Mechanical Simulation Extends Driver Control for Autonomous Vehicle Development in CarSim and TruckSim 2019.1
ANN ARBOR, Mich., August 7, 2019 – Mechanical Simulation Corporation has released the 2019.1 versions of the vehicle dynamics simulation tools CarSim and TruckSim, which are well known for providing high-fidelity math models that reproduce physical test results, yet run fast enough on the computer to support real-time simulation with hardware in the loop. In addition to modeling the physics of vehicle dynamics, CarSim and TruckSim include built-in controllers to provide steering, throttle, and braking controls as needed to simulate traditional vehicle testing and new scenarios needed by the automotive industry to evaluate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles (AV).
According to David Hall, Senior Development and Consulting Engineer, “With the increasing emphasis on ADAS and AV, simulations need to represent limit conditions and control challenges that include low speeds and driving in reverse.”
In past versions, closed-loop steering was provided by a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) with optimal control and preview from ten points on a target path. A new controller was introduced in 2019.1 that uses a single target point and one parameter for preview. It uses a simple geometric solution that remains valid well beyond the linear range, and inherently compensates for non-linear tire properties. Dependence on a single target point means the target can readily be imported from external software with users only needing to provide X- and Y-coordinates of a target point.
Both steering controllers (single point and LQR) have been extended to function when driving in reverse. Simply providing a negative target speed and directing the transmission to be in reverse invoke the reverse-travel logic. As with driving forward, the single point control can receive its target from external sources or calculate it from a defined internal path.
In addition to steering by setting the steering wheel angle, steering by torque is now supported by both controllers. A steering wheel torque is applied to achieve the target steer angle calculated by the controller.
Many ADAS and AV controls have logic based on control of vehicle acceleration rather than speed. Acceleration and braking can now be controlled with target accelerations.
“With the new control options,” Hall notes, “engineers developing ADAS and AV capabilities like park assist or developing path identification strategies have more tools to evaluate their systems.” Controlling target accelerations and path following in reverse extend the range of real-world challenges that can be studied. These features enable interaction with third-party software in more convenient ways.
About Mechanical Simulation Corporation: Mechanical Simulation Corporation is a technology leader in the development and distribution of advanced software used to simulate vehicle performance under a wide variety of conditions. The software is used for traditional vehicle dynamics studies, model in the loop engineering, hardware-in-the-loop applications, and for developing ADAS and autonomous driving technologies. The Ann Arbor, Michigan based company was established in 1996 and provides car, truck and motorcycle simulation packages, training and ongoing support to more than 110 OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and over 200 universities and government research groups worldwide. For more information, please visit www.carsim.com.
The CarSim and TruckSim driver model now supports steering control for driving backwards.
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