Advances in Automobile Engineering
Open Access

Abstract

Development of the KIIRA EV SMACK Master Controller Logic

Pauline Korukundo, Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa, Paul Isaac Musasizi, Dennis Kibalama, Richard Madanda and Victor Tumwine

The growth in number and complexity of controlled electrical sub systems in the modern car has created a need for centralized information interchange point. The master controller provides this centralized unit. It interacts with all other networked control electronics to control the dynamic driving demands. In a hybrid vehicle, the master controller not only provides a communication interface, but also an efficient energy management, coordination and performance during the various vehicle-specific drive cycles. The control complexity at the master control unit is greater in the hybrid car because of the extra energy resources integrated into the vehicle. This work presents the design, implementation and testing of the Kiira EV SMACK vehicle master control unit. In the Kiira EV SMACK, the master controller oversees the human machine interfaces, low voltage electronics, the motor and generator controllers, battery management and thermal management systems. A model based design approach was followed to implement the controller logic for initiation of startup of the low level controllers and implementation of a power source switching strategy. The switching strategy is based on speed demands and available energy resources (battery state of charge and fuel capacity).