor design instead of an internal combustion engine, as well as the easier implementation of control and communication systems. EVs perform better and more efficiently.

Updated

With the growth of EVs instead of the 5-to-8-year gap it takes to advance technologies in this field significantly, EVs will be updated at a much faster rate allowing for the latest hardware and software developments to be implemented.

Evolving

It is no surprise that EVs are constantly evolving. Since their introduction barely a decade ago, they have been evolving at a startling rate and will continue to do so, as there is unlimited potential to improve and advance the technology.

Embedded control software runs on the ECU in real time and defines the logic between inputs and outputs to the outside world; that is the controlled machine, operator interface devices, other networked ECUs. The control algorithm is developed using Matlab/Simulink/Stateflow software tools, simulated off-line, then auto-code generated to C-code, compiled and flashed to the ECU, then calibrated, tuned, tested and validated on the ECU using software tools such as CANalyzer/CANape during HIL and actual machine testing stages.

EV powertrain control is one of the essential technologies in this market. EV is powered by electric batteries, and traction power is provided by an induction motor and amplifier called “inverter”. The inverter has the OEM specific induction motion control amplifier circuit as well as built-in microcontroller. The inverter mode is selected in software configuration via CAN bus messages, i.e., torque mode, speed mode. Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) reads the driver pedal and brake sensors and generates the desired command (torque command or speed command) to the inverter via CAN bus messages in real time. Embedded control software that runs on the VCU is therefore critical part of the EVs motion control. In addition to handling driver commands and in cabin information display system (driver related inputs and outputs), and commanding the inverter, the VCU also communicates with the battery management system (BMS) for energy management. The development process for the embedded control software involves MIL, HIL and on prototype EV testing.

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)

Consists of electronic control modules (ECMs) with specialized embedded control software that uses various sensor inputs (including vision, lidar, radar, and sonar) to electronically control steering, engine, transmission, and brake systems. The real-time ADAS software, which runs on the ECMs, is also supported by inter-vehicular communication between ECMs, as well as supervised by the computers on the internet-based local traffic monitoring systems and the computers on the real-time IT infrastructure.

Functions

Various driving functions are covered by this system including Advanced Cruise Control (CC) includes Adaptive CC, Cooperative Adaptive CC, Super CC, Blind-Spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Collision Prevention, Parking Assist, Drive Monitoring (Attention and Drowsiness), Night Driving Assist and Environment Recognition (Road Sign, Traffic lights, Pedestrians, Animals, Objects).