Model-based design of vehicle control logic with functional safety requirements

The present thesis work is part of the context of Model-Based Design (MBD) applied to the development of mechatronic systems for electric vehicles, with particular reference to the Vehicle.MTM and DigitalFilter.MTM projects. The main objective was to review, reorganize and standardize the existing Simulink models, making them compliant with the MBD good practices and ready for automatic code generation. After an introductory part dedicated to the V-Cycle and its evolution in the Extended V-Cycle, the central role of virtual models in the development process is analysed, from the definition of requirements to the final validation. The integration between simulations, virtual prototypes and real tests allows you to reduce development times and costs, improving the traceability and efficiency of the product life cycle. The architecture of the Modular Technical Model (MTM) is also presented, based on a functional subdivision into independent modules (Environment, Plant, Control, HMI and User), which guarantees reusability, scalability and progressive integration throughout the development cycle, in line with the principles of the Extended V-Cycle The thesis then describes the revision activity of the Vehicle.MTM project, divided into several phases: •??reorganization of the Project Lauch Page, a centralized access point from which the user can manage all the preliminary operations necessary for the opening, configuration and launch of the Simulink model; •??reorganization of parameter management through the use of Simulink.Parameter objects and a dedicated Simulink Data Dictionary; •??structuring signals into hierarchical Simulink buses to improve readability, modularity, and traceability; •??study and optimization of CAN communication, with the introduction of automatic configuration and switching mechanisms between virtual and real simulation; •??introduction of an automatic mechanism for updating the Data Dictionary, which ensures consistency between the model and the parameters used. The work done on the Vehicle.MTM was preceded by a preliminary study on the Digital Filter model, developed as a simplified test case to validate the methodologies for managing parameters, signals and CAN communication. This approach has made it possible to transfer a robust, scalable and fully automated methodology to the most complex model of the vehicle. In conclusion, the work demonstrates how the systematic application of Model-Based Design and the appropriate use of Simulink and MATLAB tools, such as Data Dictionaries, MATLAB APIs, Type editor and Model explorer, allow to obtain more structured, traceable and ready models for the generation of embedded code, contributing significantly to the efficiency and quality of the development processes of mechatronic systems. The adoption of a methodical and structured approach from the early stages of development proved essential to ensure order, consistency and traceability within the project. Proper model organization favours the maintenance, evolution, and integration of new features, making the system more robust, scalable, and easily extensible.