Alma Automotive has matured insightful experience in engineering services to provide comprehensive consulting and professional support for analysis, design and development of electronics end-to-end, SW and HW. The company hosts heterogeneous and transversal skills that contribute to offer a 360 ° product management capacity, which includes technological feasibility services, electronic and mechanical design, production capability for small and large batches and functional and electric testing.
Over the past 20 year of activity, Alma Automotive has matured professional experience in developing algorithms to produce specific results in many different fields. The company can rely on several expert developer and engineers to identify problems and build specific algorithms achieving excellent results. Our senior engineers work with high-level math to promote functionalities in any kind of engineering project via specific coding languages, generally Matlab, Simulink or Labview .
Engineering services can also be provided to manage the post processing of sampled data using Matlab, LabVIEW, Diadem, Wintax, INCA MDA, Concerto, or other standard automotive and industrial tools.
Alma Automotive can design mathematical models suitable for simulations to avoit experimentations which can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, models may be updated and improved starting from customer's models already developed.
Capabilities
Product development
- Project Specification Definition using project management methodologies
- Electronic Boards Design: electronic/mechanical computer-aided design
- FW & SW development: C, C++, Python, JavaScript
- GUI development for Host PC, cloud interfaces, HMI
- Prototyping rapid deliverables most similar to the final product
- Device production: full/partial account production, single/multiple batch
- End Of Line testing: custom test benches with automated testing software
Driveline-Vehicle Modeling
- 4 wheels and 2 wheels vehicles capabilities
- Detailed driveline models, with the ability to simulate torsional oscillations: used for traction control strategies definition (SIL, up to>40 dof)
- Simplified 0-d control-oriented driveline models for HIL systems with the integration of internal combustion engine and/or electrical motors. Capabilities of simulate hybrid layouts, dual clutch, dumpers, elastomeric couplings, differential, 2-4WD, CVT.
- Detailed vehicle dynamics models (effect of wheel torque/steering angle on vehicle behavior, effect of electric motor torque on vehicle stability) up to 12 dof
- Simplified 0-d control-oriented vehicle models for HIL systems. Capabilities of simulate longitudinal and lateral vehicle dynamic, steering effect, rigid and dynamic (Pacejka) tyres behavior, boundary conditions (wind, grade, road friction…)
- Driver models for speed tracking purpose and lateral path tracking
Internal Combustion Engine & Electric Motors Components Modelling
- Detailed models of ICE portions/components to define control or diagnostic algorithms
- Detailed models of electric motors portions/components to define control or diagnostic algorithms
- Ancillaries and secondary systems: Dual Mass Flywheel, turbocharger, tank/canister circuits, internal EGR
- Complete combustion process with statistical approach on knock phenomena
- Test-bench joints modeling for torsional vibration evaluation
- Engine thermal modeling for thermal management
- EV Battery model and thermal behavior
- Sensors modeling (UEGO, in-cylinder pressure, etc.)
- Actuators modeling (Throttle, pumps, hydraulic and electrical valves, etc.)
Control and Diagnostic algorithms
- Development of Engine Management Systems for Gasoline, Diesel and advanced combustion (PCCI, HCCI, RCCI, TJI, SACI)
- Torque management: torque (and combustion phase) estimation based on engine speed measurements
- AFR control: cylinder-by-cylinder control with a single lambda sensor
- VVA/VVT control for optimal efficiency
- Traction control for best performance
- Spark Advance/AFR control for best performance
- Fuel management: fuels, water and H2 with single or multiple injections logics
- Misfire detection estimation based on engine speed measurements/ion current signal analysis
- Knock diagnosis by means of microphones, ion current, accelerometers, in-cylinder pressure signals
- Leak detection in the fuel circuit
Engine-Vehicle Behavior analysis
- High-speed camera acquisition and synchronization with engine signals: the system has been used for various purposes, such as sliding clutch evaluations, air entrainment into engine lubricant
- Turbocharger speed estimation based on acoustic emissions
- On-board stereoscopic image acquisition of tyres for deformation evaluation
- Torque-meter based on shafts torsion
Engine calibration
- Ion signal controller: definition of ion current-based indexes for best correlation with pressure signal
- Optimal parameters calibration (common rail) methodologies
- Development of custom tools (standalone or to be integrated in testbench management systems) for calibration
- Automatic calibration of Prail and VVT (Intake, Exhaust) for GDI engines (Matlab-INCA)
- SCR control parameters calibration
- Complete engine calibration on the test bench for complex engines (GDI, turbo, roots, VVT, EGR, etc.) on Alma Automotive test facilities
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