SimCES platform for modular simulation : Featuring platform independence, container ecosystem, and development toolkit

Modular co-simulation contributes to both engineering and research, but the earlier solutions have lacked the combination of platform independence, loose coupling between the modules, and tools for straightforward development. This paper describes the simulation platform SimCES (Simulation Environment of Complex Energy System) that solves these issues with a microservice architecture, combining message-broker-based communication, containerization, and a development toolkit. The components can even communicate over Internet. Furthermore, there are developer tools that enable an easy start for developers with Python and Docker, but any external platform is possible too. SimCES is domain agnostic but stems from the energy domain.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Electrified Powertrain Development: Distributed Co-Simulation Protocol Extension for Coupled Test Bench Operations

The increasingly stringent CO2 emissions standards require innovative solutions in the vehicle development process. One possibility to reduce CO2 emissions is the electrification of powertrains. The resulting increased complexity, as well as the increased competition and time pressure make the use of simulation software and test benches indispensable in the early development phases. This publication therefore presents a methodology for test bench coupling to enable early testing of electrified powertrains. For this purpose, an internal combustion engine test bench and an electric motor test bench are virtually interconnected. By applying and extending the Distributed Co-Simulation Protocol Standard for the presented hybrid electric powertrain use case, real-time-capable communication between the two test benches is achieved. Insights into the test bench setups, and the communication between the test benches and the protocol extension, especially with regard to temperature measurements, enable the extension to be applied to other powertrain or test bench configurations. The shown results from coupled test bench operations emphasize the applicability. The discussed experiences from the test bench coupling experiments complete the insights

“Análisis dinámico comparativo de modos de regulación/carga en la inserción de sistemas ve-conectados a micro-redes híbridas en CA/CC”

La presente investigación desarrolla un estudio dinámico comparativo entre modos de regulación/carga de vehículos eléctricos (VE) conectados a micro-redes (MR) híbridas CA/CC. El estudio aborda el uso del cinco perfiles de vehículos eléctricos con capacidad de modos de regulación y carga. Se implementó un perfil de conexión y regulación típico para cada vehículo y se evaluó el comportamiento dinámico reflejado para variables como: voltaje, corriente, potencia activa, potencia reactiva, factor de potencia e índice de distorsión armónica, durante un día escalado a veinte y cuatro segundos de simulación. El presente caso de estudio usa un modelo de micro-red híbrida basado en el sistema de prueba IEEE 14 buses. El trabajo se desarrolló basado en un enfoque de simulación numérica en Matlab/Simulink, las simulaciones realizadas permitieron evaluar el comportamiento de los buses en la micro-red y el bus de acople para los vehículos eléctricos, durante los puntos de máxima y mínima demanda.This research involves the development of a comparative dynamic study between regulation/charging modes of electric vehicles (EVs) connected to hybrid AC/DC microgrids (MG). The study addresses the use of five electric vehicle profiles with regulation and charging mode capabilities. A typical connection and regulation profile was implemented for each vehicle and dynamic behavior was evaluated for variables such as: voltage, current, active power, reactive power, power factor and harmonic distortion index, during the lapse of one day scaled to twenty-four seconds of simulation. The base case study uses a hybrid micro-grid model based on the IEEE 14-busbar test system. The study was carried out based on a numerical simulation approach using Matlab/Simulink. The simulations performed allowed for an evaluation of the behavior of the busbars in the micro-grid and the coupling busbar for electric vehicles, during the peak and minimum demand points

Virtual prototyping of vehicular electric steering assistance system using co-simulations

Virtual prototyping is a practical necessity in vehicle system development. From desktop simulation to track testing, several simulation approaches, such as co-simulation and hardware-in-loop (HIL) simulation, are used. However, due to interfacing problems, the consistency of testing results may not be ensured. Correspondingly, inherent inaccuracies result from numerical coupling error and non-transparent HIL interface, which involves control tracking error, delay error, and attached hardware and noise effects. This work aims to resolve these problems and provide seamless virtual prototypes for vehicle and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system development.The accuracy and stability of explicit parallel co-simulation and HIL simulation are investigated. The imperfect factors propagate in the simulation tools like perturbations, yield inaccuracy, and even instability according to system dynamics. Hence, reducing perturbations (coupling problem) and improving system robustness (architecture problem) are considered.In the coupling problem, a delay compensation method relying on adaptive filters is developed for real-time simulation. A novel co-simulation coupling method on H-infinity synthesis is developed to improve accuracy for a wide frequency range and achieve low computational cost. In the architecture problem, a force(torque)-velocity coupling approach is employed. The application of a force (torque) variable to a component with considerable impedance, e.g., the steering rack (EPAS motor), yields a small loop gain as well as robust co-simulation and HIL simulation. On a given EPAS HIL system, an interface algorithm is developed for virtually shifting the impedance, thus enhancing system robustness.The theoretical findings and formulated methods are tested on generic benchmarks and implemented on a vehicle-EPAS engineering case. In addition to the acceleration of simulation speed, accuracy and robustness are also improved. Consequently, consistent testing results and extended validated ranges of virtual prototypes are obtained

Model-Based Engineering of Collaborative Embedded Systems

This Open Access book presents the results of the "Collaborative Embedded Systems" (CrESt) project, aimed at adapting and complementing the methodology underlying modeling techniques developed to cope with the challenges of the dynamic structures of collaborative embedded systems (CESs) based on the SPES development methodology. In order to manage the high complexity of the individual systems and the dynamically formed interaction structures at runtime, advanced and powerful development methods are required that extend the current state of the art in the development of embedded systems and cyber-physical systems. The methodological contributions of the project support the effective and efficient development of CESs in dynamic and uncertain contexts, with special emphasis on the reliability and variability of individual systems and the creation of networks of such systems at runtime. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the case studies are therefore selected from areas that are highly relevant for Germany’s economy (automotive, industrial production, power generation, and robotics). It also supports the digitalization of complex and transformable industrial plants in the context of the German government's "Industry 4.0" initiative, and the project results provide a solid foundation for implementing the German government's high-tech strategy "Innovations for Germany" in the coming years