Model-Based Calibration Toolbox

Model-Based Calibration Toolbox workflow

Generating Optimal Calibrations

The MBC Optimization app in Model-Based Calibration Toolbox lets you calibrate lookup tables for your engine control unit (ECU). With the app, you can fill and optimize lookup tables in ECU software using models created with the MBC Model Fitting app. You can:

  • Generate optimal calibrations directly from empirical engine models
  • Compare calibrations with test data
  • Export calibrations to ETAS INCA and ATI Vision

Optimizing Engine Performance

The MBC Optimization app lets you generate optimal calibrations for lookup tables that control engine functions, such as spark ignition, fuel injection, and inlet and exhaust valve timing. Calibration of these features typically involves tradeoffs between engine performance, economy, reliability, and emissions. You can:

  • Make tradeoffs between competing design objectives
  • Perform multiobjective optimizations
  • Deal with multiple constraints
  • Perform weighted optimizations based on typical drive cycles
  • Use built-in or custom optimization routines
  • Manipulate table values with custom functions
Filling a table based on an engine response model (left) and viewing optimized settings for engine control features (right)


Producing Smooth Calibration Tables

Complex calibration problems can require different optimizations for different regions of a table. The table-filling wizard enables you to incrementally fill tables from the results of multiple optimizations with smooth interpolation through existing table values. The MBC Optimization app extrapolates the optimization results to pass smoothly through table masks and locked cells (fixed table values). Use these features when you want to use separate optimizations to fill different regions of a lookup table.

The app also provides gradient constraints for controlling table smoothness in optimization-based and feature-based table filling.

Optimizing Engines with Different Operating Modes

Model-Based Calibration Toolbox enables you to produce optimal calibrations for engines with multiple operating modes. You can use the composite model type to combine a number of models that represent engine responses under different operating modes. Using the composite model in the MBC Optimization app produces optimal calibrations for engines with multiple operating modes, where the goal is to fill a single table for all modes or to fill a table for each mode.

Calibrating Estimator Features

ECU software often includes features for estimating states that are too difficult or costly to measure in production vehicles, such as torque and borderline spark. Using the MBC Optimization app, you can describe estimator features graphically with Simulink block diagrams, fill the lookup tables for these features, and then compare the estimators with empirical engine models made from measured engine data.

Next: Performing Simulations in Simulink

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