Ricardo Introduces New Real-Time Simulation Technology for Next-Generation Engine Design

18 November 2008

Ricardo has introduced WAVE-RT, the first version of Ricardo’s engine simulation product specifically designed to enable highly accurate real-time simulation to become an embedded part of the engine management system development process.

With wave propagation effects fully captured, the transient response of the model is much closer to that of the real engine than would be the case with mean-value engine models typically used to date for this application. WAVE-RT thus enables validation of strategies to perform close control of engine performance during transients, and the accuracy of its airflow simulation allows development of concepts such as variable valve timing and lift control including more unusual examples such as negative overlap for controlled auto-ignition or for camless engine control. The system can thus serve as a significant enabler for the more rapid development of next-generation low fuel consumption, low emission engines.

The system separately represents individual cylinders, enabling the development and validation of complex control strategies such as closed-loop combustion control, fully accounting for variations between cylinders arising from the different air paths and hence key associated variables such as air mass and residuals or exhaust temperature.

Because the WAVE-RT model is automatically generated from an existing high resolution and previously validated donor WAVE engine model, there is very little calibration needed to produce the real-time model. The physical nature of the model means that engine faults are immediately transparent, allowing more rapid and thorough testing of on-board diagnostics and potentially enabling its use as an air-flow estimator for next-generation model-based control strategies.

The key CAE process benefit compared to previous methods is the automatic conversion from a WAVE model to real-time format using WaveBuild. This is inherently quicker and more repeatable than creating a large multi-dimensional map or indeed, any other interpretive process, according to Ricardo. Additionally, if the design of the engine changes in a fundamental way, the new model can be created from the engine design model at the Click of a button. Repetition of 1D simulations or test-bed experiments is not required, and the effort required to calibrate the model is effectively removed.

The speed of model generation also enables the development of control strategies to begin at a much earlier stage in an engine development program and protects against delays arising due to design changes. Engine models tend to evolve during development programs and at each iteration it is an advantage to be able to produce an accurate real-time model. Quality assurance and traceability is also improved as a single high-fidelity WAVE model is used as the basis of both initial simulation work and HiL testing.

In its first release WAVE-RT will support both gasoline and diesel engines, with turbochargers, intercoolers, and EGR circuits. It will be supported on numerous commercial HiL systems from vendors such as ETAS, The MathWorks, and Concurrent, and Ricardo aims to work with other HiL vendors in the future to ensure support additional platforms.