Hybrid Vehicle Simulation System with discrete-event modeling and simulation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is one of fifteen schools across the United States and Canada that qualify to compete in the EcoCAR competitions. One of the major tasks of the ERAU EcoCAR team, besides to produce a working vehicle that fits the required hybrid vehicles, is to ensure predictions of the car´s performance. In this paper we present the use of the Discrete-Event System Specification (DEVS) formalism to simulate the physical hybrid car in its current state. We have modeled the car and manipulated various inputs and conducted simulation results that in theory match with those of the physical car. The proposed Hybrid Vehicle Simulation System produces scientifically sound results in theory that can be verified and validated. Development is performed at a system level, identifying the major contributing components, connecting those components as it is in the physical car, and simulating the various inputs and outputs of each component. The behavior of each component is analyzed as data is injected into it and the results are documented. Test plans are formulated to test each component (unit) under different conditions. The produced simulation will be incrementally replaced with actual hardware components of the car. This work benefits from a number of modeling and simulation concepts such as: component-oriented model-based development, model-continuity, and incremental replacement.