England based transmission and driveline specialist Drive System Design (DSD) has developed a control system library for drivetrain control that it claims addresses many of the challenges typically faced by OEMs and suppliers when developing new drivetrain architectures.
Called Infinite Control, it combines a flexible and adaptable control system solution for both conventional and xEV platforms with full knowledge transfer and program support services.
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“As powertrain architectures become increasingly complex and varied, Infinite Control enables suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to bring new concepts through development and onto the road with production-intent technology, quicker,” said DSD head of control systems, Pedro Zabala.
“Typically, our customers find that existing production software is inflexible and slow to modify and are faced with the possibility of delaying prototype programme timing.
“Adding complexity, despite being an initial functional concept, the business case usually requires a viable production route forward,” he added.
“Designed for ‘production intent’, the Infinite Control modules feature a production ready architecture compatible with functional safety standards and include advanced features such as adaptability to manufacturing tolerances, and management of complex shift strategies such as ‘change of minds’.”
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By GlobalDataDSD said Infinite Control can be delivered as a bespoke ‘white-box’ package, fully accessible to customers and supported by collaborative knowledge transfer to configure and operate customer systems successfully.
The modular architecture ensures all powertrain configurations can be catered for, whether a two-speed electric drive unit (EDU) or the most complex hybridised AT. Control systems are increasingly complex as the industry adopts electrification, as multi-speed EDUs often require AMT or DCT functionality.
Additionally, by including hybrid supervisory and low level eMotor control, Infinite Control enables all transmission types including AT and CVT to be hybridised in a P2 or P3 arrangement. The investment and knowledge gained in the development of these modules can be reused for other applications, such as BEVs.
“The new suite of control modules allows us to support a diverse range of customers, from established OEMs through to new industry entrants, who may currently lack the necessary software and control expertise and wish to develop their in-house capability,” said Zabala.
Though much of DSD’s customer work is, of necessity, confidential, the first public exposure of Infinite Control will be at the CTI Berlin Symposium in December. The company has built a functional development platform on a production Jaguar F-Pace AT vehicle which will be available for demonstration early in 2019.
The DSD engineering consultancy has worked with automakers and Tier 1 supliers worldwide.
