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Get Started with the Virtual Vehicle Composer

The Virtual Vehicle Composer enables you to quickly configure and build a virtual vehicle that you can use for system-level performance testing and analysis, including component sizing, fuel economy, battery state of charge, drive cycle tracking, vehicle handling maneuvers, software integration testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. Use the app to configure your virtual vehicle architecture, define and parameterize its components, build the vehicle model, run test scenarios, and analyze the results.

The virtual vehicle model uses sets of blocks and reference application subsystems in Powertrain Blockset™, Vehicle Dynamics Blockset™, and Simscape™ add-ons. Virtual Vehicle Composer simplifies the task of configuring the vehicle and test plan.

Open the Virtual Vehicle Composer App

To open the app, do either of the following:

  • MATLAB® Toolstrip: On the Apps tab, under Automotive, click the Virtual Vehicle Composer icon Virtual Vehicle Composer icon.

  • MATLAB Command Window: Enter virtualVehicleComposer.

Virtual Vehicle Composer Workflow

To build, operate, and analyze your virtual vehicle, use the Virtual Vehicle Composer app Composer tab options. To get started with an example, follow the workflow steps to build a four-wheeled electric vehicle (EV), test it with FTP–75 drive cycle, and analyze the results.

Step

Button

Description

1

Configure Virtual Vehicle Setup

Virtual Vehicle data icon

Setup

Specify:

  • Vehicle class

  • Model template

  • Powertrain architecture

  • Vehicle dynamics

  • Project path and Configuration name

  • Custom component catalog

Click Confirm Setup.

2

Configure Virtual Vehicle Components

Virtual Vehicle data icon

Data and Calibration

Specify the chassis, tire, brake type, powertrain, driver, and operating environment. Set parameters for each selection.

3

Configure Virtual Vehicle Scenario and Test

Virtual Vehicle scenario icon

Scenario and Test

Construct a test plan including one or more test scenarios. Options include drive cycles for fuel economy and energy management and vehicle handling maneuvers.

4

Configure Virtual Vehicle Signal Logging

Virtual Vehicle data logging icon

Logging

Select the model signal data to log while testing your virtual vehicle, such as energy-related quantities, and vehicle position, velocity, and acceleration.

You can also set the default signals for further testing.

5

Build Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle build icon

Virtual Vehicle

Build your virtual vehicle. When you build, the Virtual Vehicle Composer creates a Simulink® or Simscape model with the vehicle and powertrain architectures and parameters you specify and associates the model with the test plan.

6

Operate Virtual Vehicle

Virtual Vehicle operate icon

Run Test Plan

Simulate your model according to your test plan and log the output data.

Note

To run the full test plan, on the Composer tab, in the Operate section, click Run Test Plan.

7

Analyze Virtual Vehicle Test Results

Virtual Vehicle analyze icon

Simulation Data Inspector

Use the Simulation Data Inspector to view and inspect the data signals that you logged.

You can store your data for further processing.

See Also

Related Topics