Design of an integrated control and data acquisition system for a high-bandwidth, hydrostatic, transient engine dynamometer

Researchers at the Powertrain Control Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a high bandwidth, hydrostatic dynamometer system for transient testing of automotive engines. The bandwidth of this system is sufficiently high to perform repeatable transient tests on engines and can operate in a hardware-in-the-loop configuration where the dynamic equations for powertrain components connected to the engine can be simulated in real-time to calculate virtual engine loads. This paper describes the dynamometer control, data acquisition, and engine control sub-systems that make up the transient system. Specifically, this paper describes how four separate systems were combined to act as one integrated system that controls both the engine and dynamometer while simultaneously handling all data acquisition requirements. Introductory materials that establish the utility of the system and its basic operational principles are also included.