Ricardo was selected by CEVT (China Euro Vehicle Technology AB)— a Swedish-based innovation center that develops mobility solutions for the Geely Group brands—to deliver the crucial safety-critical transmission control software for a 7-speed dual clutch transmission with a lead 2020 model year application in a compact luxury crossover SUV.

Ricardo developed the software according to a systemized-track approach, in which the vehicle level requirements were used to define the software of the transmission controller. A thorough approach to software engineering was used, conforming to Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) Level 2.

(Automotive SPICE is a standard based on ISO/IEC 15504 and is used as a common framework for the assessment of automotive suppliers. )

This included testing at a software module, transmission system and vehicle level, and providing full traceability between the specification of each vehicle-level requirement, the point at which it has been implemented in software, and the test procedures and results. This approach is key to providing a long-term robust and maintainable production software implementation.

In addition to the above, the control software was developed according to ISO26262 (Road vehicles – Functional safety) to provide in-built monitoring functionality to ensure that, in the event of software- or hardware-related fault, the maximum operational availability of the transmission is maintained that is compatible with its safe operation.

Ricardo is pleased to have been able to deliver the production software for CEVT’s DCT in its launch vehicle product. Production software engineering for road vehicles requires a robust and systemic approach to ensure the required level of operational performance, fault tolerance and safety, while also providing the flexibility required of a modern automotive model year product development program. This is an area in which Ricardo excels and aims to maintain its position at the forefront of technology as, through electrification and hybridization, the software demands of vehicles and their on-board electronic systems become ever more complex.

—Ricardo project director Andy Beaumont