Multivariable design limitations for advanced technology automotive powertrains

Increased regulations on emissions have motivated the introduction of novel actuators to the automotive powertrain. A powertrain controller that coordinates these actuators in order to optimize engine behavior over a wide range of speeds and loads can thus become complex and is usually required to perform judicious tradeoffs between conflicting performance objectives. In this paper we apply multivariable analysis techniques to analyze design limitations due to actuator redundancy in a turbocharged engine equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation. This analysis can be used to suggest appropriate controller structures and guidelines for improving the plant in subsequent design iterations