Simulation of Automotive Electronic Systems Using Imported Experimental Data

Several automotive electrical systems can be analysed and optimised using circuit simulators and simple equivalent circuits. However, there are several cases in which it is easier to include data collected from experimental measurements like the very complex signals derived from electrical conducted noises. This work intends to show an approach to improve the accuracy of such simulations by using as a tool the importing of experimental data. Nowadays, this procedure became very easy due to the storing features already available on modern measurement systems that allows to record the measured data in simple and useful computer files (usually in ASCII format) for exporting to the simulation environment. As an example, it is considered the complex voltage waveforms resulting from the solenoid valve switching. The simulation of capacitive and inductive couplings between two parallel cables over a ground plane is also shown. Thus, this methodology can enable us to study the influence of very complex waveforms on electrical circuits and even to simplify and improve the accuracy of the modeling process.