MTS Vehicle Dynamics SimulatorDelivering higher fidelity, deeper insight & faster development

The MTS Vehicle Dynamics Simulator (VDS) is a next-generation driving simulator designed by McLaren Applied Technologies to provide OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers the means to explore and pursue new vehicle concepts more quickly and efficiently, ultimately reducing both costs and time-to-market.

Tailored specifically for road car development, the VDS combines an all-electric, force-controlled dynamic motion platform and exclusive sensory cueing package to immerse drivers in an exceptionally low-latency driving experience. High-speed computing orchestrates the real-time synchronization of vehicle and terrain models with the motion platform and virtual environment, enabling conceptual vehicle to be “driven” through a diverse array of adaptable scenarios.

The resulting high-fidelity “driver-in-the-loop” simulation enables engineers

to gain valuable, subjective driver feedback on component, subsystem and chassis performance well in advance of the availability of physical prototypes; more efficiently model, develop and evaluate chassis control schemes; and accelerate and improve vehicle model correlation.

Capable of uniquely high dynamic performance, the VDS is especially useful for conducting safe, meaningful studies of driver behavior in response to dramatic road events, which are critical for evaluating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The VDS offers other advantages over conventional simulators. Its compact, all-electric motion platform makes it easy to deploy in existing facilities. It integrates seamlessly with advanced hybrid simulation technology and is adaptable for Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and Autonomous Driving (AD) testing.

State-of-the-art Driver-In-the-Loop (DIL) Simulation:

» Safely acquire valuable driver feedback on component, subsystem and chassis performance earlier in development

» Efficiently model, develop and evaluate chassis control schemes

» Accelerate and improve vehicle model correlation

» Conduct safe, meaningful evaluations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

» Perform Autonomous Driving (AD), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing

» Integrate with MTS mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop (mHIL) technology

State-of-the-art Driver-In-the-Loop (DIL) Simulation

B

A

C

D

E

A. Force-controlled, 6DOF Dynamic Motion Platform

B. Adaptable rFpro virtual environment

C. MIDAS test management and ATLAS data analysis software

D. MTS mHIL Four-corner Damper System

E. MTS mHIL Steer System

F. Optional interchangeable cockpit

F

Low Latency Sensory Cueing

The VDS leverages sophisticated low latency sensory cueing technologies to immerse test drivers in high-fidelity driving scenarios. The McLaren dynamic motion platform and high-speed controls provide haptic and vestibular sensory cueing, while an adaptable rFpro virtual environment contributes both visual and audio sensory inputs. Concurrent iHawk real-time computing is used to integrate and synchronize the motion platform and virtual environment with complex vehicle and terrain models, quickly closing the simulation loop through the human driver in the extremely short time interval required to achieve meaningful subjective evaluation.

The VDS features an exclusive low-latency sensory cueing package, featuring McLaren motion algorithms, rFpro driving environment and Concurrent multi-core real-time processing.

A compact, force-controlled, all-electric 6DOF dynamic motion platform with optional interchangeable cockpit contributes precision haptic and vestibular sensory cueing needed for high-fidelity subjective evaluation

MIDAS (McLaren Integrated Data Analysis and Simulation) Software

MIDAS software has been developed and refined over the last two decades by McLaren as a platform for engineers to manage and analyze simulation and test data. It comprises an array of tools to make configuring experiments, interrogating results, comparing data sets and the automation of post processing scripts both consistent and repeatable.

MIDAS is included as part of the fully integrated software solution for the VDS, providing the ability to manipulate specific cueing parameters in order to deliver the best environment immersion for a driver-in-the-loop simulation. It features a user interface for editing configuration data that automatically mirrors its underlying structure. It is also version-controlled for full traceability.

Additionally, the modular, extensible MIDAS structure facilitates rapid and consistent collaboration across multi- disciplined engineering teams by allowing different departments to share common tools and processes, while maintaining customized content for different roles.

Completely integrated Hardware & software solution, featuring MIDAS test and data management software and ATLAS Motorsport data analysis software.

Proven Dynamic Motion Platform Design

The VDS employs a highly dynamic motion platform design born of years of McLaren Formula 1 vehicle modeling and simulation and proven through over half a million kilometers of simulated driving. It features a light-weight cockpit and low-friction, 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) mechanical scheme that integrates linear electric motors and the

latest in high-speed industrial controls to deliver the superior performance needed for high-fidelity subjective evaluation.

This proven design offers operational advantages over simulators equipped with conventional hexapods, including the elimination of complex, cross-coupling phenomena endemic to hexapod platforms. The all-electric VDS motion platform is also more compact

than simulators that utilize hexapod-on-rail systems; it requires no seismic mass; and its relatively low power and cooling requirements make it possible to locate and maintain the system very close to a typical office environment. The VDS platform is engineered to provide the highest levels of safety to drivers and operators. Its control system is CE compliant, making it readily deployable anywhere in the world.

ATLAS 10 (Advanced Telemetry Linked Acquisition System)

ATLAS 10 is a high performance data acquisition and visualization tool that provides intuitive and powerful real time data comparison and in-depth analysis features, allowing engineers to constantly seek a competitive advantage for their vehicle. ATLAS 10 is the market leader for car data logging and analysis and is used by all Formula 1, Formula E and LMP1 teams.

MTS Systems Corporation 14000 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2290 USA

Telephone: 1.952.937.4000 Toll Free: 1.800.328.2255 Fax: 1.952.937.4515

E-mail: info@mts.com www.mts.com

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Products or company names other than trademarks of MTS Systems Corporation are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

© 2017 MTS Systems Corporation. 100-358-648b VehicleDynamicSimulator Printed in U.S.A. 11/17

Next-Generation Simulation Capabilities

Mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop (mHIL)

The VDS is engineered to integrate seamlessly with leading-edge mHIL solutions from MTS. Mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop is a hybrid simulation technique that enables the real-time integration of difficult-to-model hardware – tires, dampers, hybrid transient powertrains and steering systems – directly into virtual simulations. The mHIL technique can be used for replicating real-world handling maneuvers and events; evaluating, calibrating and tuning suspension components or mechatronic control systems; and evaluating system behavior (or feel) for EPS or ABS systems. These capabilities enable “true” driver-in-the-loop simulation and improve development efficiency by delivering accurate, repeatable test results earlier in the process, minimizing rework in the validation phase. To date, MTS has pursued a variety of mHIL solutions, integrating a diverse array of physical hardware from dampers and steering systems to suspension and chassis systems.

Adaptable Vehicle Environment & ADAS Development

The adaptable, low latency environment of the VDS provides an ideal platform for initial subjective evaluation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The simulator’s flexible Concurrent hardware interface allows for rapid integration of custom software and hardware components for testing on-board aids such as ABS and ESC. Optional components of the adaptable rFpro environment also enhance ADAS testing capabilities. The rFpro SENSOR_IG plug-in (a variant of its standard Image Generator) allows rendered buffers (32-bit colour, depth, etc.) to be accessed in real-time for use by custom image-processing tools and sensor models. Combining the rFpro TRAFFIC module and a third party software, such as open-source Simulation of Urban MObility (SUMO), provides a fully customizable traffic simulation solution. New environments are continuously being added to the existing library – most recently Paris and Shanghai. The rFpro ReplayServer provides the ability to build up and replay exact scenarios to confirm control strategies with multiple vehicles created within the environment.

The VDS provides an ideal platform for initial subjective evaluation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

mHIL enables the real-time integration of difficult-to-model hardware directly into virtual simulations (mHIL Steer System shown).

Learn More

Contact MTS today to explore how the MTS Vehicle

Dynamics Simulator (VDS) can serve to accelerate

and streamline your vehicle development processes.

To experience next-generation VDS technology today,

contact Patrick Lane-Nott, Market Development

manager, at patrick.lane-nott@mts.com or

+44 7976 792932.

www.mts.com/events/vds