Integration of mechatronic design tools with CAMeL, exemplified by vehicle convoy control design

The problems of designing mechatronic systems (e.g. heterogeneous system components and their design methods, complexity) cause the need for an open, integrated design environment. This paper details the process-oriented approach of the software environment CAMeL (Computer-Aided Mechatronics Laboratory) to the integration of different tools and methods. Characteristic concepts and implementation features of experiments in this "laboratory in the computer" are presented. An example from the field of vehicle dynamics (vehicle convoy control) demonstrates typical experiments in the modelling, analysis and synthesis phases of the design cycle of mechatronic systems.