Legislation for vehicle system electronics includes requirements for ‘On Board Diagnostics’ for major vehicle markets. Legislative changes have been the key force in recent years driving a dramatic increase in diagnostic complexity. Tier-1 system suppliers develop powertrain control diagnostic solutions for volume programmes, but are less inclined to accept the work for niche products. Manufacturers also need to develop cross-platform solutions which are tailored to their manufacturing and service tools, as well as satisfying the legislated requirements for generic scan tools. The diagnostic task is therefore becoming more critical to the OEM for both diesel and gasoline product lines.
Ricardo have engineers with many years experience of working within OEM’s and automotive electronics manufacturing companies, and have undertaken a number of full turnkey powertrain system, and model year diagnostic projects for vehicle manufacturers and major suppliers. We can provide a completely independent view based on sound knowledge and experience.
Ricardo engineers have been responsible for the design, development and manufacturing launch of many products ranging from simple body controllers through to the latest engine and transmission control modules. Areas of expertise cover all aspects of project responsibility, and from the diagnostic perspective include:
- OBD, OBDII & EOBD diagnostic development
- Validation testing HAZOP / SIL analysis
- Safety concept
- FMECA
This experience enhances Ricardo's capabilities:
- Design and development of algorithms to satisfy all diagnostic legislation including the latest rate-based monitoring requirements
- Rapid prototyping and ‘Hardware In the Loop’ (HIL) analysis of electronic controllers
- Full system specification to Tier-1 suppliers
- Management of suppliers
- Calibration and validation of software, including hot, cold and altitude testing
- Fleet management, data logging and fault tracking systems
- Certification to the legislative bodies
- Our OBD Processes have been proved through use on a number of programmes, and are segmented into the following phases:
Phase 1 – Legislative assessment – Gap analysis of the current diagnostic software
Phase 2 – Emissions relevance testing on transient dynamometer and chassis rolls
Phase 3 – Development and rapid prototyping of software using dual-ported bypass or CAN bypass development ECUs, in vehicle and engine testing
Phase 4 – Calibration of the all diagnostic monitors and the diagnostic manager
Phase 5 – Validation fleet management and hot/cold/altitude environmental testing
Phase 6 – Testing and validation of diagnostic software in ‘real world’ situations
Phase 7 – Certification of the full vehicle system to the legislative authority