Predictive control for a throttle regulator in vehicle testing

Abstract

A method of predictive control is used in the regulation of a vehicles' speed in an environmental test cell with a wind tunnel. The vehicle speed is regulated through the throttle while the vehicle torque is controlled with a dynamometer. The predicted throttle position for the requested speed is based on torque, speed, and throttle position curves. The predictive control works in conjunction with an integrating speed regulator. The predictive control sets the throttle position when the speed error is above a set limit. Otherwise, the integrating regulator controls the speed. A description of both the dynamometer and throttle control hardware is included in the thesis. The throttle control software is described in detail since most of the regulating functions are digital. Both simulation and on-site tests are described. Test results are provided by strip chart recordings.