MATLAB and Simulink: Insights from Jaguar Land Rover’s Real-World Applications
In today’s rapidly evolving automotive industry, mastering the right tools is crucial for budding engineers and software developers. At Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), two key tools stand out in the development of vehicle systems: MATLAB and Simulink. At Formula Student UK last summer, we were joined by Mike Lucas and Chris Kerswell, chapter leads at JLR, who presented on the real-world applications of these tools and why students should consider them essential skills.
The Real-World Applications of MATLAB and Simulink at JLR
Mike Lucas, who leads a team of software developers at JLR, emphasizes the importance of MATLAB and Simulink in generating code for sophisticated vehicle systems. His team works on various systems, including terrain response systems, rear-wheel steering, active off-road cruise control, and active suspension. These systems are integral to the performance and luxury of JLR vehicles, showcasing the depth of application for MATLAB and Simulink.
Chris Kerswell, another chapter lead, focuses on transforming Simulink models into flashable binaries for vehicle deployment. His team deals with engine control software, electronic drive unit control, transmission gear selection, and traction battery management. These applications highlight the versatility of MATLAB and Simulink in handling complex automotive software challenges.
From Concept to Production: The Role of MATLAB and Simulink
The process of taking a concept and turning it into a production-ready vehicle system involves several intricate steps. At JLR, this journey starts with system engineering, where ideas are expressed and refined using graphical diagrams and modeling languages. Tools like Simulink allow engineers to define behavior and understand system interactions at a high level before diving into implementation.
Simulink’s graphical modeling capabilities enable engineers to quickly model physical systems and conduct initial studies on system behavior. This rapid prototyping is invaluable in the early stages of development, allowing teams to iterate on designs and make informed decisions.
“In the modern world, we have a lot of software in the vehicle. We can’t afford to be taking a lot of time to develop these and make all these changes. So we’ve got to streamline some of this.”
The Advantages of Graphical Modeling
One of the standout benefits of using Simulink is its ability to present complex systems in a visual format that is easy to understand. As Mike Lucas points out, even those without a programming background can grasp the intricacies of a system through Simulink’s intuitive interface. This accessibility empowers engineers to define system behavior and ensures that the transition from concept to code is seamless.
Simulink’s integration with tools like Embedded Coder further streamlines the process by auto-generating C code from models. This capability is crucial for deploying software in vehicles, as it ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors during manual coding.
Ensuring Robustness and Compliance
In the automotive industry, robustness and compliance are non-negotiable. JLR employs a rigorous testing process to ensure that software meets functional safety standards and regulatory requirements. MATLAB and Simulink play a central role in this process, offering tools for model simulation, syntax checking, and error detection.
By integrating MathWorks tools into their source control system, GitLab, and leveraging its pipeline functionality, they’ve automated numerous development and testing steps. This integration enables them to run processes overnight or during off-peak hours, maximizing efficiency. With tools like Model Advisor, model-in-the-loop testing, and Polyspace testing, they’re able to conduct parallel testing, drastically reducing the time required from 2.5 hours to a much shorter period. This advancement not only saves time but also ensures consistency across all testing environments, eliminating the common “it works on my laptop” issue. In fast-paced environments like motorsport, where timely delivery is crucial, their structured pipeline ensures no steps are missed, maintaining robustness and compliance with legislative standards. This automated pipeline also provides a reliable record of all testing activities, crucial for compliance and customer protection. From initial model design to a fully productionized solution, their use of the MathWorks toolchain ensures their software is thoroughly tested, documented, and ready for deployment. This robust process allows them to confidently deliver software updates over the air to their customers, ensuring the highest quality and reliability.
By using the power of continuous integration pipeline, and being able to use MathWorks tools to parallelize the development and the testing, we can run all this in parallel and we can actually push that time of 2.5 hours down to a much, much shorter period
Conclusion: Why Students Should Learn MATLAB and Simulink
The insights from JLR’s use of MATLAB and Simulink underscore the importance of these tools in modern automotive engineering. For students aspiring to enter this field, mastering MATLAB and Simulink provides a significant advantage. These tools offer a comprehensive platform for modeling, simulating, and deploying complex systems, making them indispensable in the development of next-generation vehicles.
As the automotive industry continues to innovate, the demand for engineers proficient in MATLAB and Simulink will only grow. By acquiring these skills, students position themselves at the forefront of automotive technology, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s vehicles.
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