Sviluppo di un framework per l'automazione dei test al banco e la prototipazione di algoritmi di controllo di motori a combustione interna

In recent years, increasingly stringent limits on polluting exhaust gas emissions, have led to a considerable increase in the complexity of internal combustion engines. This complication determines an exponential increase in the number of tests to be carried out in the testing room. The typical methods of test management can no longer be used, but it is essential to create a system that optimizes the tests. To drastically reduce the execution time, it is necessary to implement an architecture able to facilitate the exchange of data between systems present in the testing room, and, in addition, to define the test automation strategies. The approach to certain innovative methods still represents a complicated task in many groups of the powertrain control strategies development, although, once developed, leads to great benefits during the testing phase. The work illustrates the methods implemented for the management of these strategies. First it is described the approach used in the calibration of spark advance to maintain acceptable levels of knock during the calibration process. Following is shown the test automation system allowing full control of the engine operating point and management of the acquisition by checking the stability of the achieved conditions. The last part shows rapid prototyping systems for the control of innovative engine components.