Model Predictive Combustion Control Implementation Using Parallel Computation on an FPGA

The introduction of transient test cycles and the focus on real world driving emissions has increased the importance of ensuring the NOx and soot emissions are controlled during transient manoeuvres. At the same time, there is a drive to reduce the number of calibration variables used by engine control strategies to reduce development effort and costs. In this paper, a control orientated combustion model, [1], and model predictive control strategy, [2], that were developed in simulation and reported in earlier papers, are applied to a Diesel engine and demonstrated in a test vehicle. The paper describes how the control approach developed in simulation was implemented in embedded hardware, using an FPGA to accelerate the emissions calculations. The development of the predictive controller includes the application of a simplified optimisation algorithm to enable a real-time calculation in the test vehicle. The test vehicle was calibrated over a constant speed step manoeuvre and then demonstrated over the standard US06 drive cycle, where it was found to reduce NOx and CO2 emissions. The paper concludes with a discussion on the merits of an emissions based engine control strategy, where the controller seeks to control emissions directly rather than an indirect quantity such as boost pressure.