Electronic Control
Prerequisite for intelligent Technology
Communication between systems
Electronically controlled driveline and chassis systems do continuously exchange information such as sensor data and control commands via the vehicle's network. The electronic transmission control unit for example is communicating with the engine and brake management controls. ZF designers simulate the complete driveline and chassis so to test and optimize inter-system functions. As a consequence, gearshifts are hardly noticeable due to the well-tuned coordination of electronic, hydraulic, and mechanic systems.
From the model to the virtual prototype of a transmission control unit
The virtual prototype allows the simulation of software-technical control functions on the entire vehicle's model, without the need for a real vehicle. Driveline and chassis functions are developed at the computer for a virtual environment. These functions are then further tested and optimized in the real vehicle during rapid prototyping by means of a special hardware. This way, quality of control and regulating systems can be ensured for automatic transmissions, for example. Due to the multitude of customer vehicles and requirements, more than 200 different software versions are developed for control systems every year.
Last Update: 14.04.2008
