Project Description
Increasing energy costs and standards arrived by the global warming lead to research and development of hybrid propulsion systems. Not only car manufactures are using these hybrid propulsion systems. In the future it is planned to integrate such systems through the combination of fuel cells, energy, storage systems and electric engines into a train of the next generation. To evaluate such systems we want to develop a train simulator including a software suite which allows the user to interactively modify the numerical simulation. Furthermore, the software suite should be capable to analyze the simulation results. Human machine interfaces are integrated into this setup to allow interactive modifications to the simulation. Additionally to the simulation environment a software module for the analysis is developed. This software is using information visualization techniques to depict the current energy flows within the train.
Fig.: NGT Mock-up
To reach these goals a distributed software architecture is introduced. The kernel of this architecture is composed of three different applications communicating via a well-defined network interface:
Simulation Application: To guarantee a flexible system which allows an easy exchange of the underlying simulation model the functional mockup interface (FMI) is used. This allows the engineers to model their simulation with their preferred tool. The simulation is then exported to a functional mockup unit (FMU) including the simulation code and some meta information.Our developed software is then able to load and execute this FMU. Furthermore, it allows modifying simulation parameters at runtime. Fig.: NGT Simulation Application
Energy Visualization: The goal is to develop an application for analyzing the simulation results. An energy monitor will depict the current energy flows and consumptions within the train. With this monitor the driver should be trained to drive in a power efficient way. Fig.: NGT Energy Visualization
Track Visualization: For the visualization of the track a graphical 3D application is developed. This application should provide the driver with an immersive environment. Fig.: NGT Track Visualization
DLR Simulation and Software Technology Tasks
Our task is the development of the simulation application based on the functional mockup interface. Furthermore, the development of the energy visualization and the necessary communication layer is developed within our department. Project Partners
Project Runtime
01.01.2015 – 31.12.2016