DSPACE GmbH

Last updated
dSPACE GmbH
Company type Limited liability company
(Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung)
Industry Automotive, aerospace, [1] software, hardware, engineering
Founded1988
Headquarters
Key people
Carsten Hoff
Revenue€ 400 million (2023) [2]
Number of employees
2600 (2023)
Website www.dspace.com

dSPACE GmbH (digital signal processing and control engineering), located in Paderborn, Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), is one of the world's leading providers of tools for developing electronic control units. [3] [4]

Contents

dSPACE GmbH has Project Centers in Pfaffenhofen (near Munich), Böblingen (near Stuttgart), and Wolfsburg, and cooperates with the autonomous local dSPACE companies situated in the US, UK, France, Japan, China, Korea, Croatia and India. Various distributors represent dSPACE in other overseas markets.

Application fields

dSPACE provides tools for developing, testing and calibrating electronic control units (ECUs) in the automotive, aerospace [5] and medical engineering industries, as well as in industrial automation [6] and mechatronics. [7] In most cases, the process of developing and testing ECUs is based on the five phases of the V-cycle. dSPACE's hardware and software cover four of these five phases, but not the first phase, control design.

Control design

The control design phase involves developing the control algorithms that will run on an ECU, usually by modeling them graphically. This process can be performed with Simulink, modeling software from MathWorks, and is outside dSPACE's application fields.

Rapid control prototyping (RCP)

In rapid control prototyping, control algorithms are taken from a mathematical model and implemented as a real-time application so that the control strategies can be tested with the actual controlled system, such as a car or a robot. Simulink is used as the input and simulation tool, and Simulink Coder, also from MathWorks, is used as the code generator. dSPACE provides the necessary hardware platform consisting of a processor and interfaces for sensors and actuators, plus the Simulink blocks needed to integrate the interfaces into the Simulink model (Real-Time Interface, RTI).

Production code generation / ECU autocoding

In a development process based on mathematical models, the models are designed with graphical software, and then automatic production code generators are used to translate the models directly into code for ECUs/controllers. When a model's behavior has been validated, the code generator has to reliably transfer it to the target processor, whose resources are usually designed for the greatest possible cost-efficiency. In other words, the final production ECU generally has less memory and processing power than the RCP system on which the algorithm was developed and tested. As a result, the C code (production code) generated for the target processor has to meet stringent requirements regarding execution time and efficiency. Since 1999, dSPACE markets its production code generator TargetLink, [8] which is integrated into Simulink, the environment for model-based development. In addition to performing the actual autocoding, including code generation for AUTOSAR software components, TargetLink also makes it possible for developers to compare the behavior of the generated code with that of the original Simulink model (by means of software-in-the-loop (SIL) and processor-in-the-loop (PIL) simulation).

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)-Simulation

Simulation hardware 4988 Titelbild Catalog2008 DP.tif
Simulation hardware

In HIL simulation, [9] [10] a simulator mimics the environment in which an ECU will function: a car, an airplane, a robot, etc. First the ECU's inputs and outputs are connected to the simulator's inputs and outputs. In the next step, the simulator executes a real-time model of the ECU's working environment, which can consist of Automotive Simulation Models (ASMs) from dSPACE or of models from other vendors. This method provides a way to test new functions reproducibly in a safe environment, before a prototype of the product has even been produced. As with rapid control prototyping, Simulink models are the foundation. The advantage of HIL simulation in comparison with ECU tests in real prototype vehicles is that the tests on the control unit can be performed already during the development process. Errors are detected and eliminated very early and cost-efficiently.

Calibration / parameterization

Optimizing the control functions so that they fit specific applications is an integral part of ECU and controller development. To achieve this, the parameters of the ECUs are adjusted during ECU calibration. dSPACE offers software and hardware for this task.

Company history

New dSPACE building in Paderborn DSPACE-Gebaeude gross 02 110211.jpg
New dSPACE building in Paderborn

History of dSPACE products

Related Research Articles

In computer engineering, a hardware description language (HDL) is a specialized computer language used to describe the structure and behavior of electronic circuits, most commonly to design ASICs and program FPGAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simulink</span> Programming environment

Simulink is a MATLAB-based graphical programming environment for modeling, simulating and analyzing multidomain dynamical systems. Its primary interface is a graphical block diagramming tool and a customizable set of block libraries. It offers tight integration with the rest of the MATLAB environment and can either drive MATLAB or be scripted from it. Simulink is widely used in automatic control and digital signal processing for multidomain simulation and model-based design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PLECS</span> Simulation software for electrical circuits

PLECS is a software tool for system-level simulations of electrical circuits developed by Plexim. It is especially designed for power electronics but can be used for any electrical network. PLECS includes the possibility to model controls and different physical domains besides the electrical system.

VisSim is a visual block diagram program for the simulation of dynamical systems and model-based design of embedded systems, with its own visual language. It is developed by Visual Solutions of Westford, Massachusetts. Visual Solutions was acquired by Altair in August 2014 and its products have been rebranded as Altair Embed as a part of Altair's Model Based Development Suite. With Embed, virtual prototypes of dynamic systems can be developed. Models are built by sliding blocks into the work area and wiring them together with the mouse. Embed automatically converts the control diagrams into C-code ready to be downloaded to the target hardware.

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, or HWIL, is a technique that is used in the development and testing of complex real-time embedded systems. HIL simulation provides an effective testing platform by adding the complexity of the process-actuator system, known as a plant, to the test platform. The complexity of the plant under control is included in testing and development by adding a mathematical representation of all related dynamic systems. These mathematical representations are referred to as the "plant simulation". The embedded system to be tested interacts with this plant simulation.

Model-based design (MBD) is a mathematical and visual method of addressing problems associated with designing complex control, signal processing and communication systems. It is used in many motion control, industrial equipment, aerospace, and automotive applications. Model-based design is a methodology applied in designing embedded software.

CAMeL-View is a software application, which is used for the model based design of mechatronic systems.

Real-time simulation refers to a computer model of a physical system that can execute at the same rate as actual "wall clock" time. In other words, the computer model runs at the same rate as the actual physical system. For example, if a tank takes 10 minutes to fill in the real world, it would take 10 minutes to fill in the simulation as well.

Vortex Studio is a simulation software platform that is developed by CM Labs Simulations. It features a real-time physics engine that simulates rigid body dynamics, collision detection, contact determination, and dynamic reactions. It also contains model import and preparation tools, an image generator, and networking tools for distributed simulation, accessed through a desktop editor via a GUI. Vortex adds accurate physical motion and interactions to objects in visual-simulation applications for operator training, mission planning, product concept validation, heavy machinery and robotics design and testing, haptics devices, immersive and virtual reality (VR) environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SimulationX</span> Software application

SimulationX is a CAE software application running on Microsoft Windows for the physical simulation of technical systems. It is developed and sold by ESI Group.

TargetLink is a software for automatic code generation, based on a subset of Simulink/Stateflow models, produced by dSPACE GmbH. TargetLink requires an existing MATLAB/Simulink model to work on. TargetLink generates both ANSI-C and production code optimized for specific processors. It also supports the generation of AUTOSAR-compliant code for software components for the automotive sector. The management of all relevant information for code generation takes place in a central data container, called the Data Dictionary.

The ETAS Group is a German company which designs tools for the development of embedded systems for the automotive industry and other sectors of the embedded industry. ETAS is 100-percent subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH.

The Functional Mock-up Interface defines a standardized interface to be used in computer simulations to develop complex cyber-physical systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INCA (software)</span> Application software published by ETAS

INCA is a measurement, calibration and diagnostic software published by ETAS. With its large installation base in the auto industry, this development software is deployed during all phases of the development of electronic control units (ECUs) and ECU software programs for measuring, calibration, diagnostics and programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20-sim</span>

20-sim is a commercial modeling and simulation program for multi-domain dynamic systems, which is developed by Controllab. With 20-sim, models can be entered as equations, block diagrams, bond graphs and physical components. 20-sim is widely used for modeling complex multi-domain systems and for the development of control systems.

Simcenter Amesim is a commercial simulation software for the modeling and analysis of multi-domain systems. It is part of systems engineering domain and falls into the mechatronic engineering field.


Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP) is a type of simulation methodology that allows for the rapid evaluation of control systems, especially for large machinery. It can test and evaluate algorithms as well as associated components such as sensors, actuators, pumps etc. The system requires some type of mock up, usually a scaled down version of the system to be tested, plus high powered computer simulation software. Rapid Control Prototyping has gained popularity thanks to its ability to accelerate product development and reduce their time-to-market. The approach also helps mitigate design risks, thanks to their early identification.

ecu.test is a software tool developed by tracetronic GmbH, based in Dresden, Germany, for test and validation of embedded systems. Since the first release of ecu.test in 2003, the software is used as standard tool in the development of automotive ECUs and increasingly in the development of heavy machinery as well as in factory automation. The development of the software started within a research project on systematic testing of control units and laid the foundation for the spin-off of tracetronic GmbH from TU Dresden. ecu.test aims at the specification, implementation, documentation, execution and assessment of test cases. Owing to various test automation methods, the tool ensures an efficient implementation of all necessary activities for the creation, execution and assessment of test cases.

Predictive engineering analytics (PEA) is a development approach for the manufacturing industry that helps with the design of complex products. It concerns the introduction of new software tools, the integration between those, and a refinement of simulation and testing processes to improve collaboration between analysis teams that handle different applications. This is combined with intelligent reporting and data analytics. The objective is to let simulation drive the design, to predict product behavior rather than to react on issues which may arise, and to install a process that lets design continue after product delivery.

References

  1. Integration tests at HondaJet test facility [ permanent dead link ]
  2. "dSPACE Grows and Plans Expansion of Production in the Almepark Industrial Estate" . Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  3. Frost & Sullivan-Award
  4. "Founding member of ASAM". Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  5. LIGO: Hunting Waves in Space Gravitational Wave Research with dSPACE Equipment
  6. "Hybrid-drive development at Deutz and Atlas Weyhausen". Archived from the original on 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  7. Mechatronics development and validation
  8. "TargetLink 3.2 certified by TÜV SÜD". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  9. Hardware-in-the-Loop-Testing at Visteon
  10. Hardware-in-the-Loop-Testing at Scania
  11. "Winner of the "Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008" award". Archived from the original on 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  12. Validating diagnostics in early development stages with Daimler AG
  13. Winner of the AEI Tech Award 2012
  14. MicroLabBox