Maintaining tyre pressure.

Sensata Technologies has announced its Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) have been selected by multiple commercial tractor and trailer manufacturers to meet new and emerging vehicle standards and regulations worldwide.

The need for TPMS on commercial tractors and trailers is on the rise as safety regulations in Europe and China, as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency standards in the US, approach their respective deadlines.

Specifically designed for the commercial vehicle market, Sensata’s TPMS solution is a complete system consisting of wireless sensors, receivers and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that communicates with the vehicle over the Controller Area Network bus (CAN bus). The system provides tyre pressure and temperature monitoring that meets regional legislation requirements and helps to reduce roadside tyre events, automate tyre checks, improve tyre life and increase vehicle fuel economy. A proprietary auto-location function enables the automated identification of the sensor’s position on the vehicle which reduces the need for additional tools and time required to program sensors during tyre changes and maintenance for commercial vehicle operators.

“By leveraging our history and experience in passenger car TPMS in the development of this commercial vehicle system, we’ve been able to provide customers with an offering that addresses their needs and is compliant to General Safety Regulations,” explains Rob Eijsink, Marketing Director for Sensata’s Heavy Vehicle and Off Road (HVOR) business. “Already adopted by leading truck and trailer manufacturers in Europe, Asia and North America, we are uniquely positioned to expand beyond TPMS technologies to incorporate additional sensor inputs and functionality into a solution that provides more value to our customers.”

Examples of additional functions include tyre fill assist and low-latency tyre burst detection, which enables suspension setting adjustments that stabilize the vehicle during tyre blow-out emergencies. Sensata can further customize the system to integrate signals from other wireless sensors and provides options to enable a secure, high-speed wireless truck-to-trailer link.

Commenting on the potential combination of TPMS solutions with Sensata’s expanding portfolio, Brian Wilkie, Vice President, HVOR at Sensata Technologies, said, “Our success with TPMS in commercial vehicle applications is a steppingstone towards providing Sensata’s more comprehensive Insights solutions in the future. Sensata's experience of serving both commercial vehicle OEMs and fleets has resulted in a product portfolio which can be configured to solve the needs of each individual customer.”

@Sensata #Transportation #Safety

Faster battery test for electric vehicles.

Joint effort to help improve efficiency and power capacity for EV battery testing to address climate change.

NI has collaborated with EA Elektro-Automatik (EA) to offer bidirectional power supplies that support battery cycling and power-level test for electric vehicles (EVs). EA’s best-in-class power supplies will be integrated into NI’s software-connected toolchain as part of NI’s power electronics offering to optimize battery test workflows. This joint effort accelerates the path to Zero Emissions by shortening time to market and improving safety and performance throughout the lifecycle of the battery.

The U.N. 2021 Climate Report’s findings that global temperatures will reach critical levels in the next 20 years have accelerated the demand for broad-scale implementation of EVs as a critical step to limit greenhouse gas emissions. However, validating EV batteries remains a critical factor in scaling this technology, as the battery makes up 70% of the cost of EV development.

Power electronics are essential for EV battery testing to meet safety and performance expectations, without compromising on the flexibility that rapid innovation requires. Integrating EA’s devices into NI’s toolchain gives EV test engineers and lab managers more flexible battery cycling configurations for their test labs, and quicker response time for new power level test requirements.

“NI and EA Elektro-Automatik share the same vision of providing high performance and flexibility for test engineers to ensure test labs meet their evolving needs,” said Noah Redding, NI senior director of validation for NI’s Transportation Business Unit. “As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, we at NI understand it is our responsibility to help the market Engineer Ambitiously to meet this moment and accelerate the path to Vision Zero. We are looking forward to the opportunities that will come through this collaboration with EA in helping engineers move faster and optimize battery test workflows to bring this important technology to the market.”

“This partnership combines industry-leading control, measurement and power into state-of-the-art test systems. These systems allow customers to speed up time to market while driving corporate zero emissions initiatives,” says Eric Turner, Managing Director of EA Elektro-Automatik, Inc USA. “The renewable energy test market is an essential step in product development and production. EA is proud to be a technology enabler via power regeneration technology that reduces energy consumption by up to 96%.”

@NIglobal @niukie @UNFCCC #elektroautomatik #TandM #Transport

Sectional load sense relief valve.

A new sectional load sense relief valve (LSRV) for its CLS mobile hydraulic control valve has been introduced by Eaton. The patented LSRV limits individual section pressure through feed oil reduction, eliminating the need for inefficient work port reliefs for feed-side pressure control. The CLS LSRV improves machine productivity and efficiency by helping prevent functions from slowing down during multi-section actuation and by eliminating unnecessary energy consumption and heat generation.

“Most load sensing mobile valves make you choose between power management and pressure control,” said Jiri Foukner, EMEA product manager, Advanced Mobile Valves, Eaton. “Eaton’s CLS valve eliminates this trade-off. With the new sectional LSRV, the CLS valve combines the benefits of pre-compensated and post-compensated valves, providing pressure control while maintaining flow sharing and power management capabilities.”

The CLS LSRV enables the use of full available inlet flow to maintain functionality during multi-section actuation, helping improve machine productivity. The LSRV limits pressure by reducing feed oil flow, rather than dumping the flow to the tank. Once the LSRV stops oil flow when a function reaches a specific pressure, which can be lower than maximum system pressure, that flow is available to other sections at full system pressure. This helps prevent machine functions from slowing down when multiple sections are operating at once.

The CLS LSRV improves energy efficiency by minimizing the power losses that occur when using work port reliefs for feed-side pressure control. Unlike work port reliefs, which dump all oil flow to the tank, the LSRV discharges only 2 to 4 L/min. of flow to the tank, dramatically reducing energy consumption and heat generation. 

The CLS sectional load sense relief valve is ideal for machinery with swing and clamp functions, including forestry equipment, excavators and backhoes.

@eatoncorp @NapierPR #PAuto 

Vehicles emissions live at show!

Visitors to AQE 2018 in Telford (GB) will be able to view live emissions data from vehicles travelling on a road close to the Telford International Centre, where the event will take place (21-22nd Nov.) Ricardo plc, a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy, will operate the monitoring equipment, providing a live feed into their AQE exhibition stand number No. 74.

“This is very exciting,” comments show organiser Marcus Pattison. “Vehicles are being blamed for urban air pollution, so this will be a great opportunity to see ‘real-world’ emissions rather than car manufacturers’ data. Entry to the AQE 2018 exhibition is free of charge to pre-registered visitors so whilst the event was created for air quality professionals, there is no reason why members of the public or local pressure groups should not also attend.”

Ricardo and its technology partner, OPUS RSE, use state of the art vehicle emission remote sensing equipment to accurately measure real-world driving emissions from large numbers of vehicles, under actual driving conditions, in a short space of time. The equipment is portable and will be configured to measure emissions of the pollutants of most interest, namely nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and ammonia.

The data gathered provides local insight necessary to inform the cost-effective design of low-emission policy and helps to ensure that mitigation measures focus only on the most polluting vehicle types.

The world’s leading manufacturers of air quality monitoring equipment will display the latest technologies at the event, and with registrations up by 21% AQE 2018 is set to be busier than ever. In addition to the exhibition there will be a comprehensive programme of free workshops as well as conferences on Clean Air Zones, the Medium Combustion Plant Directive, air quality legislation and Brexit, emissions from organics recycling, and air quality monitoring and improvement measures.

@AQE_Show #Environment  @_Enviro_News 

Vehicle dynamics system.

The Correvit® S-Motion vehicle dynamics test system from Kistler uses proven optical measurement technology for non-contact measurement of speed and slip angle. Correvit technology was first introduced in 1981 as the world’s first optical speed and distance sensor and Kistler have continuously improved the technique. The new version uses the latest technology to deliver the highest levels of accuracy and repeatability.

The S-Motion offers an ideal solution where high precision measurement of distance, speed (absolute, longitudinal, transverse) and angle are required for dynamic vehicle testing, e.g. steady-state circular-course driving (ISO 4138). Accelerometers built into the unit provide longitudinal and transverse acceleration data which is integrated with the optical speed and slip-angle information to provide significantly reduced signal noise and a high measurement frequency of 500 Hz with a minimal signal delay of 6ms.

In addition, an integrated GPS receiver enables the determination of position and time and integrated angular rate sensors allow pitch and roll angle and rotation around the vertical axis of the vehicle to be measured. Further signals such as levelled acceleration or curve radius and the conversion of speed to any point of the vehicle, e.g. centre of gravity or rear axis, are calculated inside the sensor.

These additional signals provide the test engineer with the ability to acquire the large number of measurands required for standard dynamic driving tests and simplifies the instrumentation of the vehicle whilst minimizing application errors.

Correvit S-Motion sensors provide unparalleled accuracy on all standard testing surfaces, even under the most challenging conditions. They feature high-quality optical elements, the latest optoelectronic components and state-of-the-art high-performance signal processing based on DSP and FPGA‘s.

With the Correvit® S-Motion non-contact system, Kistler has provided all of the capability demanded by current driving dynamics testing in one, compact, easy to mount and install unit which may be moved from vehicle to vehicle simply and quickly. Eliminating the need for a precision GPS system to provide vehicle motion data ensures that testing is never dependent on satellite availability.

#kistlerInstruments #PAuto #Transport

Autonomous vehicle testing.

National Instruments (NI) has released VeriStand 2016, the latest version of its software used by embedded software test engineers to build and run hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) verification systems. Today’s engineers face increasingly compressed, shifting schedules and constantly changing requirements driven by the emergence of the connected car and autonomous vehicles. VeriStand and NI’s HIL systems are the most open and customisable platforms available on the market to help companies meet these changing demands and future-proof their test systems.

With this release of the software customers can: · Achieve complete test coverage by taking advantage of the full breadth of NI I/O, including RF and camera processing · Use their models from over 30 different modeling tool and simulation environments such as The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink® software and IPG Carmaker to test ECUs for the latest embedded software trends such as ADAS and autonomous vehicles · Create professional looking UIs quickly and interact more efficiently with live tests using the completely redesigned UI manager · Connect with third-party hardware and software through the industry-standard ASAM XIL API · Work more efficiently with extremely large models using the improved model handling engine

Engineers take advantage of NI’s HIL systems to tackle the increasing complexity of embedded software and rising number of testing scenarios required as the newer technologies that make up next-generation vehicles like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automotive radar and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) become commonplace in embedded control systems. By building on open and proven technology software and hardware platforms, NI can quickly add native support for these new technologies to ensure customers can achieve complete software test coverage.

Additionally, with NI offices in 49 countries and a worldwide network of NI Alliance Partners with vertical industry and systems integration experience, turnkey test systems that meet customers’ particular application requirements can be delivered and supported.

“Through NI’s flexible platform-based approach, we could easily customize the HIL system to integrate specific test requirements for the vehicle electronic controllers,” said Zhang Fuli of Beijing Jingwei HiRain Technologies, an NI Alliance Partner. “The NI software and hardware systems made it easy to add functionality to our tests and satisfy the practical requirements of automotive HIL testing while retaining stability and reliability, and reducing the overall development cycle."

VeriStand is the software core of NI’s HIL systems. It combines real-time simulation, data acquisition, communication protocols and control into a common platform for the most complete HIL test software on the market today. And unlike traditional HIL software that is defined by the vendor and hard to modify, VeriStand can easily be extended and customized to meet customers’ particular test requirements.

@niukie @NIglobal #PAuto #Transportation 

Signal testing solutions prioritise Vehicle safety!

Anritsu Corporation has released new functionality for the MD8475A, its world class network simulator, to provide the first laboratory hardware in the loop system level test for the European eCall system and Russian ERA/GLONASS system.

With vehicle safety at the forefront of automotive testing and development, ensuring the quickest response from emergency services in the event of a traffic accident could save millions of lives. Anritsu offers the first eCall tester based on a complete network simulator with a flexible software tool simulating Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP), which greatly simplifies application development and evaluation.

The newly developed eCall Tester option (MX703330E) and MSD ERA/GLONASS option (MX703330E-031) used in combination with the MD8475A now supports in-house testing and evaluation of communications modules (in-vehicle systems, IVS) with built-in eCall and ERA/GLONASS functions, as well as general evaluation following installation of these modules in automobiles. As it is difficult to test emergency call systems using a live network, the eCall and ERA/GLONASS applications support laboratory testing, which not only cuts development time, but also reduces costs because evaluations can be performed in-house using network simulator, and reduces the amount of field testing needed to verify and de-bug eCall systems. These solutions offer the industry’s first system level test environment using a flexible control GUI and user configurable settings, to provide a test environment where different modes and configurations of network and eCall environments can be configured and tested with ease.

The MD8475A operates as an all-in-one network simulator for testing multi-standard cellular wireless modules. Composed of hardware and multiple measurement software options, the MD8475A supports all standard cellular communications technologies, enabling chipset and module developers to verify the performance and functions of communications devices. With its easy-to-use dedicated SmartStudio GUI, the MD8475A is ideal for evaluating in-vehicle systems, making V2X and M2M testing easy, quick and reliable.

Automotive and railway vehicle testing

A new CAN and LIN Bus monitor module, a 16-channel temperature/voltage module and a DC power-supply option have been introduced to enhance vehicle testing with the Yokogawa DL850V Vehicle Edition ScopeCorder.

The CAN and LIN Bus monitor module interprets CAN and LIN protocols, monitors communication data on these buses, and displays this data as waveforms on the screen of the DL850V ScopeCorder. Instead of digital code (hex or numeric), the user can define and monitor the target signals using CAN DBC or LIN LDF network definition files. Using the DL850V with this new input module, a great deal of measurement time is saved as an engineer can decode the bus signal and retrieve information on physical data, like engine temperature, wheel speed and braking, and compare this with the data coming from real sensors.

The 16-channel temperature/voltage module is designed to be used in conjunction with a scanner box, and allows the ScopeCorder to be used for simultaneous measurements on temperature and voltage inputs. This is often required in electromechanical tests where temperature change or heating is expected and needs to be monitored along with electrical parameters and physical ones such as pressure and strain.

Up to 16 channels of temperature or DC voltage data can be measured by the module, with the thermocouple or electrical connection being provided by a screw terminal on the external scanner box. The input terminal blocks contains the reference junction compensation circuitry and are isolated from ground. Isolation is also provided between channels within the input terminal block.

Excellent noise rejection is provided by using a delta-sigma analogue/digital converter which uses oversampling and digital filtering technologies to eliminate noise.

The new 12 V DC power supply option allows the DL850V to be taken for a test drive in a car, train or other vehicle by supplying the instrument with power from a vehicle's battery. Also AC and DC power supply can be used together to ensure measurement data protection in, for instance, railway environments where there is an unstable power supply. If the AC power goes down, the DL850V instantly switches to the DC input without interrupting the measurement itself.

The Yokogawa DL850V Vehicle Edition is a version of Yokogawa's successful ScopeCorder waveform acquisition and recording instrument specifically designed to meet the requirements of the automotive and transportation industry.

The Yokogawa ScopeCorder family are versatile instruments that combine the benefits of a high-speed oscilloscope with those of a traditional data acquisition recorder in a single, portable instrument.

2nd generation high voltage battery stack monitor

Linear Technology has announced the LTC6803, a second generation high voltage battery monitor for hybrid/electric vehicle (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs) and other high voltage, high performance battery systems. The LTC6803 is a complete battery measuring IC that includes a 12-bit ADC, a precision voltage reference, a high voltage input multiplexer and a serial interface. Each LTC6803 can measure up to 12 individual battery cells in series. The device’s proprietary design enables multiple LTC6803s to be stacked in series without optocouplers or isolators, permitting precision voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected batteries. The LTC6803 follows the road-proven LTC6802, introduced in September 2008 with the same functionality and pinout, plus a number of significant performance enhancements.

The maximum total measurement error of the LTC6803 is guaranteed to be less than 0.25% from -40°C to 125°C. The LTC6803 offers an extended cell measurement range from -300mV to 5V, enabling the LTC6803 to monitor a wide range of battery chemistries, as well as supercapacitors. Each cell is monitored for undervoltage and overvoltage conditions, and an associated MOSFET is available to discharge overcharged cells. Added functionality is provided by an onboard 5V regulator, temperature sensor, GPIO lines and thermistor inputs.

Erik Soule, Vice President, Signal Conditioning Products, stated, “Now over two years in the field with our proven battery stack monitor family, we are pleased to offer our customers this enhanced product, the LTC6803. Automakers and other customers worldwide have embraced Linear’s robust battery stack monitors, and we are confident that this new addition to the family will provide excellent performance for the next generation of HEVs and EVs.

“The LTC6803 addresses the latest demands of precision high performance battery stacks,” says Mike Kultgen, design manager for Linear Technology. “It ensures accurate, safe, reliable and error-free operation in harsh automotive environments.”

For long-term battery pack storage, the current consumed by the integrated BMS can potentially unbalance the cells. The LTC6803 addresses this concern with a standby mode that draws less than 12uA. Furthermore, the power input of the LTC6803 is isolated from the stack, allowing the LTC6803 to draw current from an independent source. When powering from this input, the current draw on the pack is reduced to less than 1µA.

The LTC6803 is designed to surpass the environmental, reliability and safety demands of automotive and industrial applications. The device is fully specified for operation from -40°C to 125°C. It has been engineered for ISO 26262 (ASIL) compliant systems and a full set of self-tests ensure that there are no latent fault conditions. To meet this standard, the LTC6803 includes a redundant voltage reference, extensive logic test circuitry, open wire detection capability and a watchdog timer for fail-safe designs. The LTC6803 is designed to withstand up to 75V, providing more than 20% of overvoltage margin for a full string of 12 cells. The 1MHz serial interface includes packet error checking and is designed to operate in the presence of large amounts of noise and transients.

The LTC6803 is offered in a small 8mm x 12mm surface mount device.

Bus comms for refuse vehicles

The CAN in Automation (CiA) group has released version 2.0 of the CleANopen specification. This CANopen application profile specifies the communication between electronic control units for refuse collecting vehicles (RCV). This includes the board controller (BCU), the lifter (LU), the compactor (CU), the container changer (CCU), the bin washer (WU), and the weight or volume meter (MU). The CleANopen communication system is based on the CAN lower-layers (ISO 11898 series) and the CANopen application layer (EN 50325-5/CiA 301).

Vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers have developed jointly the CleANopen specification (CiA 422 series) within the CANopen SIG (special interest group) municipal vehicles. The completely restructured version 2.0 is partly incompatible to version 1.0. In particular, the measuring units for weight and/or volume have been changed. Additionally, some functional enhancements have been introduced. The specification is in DSP (draft standard proposal) status; it is only available for CiA members. Part 1 and part 2 are downloadable free-of-charge from the website .

In spring, the entire specification will be submitted to CEN for European standardization. There are already more than 1000 RCVs on the road.