Hardware-in-the-loop-based evaluation platform for automotive instrument cluster development (EPIC)

Abstract

This paper offers a contribution for platform-based evaluation techniques by proposing a hardware-in-the-loop-based approach for automotive instrument cluster (IC) development. An automotive IC interface requires for special attention as it provides the driver with safety-relevant information like speed or state of charge that is critical for the driving situation. As state of the art in-vehicle Human-MachineInterfaces (HMI) are mostly embedded systems that make time-consuming research and development processes necessary, we propose a development platform that allows for a more rapid interface implementation and analysis. The evaluation platform for ICs (EPIC) is targeted at supporting engineers and researchers during the development phase of novel interface solutions that are reliable regarding their hardware connectivity and signal communication. It consists of a model-based vehicle simulation combined with automotive hardware to enable a real-time vehicle structure through a controller area network (CAN). Interchangeable, Androidbased interfaces illustrate the flexibility of the approach and show the operability of the evaluation platform. To illustrate the applicability of the approach, the platform was embedded in an engineering process for an electric vehicle to address the challenge of user interface development.

HMI development for a purpose-built electric taxi in Singapore

“…To access the driving and control-related data, the HMI system of the vehicle has two gateways to the CAN bus. One is a CAN-Bluetooth gateway that connects the instrument cluster directly to the CAN bus to allow immediate and reliable transfer of safety critical real-time information (for further details see [6]). The other gateway is the Car PC that makes the data on the CAN bus available to the smart devices through a service-oriented architecture.…”

“…Advanced automotive human-machine interfaces (HMI) are becoming widely available in current vehicles [2] [6]. The information provided ranges from entertainment and driver support aids to safety warnings.…”

Prototyping Automotive Cyber-Physical Systems

“…Further, the technology lacks in terms of innovation and compatibility as it moves too slowly to keep pace with other technologies [3]. This becomes distinct in comparison to the highly networked mobile operating system that are more often integrated into the vehicle information system [4].…”