Optimization of a Vehicle Control Algorithm for a Retrofit Kit Through a Model-Based Design Approach

In this work, a model-based design (MBD) approach was adopted for the optimization and implementation of a control algorithm intended for a retrofit kit for installation in vintage cars, aimed at improving system performance. The original control algorithm, previously developed in a different environment (LabVIEW), has been fully reconstructed and optimized within Simulink, using a reverse engineering approach, enhancing the simulation environment, and optimizing the code to improve efficiency and robustness in automatic code generation, specifically tailored for Processor-in-The-loop (PIL). The workflow follows a structured MBD methodology, adopting the V-Shape approach. Initially, a detailed study was conducted on the requirements of the original algorithm and the architecture and behavior of the various subsystems. Following this analysis, the software modeling phase was carried out in Simulink, ensuring full functional equivalence before proceeding with further optimizations. The next step was focused on testing the algorithm to verify and validate its consistency with the original software. During this phase, all the faulty, inconsistent, or redundant functionalities that were not suited to Simulink’s modeling approach were corrected or refined. Additionally, modifications were introduced to enhance efficiency, optimizing overall performance before proceeding with real-time testing on the simulated plant, previously implemented to execute a Model-in-The-Loop (MIL). Then, automatic code generation was performed to enable the deployment of the optimized algorithm on the embedded control unit (Miracle2).