Cloud-in-the-loop Automotive Simulator Wireless Data Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators struggle to keep pace with the increasing complexity of automotive systems, particularly in autonomous driving, due to outdated static designs that require extensive pre-prepared test data and cannot provide realistic test scenarios, leading to costly in-vehicle tests late in the development cycle.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-in-the-loop (CIL) simulator system that uses real-time wireless data transmission from a test vehicle to a simulation data server, which then provides data to a hardware-in-the-loop simulator, enabling more realistic and safer testing by eliminating the need for pre-prepared data and allowing testing in a controlled lab environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional HIL simulators use static design with pre-prepared test data, then the system structure is simple and isolated, but the test coverage is limited and cannot keep up with increasing automotive system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless transmitter as an intermediary component that bridges the isolated HIL simulator and the external vehicle system. This mediator enables real-time data transmission from the vehicle to the simulator without requiring direct physical connection or pre-prepared data, thus expanding test coverage while maintaining the isolated simulator architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static HIL simulator into a dynamic system by implementing real-time wireless data transmission. The simulator now receives live data from the vehicle during operation, allowing the test scenarios to adapt dynamically to actual vehicle conditions rather than relying on pre-programmed test cases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If HIL simulators require all test data to be prepared in advance, then the system is easier to operate, but expanding test coverage becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for preliminary data preparation by implementing real-time wireless transmission. Instead of preparing test data before the simulation, the system automatically captures and transmits vehicle data during operation, saving significant time while expanding test coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle itself serves as the data source, automatically providing test data through its onboard sensors and wireless transmitter. This self-service mechanism eliminates the manual data preparation process, allowing the system to generate test coverage autonomously during vehicle operation.
3Reliability
If traditional HIL simulators are used for autonomous vehicle testing, then the simulator remains isolated and simple, but realistic test scenarios cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter serves as an intermediary that connects the isolated HIL simulator to the external vehicle environment. This mediator enables the simulator to receive realistic test data from the actual vehicle without compromising the simulator's isolated architecture, thus providing realistic test scenarios while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for providing real-time data to a hardware-in-the-loop simulator for an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes a test vehicle having at least one sensor which generates an output signal representative of a condition of the vehicle. A wireless transmitter such as a cellular phone on the motor vehicle receives the sensor output signal as an input signal and transmits that output signal to a computer network. A simulator data server receives the data from the computer network and provides that data to the hardware-in-the-loop simulator.