Embedded high performance computing in battery electric vehicles (3082)

Target group: Automotive Engineering

At Research and Development you will be a key contributor to the next generation outstanding luxury cars from Volvo. Together with other engineers around the world, you and your team will create innovative human-centric car technology that makes life less complicated and more enjoyable for people. Are you interested in design and connected car technology? Do you share our passion for people, the environment and our urge to create a superior driving experience? Research and Development is the place for you to prosper.

This thesis work will be carried out within the Department of Propulsion Energy Systems, which is a part of VCC´s Research and Development organization.

We are dedicated to electrify our brand in a broad effort with Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). At the engineering department of Propulsion Energy Systems, we are responsible for design and delivery of the technical solution of Traction Battery systems for electrified vehicles. We cover the complete product development of mechanical, electrical and software. We are the core competence center in Northern Europe in regards to Lithium Ion technology and automotive battery systems.

Volvo Cars Controls & Calibration group is a new group focused on the SW functionality and the Li-Ion expertize for the Traction Battery, used in electrified vehicles. We are taking major steps in taking SW-development In-house and performing more In-house calibration to reach improved results. Much of the In-house SW is based on novel, advanced control systems that needs experienced engineers to calibrate.

Background

In electric vehicles, battery management systems (BMS) play an important role. The battery management system (BMS) of battery-electric road vehicles must ensure an optimal operation of the electrochemical storage system to guarantee for safety of passengers, durability and reliability. Besides the measurement hardware for data acquisition, the real key function of the BMS is corresponding algorithms that provide the necessary information about the state (e.g. energy and performance) of the battery.

To cope with the increasing complexity of BMS software to engage single battery cell monitoring, more calculation performance is required. To increase computation power of embedded systems, multicore controllers are used. The migration to multicore devices requires complex changes to system and software to obtain optimal performance. Parallelization is the central challenge of developing a multicore environment.

Scope

In this work, algorithms for many-core controllers shall be implemented to realize individual cell monitoring and management. Since batteries are highly non-linear, nonlinear filtering methods like Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), Particle Filter (PF) or Moving Horizon Estimation shall be applied.

  • Software shall be designed and implemented onto target platform to be used in real battery packs
  • Non-linear filtering frameworks shall be optimized for multi-core embedded controller
  • Implement the adaptive algorithm as functions in Matlab/Simulink within an intelligent modular SW architecture and generate code

The students will work in the Traction battery department together with our teams of Controls & Calibration Engineers and SCRUM SW team. Weperform system level SW development and simulations.

Profile

  • We are looking for students that are highly motivated and have genuine interest in Embedded Systems and Control Theory
  • The student(s) preferably have a history with embedded systems and multi-core / parallelization. The student(s) should ideally be familiar with software such as Matlab, and embedded coding environment
  • Communication skills are important since information will be needed from several different parts of the company.

Duration

  • Period: 1 semester, 30 ECTS points
  • Starting date: January 2018
  • Number of students: Suitable for 1-2 student

Application

  • Attach your resume and cover letter stating your interests within the given area and your thoughts and credentials
  • Please note that applications arriving later then the last application date will not be taken in consideration
  • Selection will be ongoing during the application period

In case of questions, please contact:

Christian Fleischer (Manager, Traction Battery, Controls & Calibration),

Apply at

We would like to receive your application as soon as possible, but no later than 2017-11-24.

About Volvo Car Group

The future belongs to those who are empowered by a great idea and have the ability to carry it out. At Volvo Car Group, our vision is clear: "To be the world's most progressive and desired premiumcar brand" by simplifying people's lives. We have bold targets when it comes to innovation, sales and customer satisfaction and to make this happen, we need talented people onboard. People with passion, energy, business sense and the drive to innovate. People that want to create the next generation Volvo cars in a global, dynamic and respectful environment. We will support you to reach your full potential. Join us on this exciting journey into the future.