Configurable automotive controller
View Patent ↗An engine control unit having a one-time integration of a model predictive control template via a potentially long software process. Changes to the control structure may subsequently be made via a calibration dataset connected to the engine control unit without incurring the potentially long and laborious software process of implementing the template of other approaches in the related art.
1. A configurable control system, comprising:
a control unit;
a generalized model predictive control template;
a calibration dataset;
wherein the generalized model predictive control template is configurable into a specific model predictive controller configuration by referencing the calibration dataset; and
wherein the control unit implements the specific model predictive controller configuration by referencing the generalized model predictive control template in conjunction with the calibration dataset.
2. The configurable controller of claim 1 , wherein the generalized model predictive control template is parameterized by the calibration dataset.
3. The configurable controller of claim 1 , wherein a structure of the specific model predictive controller configuration is defined, at least in part, by the calibration dataset.
4. The configurable controller of claim 3 , wherein the calibration dataset influences the structure of the specific model predictive controller configuration by defining, at least in part, one or more of a number of measured variables, one or more set-points, one or more constraints, and/or one or more actuators.
5. The configurable controller of claim 3 , wherein the calibration dataset influences one or more tuning parameters of the specific model predictive controller configuration.
6. The configurable controller of claim 5 , wherein the one or more tuning parameters define at least in part of one or more models, one or more prediction horizon lengths, one or more weighting matrices defining one or more control objectives and/or preferences of a feedback control path, and/or one or more tuning parameters for a state estimator.
7. The configurable controller of claim 1 , wherein the calibration dataset is generated off-line and stored in a memory of the configurable control system.
8. The configurable controller of claim 1 , further comprising a compiler for compiling the generalized model predictive control template together with the calibration dataset to generate a target code for a target control device, where the target code is an instance of the specific model predictive controller configuration.
9. The configurable controller of claim 8 , wherein the target control device is a controller of a vehicle.
10. The configurable controller of claim 8 , wherein the target control device is an engine control unit of a vehicle.
11. A method for generating a generalized model predictive controller configuration for an electronic control unit of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a generalized model predictive control template;
providing a calibration dataset;
wherein the generalized model predictive control template is configurable into a specific model predictive controller configuration by referencing the calibration dataset;
populating the generalized model predictive control template with the calibration dataset to realize a particular model predictive controller configuration;
downloading the particular model predictive controller configuration to an electronic control unit of a vehicle.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising testing the electronic control unit.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
after testing the electronic control unit, providing a new calibration dataset;
populating the generalized model predictive control template with the new calibration dataset to realize a new particular model predictive controller configuration;
downloading the new particular model predictive controller configuration to the electronic control unit; and
testing the electronic control unit.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the calibration dataset is generated using a design suite that is not executed on the electronic control unit.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the design suite includes a simulator.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the design suite has access to a rapid prototyping system (RP system).
17. A method for generating a model predictive controller configuration for an electronic control unit of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a generalized model predictive control template;
developing one or more functional blocks, the one or more function blocks defining, at least in part, a generalized model predictive control template, wherein the generalized model predictive control template is configurable into a specific model predictive controller configuration when compiled with a calibration dataset;
compiling the generalized model predictive control template and the calibration dataset together to realize a particular model predictive controller configuration;
downloading the particular model predictive controller configuration to an electronic control unit; and
testing the electronic control unit to determine if it provides acceptable control, and if not, returning to the developing step.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the testing step includes calibrating the particular model predictive controller configuration.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the testing step is performed on a rapid prototyping system (RP system).
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the testing step is performed in an actual electronic control unit.