CD Laboratory for Innovative Control and Monitoring of Automotive Powertrain Systems

This CD Laboratory researches the foundations for developing new, innovative and systematic concepts and methods for monitoring, controlling, optimising and testing hybrid and electrified drive systems.

The automotive industry is facing major challenges due to increasingly strict CO2 regulations worldwide. The trends towards electrification and alternative drive systems as well as driverless and connected vehicles are leading to increased demand for new and alternative development methods. Hybridisation and electrification of the drivetrain are forward-looking approaches for environmentally friendly and sustainable mobility. However, significant improvements are still required with regard to battery life and the dynamic operation of the fuel cell. In the course of this CD Laboratory, methods for online monitoring of batteries and fuel cells are being developed. In addition, prediction models for battery ageing and intelligent predictive operating strategies are being investigated in order to extend the service life. Similarly, increasing durability during high power demand and transient operation is a key success factor for the use of fuel cells. Precise control concepts are therefore being developed, in particular taking into account ageing effects and their impact on the service life of the fuel cell.

Future real driving emission tests will require compliance with emission limits in practical driving and under all operating conditions. In this context, modern non-linear and predictive control concepts are being investigated in the CD Laboratory. While enormous efforts are currently being invested in the optimisation and expansion of existing control units, these model-based control concepts represent a systematic and scalable alternative for the efficient control of the combustion engine or powertrain.

Innovative concepts for controlling and monitoring drive systems, together with hybridisation and electrification, will contribute to a significant increase in the efficiency of future vehicles and drive systems.